An analysis of rainfall patterns in Nigeria

The paper is designed to study the rainfall patterns and its implications in Nigeria. Rainfall data from 28 stations for the period of 1970 – 2002 were collected from the Nigeria Meteorological Station, Lagos. While the vegetation map of Nigeria between 1973 and 1995 forms the basis of biodiversity change analysis. The results among others show that rainfall decreases from 1350 mm (1941–1970) to 1276 mm (1970–2002). While there is a general decrease in rainfall in Nigeria, the coastal area is experiencing slight increase. Apart from the general southward shift in rainfall patterns, the duration has also reduced from 80-360 (1941-1970) to 40-280 (1970-2002) rainy days per year. This has created ecological destabilisation and altered the pattern of the vegetation belt especially in the northern fringes of the country. The rainfall pattern has also enhanced wind erosion/desertification, soil erosion and coastal flooding in the north, east and coastal areas of Nigeria respectively. With these impacts, the paper therefore recommends some adaptive and mitigation measures that could help to revert the current situation.Keywords: changing climate, vegetation belts, rainfall pattern and shiftGlobal Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 4(2) 2005: 139-14

The effects of climate on commercial activities in Southern Nigeria

Since man and his activities are under the vagaries of weather and climate, this paper is therefore designed to critically analyse the impacts of weather and climate on the patronage of some selected commercial sectors in Southern Nigeria. Four years (2000 and 2003) climatic data of temperature and rainfall were collected from Nigeria Meteorological Station, Lagos and monthly sales record from six commercial sectors (Ice cream, soft drinks, and water; transportation; building/construction; recreation; departmental stores and newspaper) between 2000 and 2003 were collected using questionnaires. The data were analysed using time series analysis, product moment correlation analysis, and extreme variability index. The results show fluctuation in sales of all the commodities from month to month in line with the varying weather elements. The most and least weather sensitive was (ice cream, water and soft drinks) and departmental stores. Sales were generally higher in all the commodities analysed during the dry season than during the rainy season. Apart from the impact of weather and climate there is sharp increase in sales in virtually all the commercial activities in the months of December and April due to Yuletide and Easter festivities. For these reasons it is therefore recommended among others that entrepreneurs and traders should seek for, and adhere to weather forecast and predictions (especially the long-term forecasts) to avoid unnecessary damages and lost occasioned by adverse weather. Keywords: climate, commercial activities, sales, commodities, and yuletide Global Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 4(1&2) 2005: 43-4