Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Greenhouse Gases Concentration in Nigeria from 2019 to 2023 Using Sentinel-5P

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are critical components of Earth’s atmosphere, playing an essential role in maintaining the planet’s energy. This study analysed the spatial and temporal dynamics of GHGs - carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions in Nigeria from 2019 to 2023, utilizing satellite data from the Sentinel-5 Precursor processed through Google Earth Engine (GEE) and results were obtained through JavaScript coding. Findings reveal distinct emission patterns: CO levels fluctuated moderately, peaking at 0.043 mol/m² in 2020 before declining to 0.041 mol/m² by 2023, suggesting incremental air quality improvements. Conversely, CH₄ concentrations rose steadily from 1,878.17 ppb to 1,924.82 ppb, linked to escalating fossil fuel extraction and agricultural practices. NO₂ exhibited a consistent upward trajectory, reaching 0.0000240 mol/m² in 2023, driven by industrial expansion and vehicular emissions. O₃ levels remained stable near 0.120 ppm, while SO₂ emissions, predominantly from industrial sources, increased marginally to 0.0000063 mol/m² by 2023. The study underscores Nigeria’s evolving GHGs profile, emphasizing the urgent need for stringent emission controls, particularly targeting industrial pollutants and methane sources. Policy recommendations include transitioning to renewable energy, enforcing stricter industrial regulations, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to curb rising emissions. Although CO reductions indicate partial progress, the persistent rise in CH₄, NO₂, and SO₂ highlights gaps in current mitigation strategies. This study advocates for integrated waste management systems and enhanced monitoring frameworks to address Nigeria’s growing climate challenges and align with global sustainability goals.