PROF. A. A. ENUNEKU

This study examines how the decline of vegetation has affected rainfall patterns in Abuja, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2024. Using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and CHIRPS rainfall data, the research analyzed land use and rainfall changes over time through Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS. Findings revealed a major shift in Abuja’s landscape during the study period. Tree cover, which accounted for about 71.81% of the area in 2015, declined sharply to 23.71% by 2024, while built-up and farmland areas expanded significantly due to rapid urban growth. Rainfall trends also became more irregular, showing a noticeable decrease after 2018. Statistical analysis indicated a strong negative relationship (r = -0.76) between vegetation cover and rainfall, suggesting that as green spaces declined, rainfall reduced correspondingly. This loss of vegetation has weakened natural cooling and moisture recycling processes, contributing to hotter and drier conditions across the city. The findings show that the conversion of natural green areas into concrete surfaces has disrupted Abuja’s local hydrological balance and may be influencing recent changes in rainfall distribution. The study concludes that protecting and restoring green spaces is essential for improving rainfall stability and climate resilience. It recommends the implementation of sustainable urban planning strategies, reforestation initiatives, and stronger environmental policies to restore ecological balance and promote a healthier urban environment in Abuja.

Major contributions to the pollution in the atmosphere are Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) from cement factories as well as other industrial activities in Urban and Rural areas. The study area covers Ibese, Paplanto, Abeokuta, Ewekoro and
other rural areas as they play host to either cement factories or congested urban. This
research compared the amount of NO2 and SO2 released into the atmosphere at Ibese, Papalanto and Abeokuta. Sentinel 5P data for the study area was used to monitor these pollutants. Google earth engine editor was used to extract the pollutants over the study area. The duration considered was a 4-month interval within year 2019 to 2021 which was used to present 3 spatial maps per year resulting in a total of 9 maps for both pollutants. SO2 concentration ranged between -0.000161 to 0.0000782; -0.000206 to
0.000162; 0.000194 to 0.000228, for 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. NO2 concentration ranged between 0.0000459 to 0.0000846, 0.0000491 to 0.0000947, 0.0000565 to 0.000122 mol/m2 for 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. The spatial distribution for both pollutants were regrouped into 4 classes namely low, moderate, high and very high. Ibese fell once within the low class, seven times within the moderate class, five times each within the high and very high class respectively considering both the NO2 and SO2 maps. Papalanto fell twice within the low class, once within the moderate class, six times within the high class and eight times within the
very high class. Abeokuta fell six times within the moderate class and twelve times within the high class. The most dominant zone is the moderate zone followed by the high zone for SO2 and NO2 between 2019 and 2021. The frequency of occurrence of Papalanto and Ibese within the peak zone of SO2 and NO2 was very high when
compared to the frequency of occurrence of Abeokuta which never fell beyond the high
zone of either pollutant. This was attributed to the cement factory working nonstop located within Papalanto and Ibese.