Mainstreaming Climate Change into the EIA Process in Nigeria: Perspectives from Projects in the Niger Delta Region

Climate change incorporation in environmental assessment is a growing research area, particularly following the Paris agreement. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is considered in many quarters to be an important tool in factoring climate-related components in the planning and design of a project. However, many recent researches have shown that EIA has, so far, struggled in the attempt to incorporate climate change into its procedures. This study is an attempt to evaluate the level of consideration of climate change in the EIA process in Nigeria, with particular focus on the Niger Delta region. The result of this quantitative research shows that there is a poor political will to address climate change, as reflected in the absence of climate change requirements in the EIA guidelines of Nigeria. Although, there is a growing trend in the pattern of consideration of climate change in the EIA procedures, the overall level of consideration is still a far cry from the requirements if EIA is to be considered to be an important tool in addressing challenges of climate change in Nigeria

Use of two green algae Ulva lactuca and Ulva intestinalis as bio-fertilizers

In recent years,  development have been witnessed in the market expansion of agricultural inputs and products including substances and materials that improve the functioning of soil, plants and the interactions between soil and plant. This is a very broad category of products and substances that often bring innovative solutions in the field of fertilization and crop protection.The objective of this study is to improve the production of market garden where tomato plants in nurseries from powders of two green algae Ulva lactuca and Ulva intestinalis, harvested as bio-fertilizers in the west coast of Mostaganem province. They have minimal effects on the environment, including soil, subterranean water, River and Estuary ecosystems such as Cheliff River, biodiversity and global warming.The experimental part was carried out following the method of extraction of algae and used as a bio-fertilizer on tomato to its simplicity and accuracy, which is the subject of the study of the germination, growth and the development of young plants.The results of this study showed that algal powder of Ulva lactuca and Ulva intestinalis exhibit a remarkable stimulatory effect on the cultivation of tomato, which aims to improve their production, and evident when compared to controls setup. Keywords: seaweed, Mostaganem, River Ecosystem, eco-agriculture, smart agriculture, bio-fertilizers, tomato

An Analysis of the Impacts of Bioenergy Development on Food Security in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Fossil fuel such as coal, natural gas, oil and recently shale gas are perhaps the most economically viable means for energy generation but are laden with inexhaustible environmental consequences. Thus, biofuel development has received tremendous support from all quarters in response to quest for energy security and clean energy. However, the rapid rate of development of bioenergy has also raised concern chiefly for its nexus with food security with some scholar considering it a disaster especially for countries in the global south. Due to her prime location along the equator, and the generally favourable climatic conditions all through the year, Nigeria is considered to have enormous potential for bioenergy development. Unfortunately, Nigeria is also highly ranked in the 2018 Global Hunger Index (GHI) of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Rested mainly on exploratory approach, this study analyses the bioenergy potential of Nigeria and the implications of the fast-rising market on food security in the Nigerian context. Critical investigation on the food crop-bioenergy trade-offs was conducted while bioenergy development implications were analysed in the context of the four dimensions of food security. Lastly, mitigative measures to bioenergy development impacts were discussed and one key proposition is need to strengthen the second and third generation technology for biofuel production in Nigeria

Risk analysis and development of algae biofuel from aquatic and terrestrial systems

Production of algae biofuel from aquatic and terrestial systems are global emerging strategies for the reduction of the overreliance on fossil fuel based on its potentials to promote the green environment, which can be a panacea to the global warming, climate change and other earthly challenges affecting global evolution. Algae as bioenergetic resource has the capacity to solve the uneven energy supply of developing countries. This study adopts an exploratory research appraoch and uses a contextual SWOT model to assess what needs to be done on the premise of the prevailing situation in Nigeria and strategically analyzes the risk and potential benefits of biodiesel production from algae. The model helps to examine the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the algae biofuel production and utilization peculiar to Nigeria. The result showed that there are prospects for the algae biofuel implementation in Nigeria, though with various limitations. Some of the challenges anticipated could be resolved with adequate government and private stakeholders support in terms of policies, funding and sustainable management. The main focus of this paper is on micro-algae, known for their rapid growth rate and suitability as feedstock for biodiesel (third generation of bio energy). With Nigeria's total economic dependence on petroleum oils, algae derived biofuel could provide options as well as aid environmental sustainability. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Evaluating urban land-use demarcation and implementation for various urban functions using GIS and survey-based data: The case of Abuja City, Nigeria

Urban planning implementation is a crucial process of urban planning to improve, attain, and maintain urban sustainability globally. However, the implementation process for land use demarcated for various urban functions is being confronted by various challenges in the Global South. This study aims to integrate questionnaire surveys of urban and regional planning experts and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in order to investigate the level of urban planning implementation of land use demarcated for various urban functions to support strategic actions for urban sustainability. Using Abuja, Nigeria, as a case study, an urban plan, urban impervious surface map, and questionnaire data were collected, and an integrated method analysis, including qualitative and quantitative (descriptive, Euclidean Distance Modelling, and Linear Regression Modelling) was deployed. Key findings show that the vast majority of experts in urban and regional planning perceive the implementation of all land use for various urban functions to be between moderate and very high levels, except that of industrial land use perceived to be between moderate and low levels. GIS findings show that, while land uses demarcated for transportation, commercial, educational, and institutional functions are positively and significantly associated with the urban impervious surface, industrial land use and urban green spaces are negatively associated. Findings show that abuse of official privileges by distorting master plans, political interference, compromise by public servants, and inadequate funding are key challenges for urban planning implementation on land use demarcated for various urban functions. The findings in this study are crucial for strategic decision makers in urban planning to improve the implementation process for various urban land-use functions and urban sustainability in the Global South, in general, and in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular