Lagos City Research Articles

Radiological assessment of commonly food crops in Southwestern Nigeria

Natural radionuclides are present in food items at different levels and are influenced by factors like background radiation, climate, and agricultural practices. These radionuclides play a crucial role in humans' internal radiation exposure. Notably, radionuclides within the decay series 238U and 232Th as well as 40K are significant concerns in radiation protection due to their prevalence and potential health risks. The activity concentrations of radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in several food crops consumed within Lagos city in Nigeria were measured using gamma spectrometry. The concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 0.90 to 55.30, BDL (Below Detection Limit) to 161.60 and 10.30 to 1075.20 Bqkg−1, respectively. The average radionuclide activity concentrations are below the acceptable global level, or the worldwide average values set by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation in 2000 (UNSCEAR, 2000), which are 35, 30, and 400 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The study calculated the annual effective dose for individuals consuming the studied food items, and the annual internal dose from ingesting was found to be 8.95 × 10–04 μSvy−1. It’s noteworthy that this computed value is below the worldwide value of 0.32 mSv y−1 set for the public. Additionally, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) value was 3.13 × 10−3 μSvy−1, which is within the world safe limit value (2.9 × 10−4 μSvy−1). Therefore, there is no potential radiological risk associated with the measured data.

The Impact of Vehicle Engine Characteristics on Vehicle Exhaust Emissions for Transport Modes in Lagos City

ABSTRACT The study delves into how vehicle engine characteristics impact the release of air pollutants from various vehicle fleets in Lagos, Nigeria. It involved the direct measurement of emissions from the exhaust pipes of 88 vehicles using gas analyzers. The vehicle fleets encompassed motorcycles, tricycles, private cars, minibuses, large buses, and trucks. A statistical analysis was conducted on carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to develop a model equation based on vehicle type, engine type, vehicle age, and purchase status. Results indicate that personal cars and minibuses predominantly emit CO from gasoline engines, whereas large buses and trucks significantly contribute to NOx emissions from diesel engines. Further scrutiny revealed that 66% of the vehicles examined were over 10 years old, resulting in a 65% increase in emission levels. Approximately 60% of gasoline and 75% of diesel vehicles exceeded the permissible emission limits, leading to air quality deterioration and heightened health risks. The study underscores the risks associated with ageing vehicles and different engine types, emphasizing the imperative for a gradual transition to low-carbon or electric vehicles in developing African cities to combat air pollution and mitigate health hazards.

Urban Growth Monitoring and Prediction Using Remote Sensing Urban Monitoring Indices Approach and Integrating CA-Markov Model: A Case Study of Lagos City, Nigeria

As one of the swiftly advancing megacities globally, Lagos faces significant challenges in managing its urban expansion. Mainly, this study focuses on monitoring and predicting urban growth using a comprehensive approach incorporating Global Land 30 (GL30), satellite-based nighttime light observations, and built-up and population density data. The application of remote sensing techniques, combined with utilizing the GL30 dataset, provides an effective means to monitor and predict urban growth trends and patterns. The major patterns occurred from 2000 to 2020, including increased cultivated land; reductions in grasslands, shrublands, and wetlands; and major urbanization. Predictive models indicate that urbanization will continue. Furthermore, employing the Cellular Automata (CA) Markov model in land-use and land-cover (LULC) change prediction. The findings revealed significant changes in LULC over the two decades. Particularly, the percentage of artificial terrain increased from 17.016% to 25.208%, and the area under cultivation increased significantly, rising from 46,771 km2 (1.238%) in 2000 to 75,283 km2 (1.993%) in 2020. Grasslands fell from 7.839% to 1.875%, while forest cover somewhat increased, climbing from 39.319% to 43.081%. Additionally, marshes fell from 9.788% to 5.646%, while shrublands decreased from 4.421% to 2.640%. Surprisingly, bare ground decreased sharply from 0.677% to 0.003%. To forecast future LULC changes, the study also used a Markov Chain Transition Matrix. According to the data, there is a 3.54% chance that agricultural land will become urban, converting it from being used for agriculture to urban development. On the other hand, just 1.05% of forested regions were likely to become municipal areas. This study offers foundations for the upcoming research to enhance urban growth models and sustainability strategies in the face of rising urbanization and environmental concerns in the region, as well as laying the groundwork for informed decision-making in the region.

Nighttime Lights and Urban Expansion: Illuminating the Correlation between Built-Up Areas of Lagos City and Changes in Climate Parameters

The rapid urbanization of Lagos City has resulted in an expansion of urban and nighttime lights, which, in turn, places a significant burden on natural resources. This burden exacerbates the adverse impacts of changes in climate parameters, underscoring the need for measures to mitigate its effects. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between economic development, population growth, urban expansion, and climate change in Lagos City over two decades. GIS and remote sensing methods were used to process nighttime light, Landsat images, changes in climate parameters, and NDVI data to measure Lagos’ sustainability level. The results show that: (1) between 2000 and 2020, nighttime light coverage grew from 175.53 km2 to 631.16 km2. Lagos’ GDP grew by 88.9%, while the population increased from 13.4 million in 2000 to 26 million in 2019. (2) The built-up areas significantly increased from 13.0% in 2000 to 33.6% in 2020, while vegetation land declined, decreasing from 63.7% in 2000 to 46.4% in 2020. (3) Furthermore, Lagos City has experienced changes in climate parameters, with a decrease in annual rainfall from 2954.81 mm in 2000 to 1348.81 mm in 2020 and an increase in the average maximum temperature from 31.56 °C in 2000 to 31.79 °C in 2020. However, the rapid growth of cities has brought about significant environmental impacts. A strong relationship exists between horizontal urban development and nighttime light, indicating that urban areas encroach on natural landscapes as Lagos grows. Then, there is a relationship between urban development and vegetation and between temperature and vegetation. A compact city planning approach, which prioritizes vertical development and efficient land use to mitigate urban sprawl and preserve green spaces, is recommended.

Efficiency of distressed property sales in Lagos city, Nigeria

With recourse to data obtained from the online multiple listing services (MLS) of the Nigerian Property Centre, this study evaluated the efficiency of sale of distressed properties in Lagos city using a 6-month interval of observations protocol, comprising of listings of less than 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 13 to 18 months, and 19 to 24 months respectively. Time-on-the-market (TOM) in this study was perceived to be the duration (in months) from the listing date to the date of data collection. Results of selected parametric and non- parametric statistical tests indicated that there was an insignificant difference in the observation of distressed properties that have remained on the market for at most 6 months and those with marketing time beyond 6 months. Similarly, properties listed for distressed sales in Lagos city were found to have continuously attracted lower purchase rates in the same manner as the non-distressed properties. These results avowed the phenomenon of inefficient sale of distressed properties in Lagos city, Nigeria. It was recommended by the study that individuals and institutions in property brokerage business in Lagos city should conduct a risk assessment of the diminishing likelihood of distressed sales and the incremental losses associated with lengthy listing periods.

Slums Evolution and Sustainable Urban Growth: A Comparative Study of Makoko and Badia-East Areas in Lagos City

This research addresses the evolution of slums in two specific areas of Lagos City, a consequence of rapid urbanization in developing economies. The study aims to analyze the key characteristics of slums’ evolution while analyzing mathematical spatial changes within the Badia-East and Makoko slum areas in two decades, focusing on promoting sustainable urban growth. The integration of Remote Sensing (RS) technology and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools has dramatically facilitated the monitoring of Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes over two decades. This research used Landsat imagery acquired in 2000, 2010, and 2020 to meet our research aims. The research applied supervised classification and the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) for image mapping and mathematical-based analysis. Research created a spatial framework using grid-cell maps, performed change detection, and generated detailed maps to support our analysis. A comparative analysis was also performed in the selected areas with a different history in slum management systems. The findings reveal that both Makoko and Badia-East exhibit slum-like characteristics. Makoko witnessed a significant increase in informal built-up expansion of 27.6% and 7.7% between 2000 and 2010 and between 2010 and 2020, respectively. These changes converted 34.65 hectares of non-built-up land in Makoko into built-up areas. Conversely, Badia-East reported an increase in built-up areas only between 2000 and 2010, which amounted to 8.5%. However, the government’s intervention caused a decrease of 12.7% in built-up areas of Badia-East between 2010 and 2020. The study underscores the urgent need for slum clearance and upgrading initiatives in Makoko, like those implemented in Badia-East between 2013 and 2017. The conclusion drawn from the study of Makoko’s informal built-up areas is that it is causing adverse effects on human life and the environment. The expansion has resulted in an increase in air and water pollution, which is having adverse effects. Therefore, the study recommends upgrading and clearing out Makoko and suggests taking lessons from the successful experience in Badia-East. The study also highlights the importance of prioritizing community needs and voices to ensure efficient resource utilization while safeguarding the well-being of future generations.

The impact of traffic mobility measures on vehicle emissions for heterogeneous traffic in Lagos City

Emissions from vehicular traffic are one of the key drivers of urban environmental air pollution, degrading the ambient air quality in many African cities and across the globe. This study sought to assess the impact of traffic mobility measures on the emission levels of air pollutants from vehicle exhaust in Lagos, Nigeria. Traffic flow and vehicle mix were collected daily during morning, afternoon, and evening peak periods along selected arterial and two-lane collector roadways. Simultaneously, five (5) air pollutants from vehicular traffic emissions were observed at distinct monitoring stations along the roadways using portable gas detectors. The traffic flow and mobility measures were inputted into a multiple exponential model to estimate the concentration of each pollutant. The result of the vehicle fleet composition revealed 3.5%, 4.5%, 57%, 32%, 1.5%, and 2% for motorcycles, tricycles, personal cars, minibuses, large buses, and heavy goods vehicles, respectively, on the two-lane road and 10%, 35%, 27%, 10%, and 18% for motorcycles, personal cars, minibuses, large buses, and heavy goods vehicles, respectively, on the arterial. The results of a multiple exponential regression model (MER) showed significant contributions from traffic flow, speed, vehicle fleet proportion, and pollutant concentration (p <0.05). However, the impact on ambient air quality revealed severe pollution levels for CO and PM2.5, while SO2, NO2, and PM10 showed moderate, poor, and poor pollution levels. This study has provided evidence on how pollutant emissions increase rapidly during peak traffic conditions in heterogeneous traffic on different classes of roads and recommended policies for managing vehicle fleets and traffic congestion with the aim of reducing the impact on the ambient air quality and health of the public on heavily trafficked roadways in sub-Saharan African cities.

Exploring the Contemporary Challenges of Urbanization and the Role of Sustainable Urban Development: A Study of Lagos City, Nigeria

As urbanization accelerates, sustainable approaches are necessary to counter the adverse environmental impacts. The study investigates the multifaceted challenges of Lagos City due to urbanization and evaluates the effectiveness of sustainable urban development in tackling these problems. It employed a mixed-methods approach to provide informed decisions for liveable urban environments. Census data, satellite imagery, interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions provided a comprehensive understanding of Lagos’s urbanization and its effects. Findings reveal pressing problems such as housing shortages, infrastructure strain, traffic congestion, waste management difficulties, and socio-economic disparities in Lagos City. Local authorities and NGOs have implemented sustainable urban development initiatives, including transport upgrades, green space promotion, waste management, and housing solutions. Such case studies have revealed various interventions, such as informal settlement transformation, renewable energy integration, and urban regeneration. However, persistent issues still exist due to the city’s urbanization. Therefore, Integrated urban planning, inclusivity in policy-making, and technological advances are essential for tackling these challenges. The findings contribute to the academic discourse by providing insights into Lagos City’s urbanization and practical implications for sustainable urban development. It also highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to build a prosperous, equitable, and eco-friendly city.

Carnival and Afikpo Njenje-Masquerade: examining an indigenous tradition in a postmodernist parade performance

Carnivals as seen in Nigeria’s performance space have become tourism products that draw from traditional indigenous practices and the ever unfolding forms of modernity in various contexts. The concept of trado-modernity formulated to describe and address the fusion of the traditional and the modern is an apt coinage. The masquerade and its contents are largely indigenous and traditional; parts of the execution and consumption of this phenomenon in recent times reflect aspects of postmodernist approaches. To this end, the indigenous masquerade has become a constant attraction as seen in most of the carnival celebrations in Nigeria, including the Lagos City Carnival, the Carni-Riv in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Carnival Calabar and the Abuja Carnival in the Federal Capital city of Nigeria, to mention but a few. The core artistic mix of the masquerades: masks, songs, drumming, loud and animated dances, opulent and elaborate costuming are indigenous art forms which are conspicuous similarities shared with the carnival art. Scholars have engaged these phenomena from varying perspectives including touristic economic potentials, cultural representation, sexuality and misrepresentation of the female body, security and individual rights, etc. However, little or no academic enquiry has investigated the seeming attraction or ‘marriage of convenience’ between these two art forms. This study therefore sets out to examine the similarities between the indigenous masquerade (Afikpo-Njenje) and the modern carnival (Ebonyi State 2019 Carnival).

Tracking Urban Footprint on Extreme Precipitation in an African Megacity

Abstract This study contributes to the body of current knowledge about the urban effect on extreme precipitation (EP) by investigating the city–EP interaction over Lagos, Nigeria. This is a unique, first-time study that adds a “missing piece” of this information about the African continent to the comprehensive global urban precipitation “puzzle.” The convection-permitting Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model is employed within an ensemble simulation framework using combinations of different physical schemes and boundary/initial conditions to detect the urban signal on an extreme rainfall event that occurred on 30 May 2006. WRF simulations are verified against satellite-estimated and in situ observations, and the results from the best-performing ensemble members are used for analysis. The results show that the control simulation with urban representation generated 20%–30% more rainfall over the urban area than the nonurban sensitivity simulation, in which the city is replaced by forest. Physical mechanisms behind the differences were revealed. We found that the urbanization in Lagos reduced evapotranspiration, resulting in the increase of sensible heating (by 75 W m−2). This further enhances the urban heat-island effect (+1.5 K of air surface temperature), facilitating horizontal convergence and boosting daytime sea breeze. As a result, more moisture is transported from the southern sea area to inland areas; the moisture then converges over Lagos city, creating favorable conditions for enhancing convection and extreme-rainfall-generating processes.

Focus on the Impact of Rail Transport Services on Economic Development in Lagos City, Nigeria

Focus on the Impact of Rail Transport Services on Economic Development in Lagos City, Nigeria

Land Use/Land Cover Changes Detection in Lagos City of Nigeria Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Land Use/Land Cover Changes Detection in Lagos City of Nigeria Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Use of Mobile Phones in Nigeria to Prevent Crime

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of mobile phones by police officers in crime prevention in Lagos city.&#x0D; Methodology: This study employed random stratified sampling procedure. Questionnaires were used for data collection for both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data was coded and analyzed thematically after interpretation of theme while descriptive data was analyzed using descriptive statistics by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0).&#x0D; Findings: Mobile phone was found to be an effective tool in prevention of crime in Lagos City. Mobile phone uses such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, emails and short text messages were found through adapted technology acceptance model (TAM) as to effectively contribute to crime prevention based on respondents’ perspective.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study concludes that police effort to use mobile technology was found to have significant effects on crime prevention. &#x0D; Recommendation: The study recommends development of customized police mobile phone applications and enhancements.

Cultural Politics and Youth Peer Interaction in Nigeria

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of cultural political orientations and the formation of such political orientations in Lagos City. Methodology: The study employed the qualitative method in collecting and analyzing data. Purposive sampling and snowballing were used in the study. The study used oral interviews in the collection of primary data. Qualitative Data was arranged in a thematic way, and then analyzed. Results: The study revealed that the family and media socialize the youth in cultural politics while the peer, the school, and its environment does not but creates awareness of the diverse communities in the society. Conclusion: The study concluded that there are several points of cultural peer interaction among the youth. Recommendation: The study recommends to resolve areas of contradiction in politics of the young people by entrenching good values in the constitution to prevent the family, the peer, the school and its environment. This can avoid manipulating the youth along cultural lines during political peer interaction.

Financial Literacy and Financial Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Lagos City, Nigeria

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises' (MSMEs') financial literacy and performance are critical to their overall survival in a competitive business environment. The study addressed the following specific objectives: To determine the level of financial literacy of MSME entrepreneurs; To determine the financial performance of MSMEs; To determine the relationship between financial literacy and financial performance, and To determine the problems encountered by MSMEs entrepreneurs in the management of their businesses The study was guided by the upper echelon theory and competency theory. The study adopted a descriptive-correlational research design in which a total sample of 100 MSMEs was conveniently selected inside Alaba International Market, Lagos City, Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered as the main data collection tool, which included estimates of the MSME financial statements such as profitability, liquidity, and leverage for the years of 2017, 2018, and 2019. An inferential statistical tool, such as correlation analysis, was applied to test the relationship between the two main variables.The study found that the majority of the entrepreneurs had appropriate levels of knowledge, behavior, and attitude in managing their business finances but were inconsistent in putting these concepts into practice while making decisions that affected their business operations. The study also found that the MSMEs for the three-year periods assessed were not profitable due to low sales, insufficient support from stakeholders had low liquidity due to poor sales and lack of cash flow management, and incurred more debts that were diverted to other activities that did not add value to their business operations. The null hypothesis was rejected, implying that financial literacy had a significant and positive effect on the financial performance of MSMEs. Moreover, poor access to bank financing was found to be the major problem impeding the expansion and growth of MSMEs in the study area. As a result, the study concluded that the proposed recommendations would serve as the foundation for addressing the issues raised in the study, thereby assisting MSMEs in improving their financial literacy and business performance in the long run.

"A Tale of Two Cities": Cemetery Heterotopia and Spatial Relations in Lagos City.

What does cemetery teach us about the social world? How do spatial configurations of cemetery mirror urban social realities? In what ways can the understanding of spatial order of necropolis contribute to the episteme of spatial relations? In this paper, I juxtapose space practices in the cemetery with spatial relations and practices in the city of Lagos to frame an alternative way of imagining and writing about cityscapes and a new approach of thinking about social taxonomies such as gender, class, race, ethnicity and power. Following Foucault's theory of heterotopia and relational ontology of space this paper frames cemetery as a counter-site to the city. Drawing from oral interviews, participant observation and archival document, the paper argues that cemetery is a container that encloses different sites and sets of social relations as well as lived experiences.

Modeling and mapping the spatial–temporal changes in land use and land cover in Lagos: A dynamics for building a sustainable urban city

Lagos is Africa's most populous megacity and one of the world's fastest-growing urban areas. Lagos city's land use and land cover (LU/LC) classes have changed dramatically in recent decades as a result of its continuing population growth and other human and anthropogenic activities. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development must be adopted in order to preserve the available land cover classes in Lagos. Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to make cities and human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and long-term. The use of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to track the progress of SDG 11 is an essential strategy. Remote sensing and geographic information systems were used to model and analyze the data in this study. To achieve this aim, remotely sensed data, such as Landsat 7 ETM + and 8 OLI, was used to determine the rate of changes in Lagos from 2010 to 2020 by adopting the Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC) and then project the likely changes that may occur by 2025 and 2030. Observed ground truthing information was adopted for validation and for checking the accuracy of the classification. The result shows that from 2010 to 2015 and to 2020, built-up area had increased from 11.73 % to 12.81 % and finally to 29.51 %, while agricultural land declined by 11.84 % to 3.37 % and then to 2.99 %. Water bodies and wetland percentages decreased from 19.00 % and 19.50 % in 2010 to 17.39 % and 8.48 % in 2015, and to 18.37 % and 16.92 % in 2020. Forest land and bare land classes have also changed from 25.4 % and 12.52 % in 2010, to 33.37 % and 24.58 % in 2015, and to 18.10 % and 14.11 % in 2020. The study shows that remote sensing and GIS are excellent tools for monitoring the environment and for the development of a sustainable city.

COVID-19 induced restriction in developing countries and its impacts on pollution load: case study of Lagos mega city

Sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic globally in 2020 warranted urgent course of actions to guide against its escalation. The first and immediate measure adopted by several nations was the imposition of restriction on transport, industrial, commercial and social activities; and this step has thus, provided a platform for the impact assessment of the restrictions on ambient air quality, especially in developing nations such as Nigeria. The levels of four criteria air pollutants (PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and PM10) in ambient air of Lagos city before, during and after the restriction periods were compared to establish the extent of change caused by the restrictions. The results revealed a decline of 74.0, 79.7, 55.0 and 58.5% in the levels of SO2, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10, respectively during the lockdown period. The results also revealed that, despite the huge reduction in the atmospheric emissions witnessed during lockdown period, air quality within the region was still poor, as the levels of most of the pollutants were above the recommended limits. These findings suggested that apart from the restricted activities, there are other air pollution sources within the city which increased the pollution load in the ambient air. Conclusively, while the restriction led to untold economic hardship, it equally enhanced quality of ambient air. Cleaner technology is advocated to ensure reduction in the consumption of fossil fuel instead of the common practice of end-of-pipe technology, for environmental sustainability.

Evidence of paucity of residential green spaces from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract A Biophillic city reconnects man with nature through green spaces which foster mental and physical productivity. The industrial revolution ushered in a wave of technological deterministic choices at the expense of environmental deterministic processes in the fashioning of cities. The background of this research is set in the urban residential fabric of the metropolitan city of Lagos. This study is relevant because in Lagos metropolis, residential areas have a land use zoning of 52% as opposed to 2.8% for urban open spaces. The research study aims to investigate the greenness index or NDVI of three selected residential estates each representative of the residential densities (low, medium, high) in metropolitan Lagos and its indications for the abundance or dearth of residential greenspaces. The sampling frame was gotten by multi-stage random sampling and the data collection tool used was high-resolution object-oriented imagery. The data analysis made use of geo-referencing ARCGIS and ERDAS IMAGINE software. The results show the Normalized Difference Vegetation index (NDVI) values of the residential estates are low (&lt;0.2) thus revealing residential areas with negligible vegetation. In conclusion, the dearth of green spaces which are physical observed within the residential fabric of Lagos city on a ground truth basis have been substantiated by the results of this research. Therefore, it is important to consider actions to improve the greenness index of the city as well as ensure that peri-urban settlements which are rapidly developing in Lagos city do so in a sustainable manner based on green principles.

GOODNESS OF FIT TEST FOR WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL USING FIVE PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTIONS FOR SOME SELECTED CITIES IN NIGERIA

This research gives a better understanding on wind energy availability for some selected cities in Nigeria, such as Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi, Maiduguri, Abuja, Jos, Abeokuta, Lagos, Enugu, Owerri, Calabar and Benin City respectively. Twenty Years (2000-2020) average wind speed data obtained from NIMET Headquarters Abuja, were analysed and fitted with five probability density functions such as normal, Weibull, Rayleigh, lognormal and Gamma Function with fixed shape parameter (K), but different scale parameters (C) in the model. The results of goodness of fit test based on Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Anderson – Darling shows that all the probability distribution functions are accepted at maximum difference, less than their critical values, (= 0.0853 and 0.0855). While in the A-D tests, all the distribution functions hold except lognormal distribution function which is satisfactory for Jos and Abuja with an observed significant level (OSL) ranging from (0.7497 - 0.7497). Therefore, this results can be used for investors on wind power and also improve wind farm project for surface wind electrification