Abstract
This study explored how language, ecology, and the environment intersect by examining how billboard inscriptions shape public attitudes and behaviours toward environmental sanitation and health in Nigeria. The study aimed to assess public awareness of billboard messages, evaluate the influence of linguistic and visual elements on public attitudes, and determine their impact on sanitation-related behaviors. Data were collected through a self-designed questionnaire with four sections containing items on awareness, message clarity, behavioural impact, and suggestions for improvement. A total of 124 participants including students, civil servants, and self-employed individuals, were purposively and randomly selected from Epe, Eredo, Agbowa-Ikosi, and Ijebu-Ode in Lagos and Ogun States. These areas represent both rural and urban communities where environmental sanitation remains a major concern. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation to examine relationships among awareness, perception, message clarity, and behavioral outcomes. Results showed a moderately strong positive correlation between awareness and behavioural impact (r = 0.441, p < 0.01), and an average positive correlation between message clarity and behavioural impact (r = 0.316, p < 0.01). A weaker but significant correlation (r = 0.284, p < 0.01) was found between awareness and message engagement, suggesting that awareness alone may not ensure comprehension. Most respondents were young (under 30), largely female, and mainly higher education students, likely due to the online data collection method. The study recommends regularly updating visually appealing and clearly worded billboards to improve communication, waste management, pollution control, and public health practices.
Keywords: Ecolinguistics, Environmental Sanitation, Health, Billboard, Inscriptions
