AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT ACTIVITIES BETWEENNIGER AND NIGERIA IN THE FOOD SECURITY-DEPRIVED SAHELREGION OF WEST AFRICA

2026-01-19T15:36:32+00:00

Niger Republic and Nigeria are two neighboring countries in the Sahel region of West Africawhich have experienced similar forms of conflicts in the last 20 years (2005 to 2025). Though theyboth share the Sahelian landscape, tribes, religion, and culture, they are separated by artificialborders created by both the French and the British empires. While famine and security in WestAfrica have been widely studied, there remains a noticeable gap in comparative analyses that linkconflict patterns in these two countries to their respective Integrated Food Security PhaseClassification (IPC) levels of food insecurity. This study addresses that gap by examining whethera significant difference exists between the conflicts of both countries across their IPC phases.The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, integrating data from ACLED, scholarlyarticles, and grey literature such as policy reports and media publications. The findings revealthat the difference in conflicts frequency between Niger and Nigeria during food-insecurity phasesis not statistically significant. Furthermore, the analysis shows less than a 1 percent likelihoodthat the clustering patterns in both countries occurred randomly, indicating a deliberate orsystematic spatial distribution of conflict incidents. The study also identifies substantial cross-border interactions of conflict within the shared Sahelian region.

Impact of Kolanut Biochar on Corchorus olitorius Growthand Nutritional Value in Cadmium-Polluted Soil

2026-01-19T15:37:37+00:00

Jute (Corchorus olitorius), a nutritionally significant crop, faces severe threats from cadmium(Cd) contamination, primarily originating from industrial waste, which poses substantialhealth risks to consumers. This study investigated the effectiveness of kolanut-derived biochar,produced via pyrolysis at 400 °C, in mitigating Cd toxicity and enhancing the growth andnutritional quality of jute cultivated in Cd-contaminated loamy soil. The experimental setupinvolved twelve pots subjected to various treatments: a control, Cd-only (27mg CdCl₂), and Cdcombined with either 1% or 3% biochar. Over four weeks, physiological parameters,chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake were meticulously monitored. The findings revealeda significant reduction in chlorophyll content across all biochar treatments, with the 3%biochar application exhibiting the lowest values. While 1% biochar showed a marginalimprovement in plant height, the higher concentration (3%) led to a notable decrease inessential mineral elements such as magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in both leaves andshoots. This suggests that the induction of nutrient imbalance and potential competitiveinteractions with metals. Although kolanut pod biochar demonstrated some partialameliorative effects against Cd stress, its overall efficacy was limited, and in certain instances,it increased the negative impacts on nutrient uptake. These results stress the importance ofsite-specific considerations for biochar application, underlining the necessity for optimizedconcentrations, extended study durations, and the exploration of diverse biochar types toachieve effective phytoremediation in soils contaminated with cadmium.

AN EVALUATION OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND SERVICE QUALITY ATRAYFIELD RESORT, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

2026-01-19T16:22:16+00:00

This study investigated customer satisfaction at Rayfield Tourism Resort, a prominent touristdestination in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combiningliterature review, direct field observation, structured oral interviews, and questionnairesadministered to 120 visitors. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling based on theirattendance at the resort during the study period. Data were analyzed using descriptive statisticaltechniques. Findings revealed a mixed assessment of the resort’s performance. Seventy-five percent of respondents expressed strong appreciation for the resort’s natural beauty, tranquilatmosphere, and picturesque landscape, underscoring the importance of environmental aestheticsin leisure tourism. Similarly, 68% reported satisfaction with staff friendliness and professionalism,highlighting the role of frontline employees in shaping visitor experiences. However, significantdeficiencies were identified in service delivery and infrastructure. Sixty per cent of surveyedtourists expressed dissatisfaction with the state of physical amenities, describing them asinadequate or poorly maintained. The study concludes that Rayfield Tourism Resort’s inadequatefacilities management and substandard service provision reduce visitor satisfaction and limit itscompetitiveness. It recommends urgent investment in upgrading existing amenities, expandingrecreational activities, and improving sanitary conditions to align with international hospitalitystandards. Strengthening infrastructure and service delivery will enhance customer satisfaction,attract a larger tourist base, reinforce the resort’s reputation, and contribute meaningfully totourism development in Plateau State and Nigeria.

ASSESSMENT OF INCREMENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN KAFANCHAN,KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

2026-01-19T17:20:26+00:00

Incremental housing development is the gradual and piecemeal improvement or expansion of dwelling units by households. This study investigates the changing aspects of incremental housing development in Kafanchan, with a view to discovering the factors responsible for thisdecision and development. The objectives of the research include assessment of socio-economic characteristics, stages of incremental housing development, willingness to pay for installment building approval, payment approach for building approval and analyze the challenges encountered by the developers of incremental houses in Kafanchan. Numbers of buildings in the wards were calculated. Kafanchan A 1,010 buildings, Kafanchan B 1,728 buildings, Kaninkon 4,350 buildings, Maigizoh 2,887 buildings and Takau 867 buildings. These amounted to 10,842 buildings and 7% of the buildings representing households were sampled. Descriptive analysiswas used to analyse incremental housing development in the study area. Results revealed that more than 50% of the residents in the study area were low-income earners and poor because their monthly income is below the international poverty line, which is $3.00 per person per day which is equivalent to ₦4,378 per person per day in Nigerian currency. Majority of the inhabitants of the study area were willing to make payment for building approval on quarterly basis. Findings revealed that, the main challenges encountered by housing developers include rising cost of land, complex land acquisition process and scarcity of land with the necessary infrastructure for development among others. The paper recommends that the Government should intensify poverty alleviation and entrepreneurial schemes in the state. The Government should design policies that will be favourable to low and medium-income earners. Government, Non-Governmental Organisations, Faith Base Organisations and individuals should assist in providing more infrastructural facilities in the study area.

CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION

2026-01-19T18:11:38+00:00

Protected landscapes, though protected, face increasing ecological threats due to climate variability and change, human interference, encroachment from invasive species, habitat fragmentation, and poaching, which result in habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. In the savanna ecosystem of OldOyo National Park (OONP), Nigeria, there is limited understanding of climate variability and landscape dynamics, which is crucial in informing effective conservation efforts. This study bridges this gap by investigating climate variability trends and changes in the land/vegetal cover and presents an argument for climate-resilient conservation. Rainfall and temperature estimates (1990 – 2024) from the Terra Climate datasets were used to investigate climatic patterns, and Landsat images (1999– 2020) were used to analyse landscape changes, using supervised image classification. Our findings reveal very high rainfall variability, particularly in dry months, and a significant upward trend intemperature (+0.38°C/decade). Meanwhile, landscape dynamics show that the mixed open savanna dominated the park; a ~69.7% decrease in bare land, ~18.6% loss in water bodies, and ~59.8% growth in forests, implying an overall positive vegetation stability. Nevertheless, the observed climate variability versus overall positive vegetation growth showed an irony that questions the drivers of forest encroachment, preservation of native species, and the overall integrity of the savanna ecosystem, underscoring the urgent need for adaptive approaches that account for climatic and ecological complexities. Moreover, since the satellite images only detected broad land cover classes, the study recommends further research into the species diversity, ecological composition, and functions of the ecosystem to validate on-the-ground conditions, providing insights to guide targeted interventions that enhance a climate-resilient savanna ecosystem.

Environmental and Health Effects of Poultry Farm Operations in Diye-Bay, Zarmaganda Community of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

2026-01-19T18:37:35+00:00

Poultry farms are rich sources of generating solid, gaseous and liquid waste materials, which if improperly managed may degrade the environment and pose public health risks. This study investigated the environmental and health effects of poultry farm operations in Diye-Bay, Zarmaganda community of Jos South LGA. Purposive and simple random techniques were used to select poultry farmers and household heads, respectively. Data were collected using structured quetionnaire, administered to 386 household heads. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, means, and percentages was computed using the SPSS-23 software to analyze the data collected. Results showed that 60% of the male gender participated in the study; 56% were within the the age bracket of 41-60 years old; 64% of them were married; 95% attended formal education and highly literate; 34% took to farming and 29% also engaged in trading; yet about 50% of them earned less than N100,000 monthly income. Results further showed that 64% of poultry farmers owned less than 201 birds, and 72% of them obtained less than 601 crates of eggs monthly. The popular environmental effects of poultry farm operations perceived by respondents were: rooster noise nuisance (ranked 1), water pollution (ranked 2), emission of GHGs (ranked 3), and global warming (ranked 4), among others; while the perceived health effects include itching of body parts (ranked 1), vector breeding (ranked 2), zoonotic diseases (ranked 3), breathing difficulty (ranked 4). Sequel to these environmental and public health concerns, the popular strategies for mitigation as advanced by the respondents were, policy and regulations (ranked 1), health surveillance (ranked 2), proper waste handling (ranked 3), and adequate farmer education (ranked 4). The paper called on the relevant authorities to regulate farm activities in order to safeguard the environment and public health.

Seasonal Soil Nutrients Flux in Managed Ecosystems in FCT, Abuja

2026-01-19T18:53:50+00:00

The study examined seasonal variations in soil nutrient composition and heavy metal concentrations within the Sarius Palmetum Botanical Garden, a managed recreational ecosystem located in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The objectives assessed nutrient dynamics and the influence of seasonal changes on soil properties, evaluated the ecological sustainability of the garden. Soil samples were collected from six sites in both wet and dry seasons using a 50 cm × 50cm quadrat subdivided into 10 cm × 10 cm cells, with samples taken from intersections and homogenized into composites for laboratory analysis. A total of thirty soil samples were obtained per season making it a total of sixty for both seasons and analyzed for macronutrients such as (N, P, K), soil organic matter (SOM), organic carbon (OC), exchangeable cations, textural fractions, and heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn) using standard laboratory procedures. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as means, tables, student’s t- test and ANOVA to determine significant variations across seasons. Results revealed distinct seasonal patterns, with higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium recorded during the wet season. N, P, Ca,records 0.40, 29.18, and 4.96 in the wet season and 0.39, 29.02 and 4.94 in the dry season respectively, while soil organic matter and organic carbon showed moderate enrichment. Exchangeable cation varied significantly across the seasons, and textural analysis indicated sandy loam clay dominance in the study area. Heavy metals such as Fe and Cu were detected but fell within permissible limits, with 5.19 (wet), 5.18(dry) and 1.90 (wet), 1.89(dry). indicating minimal contamination. The study concluded that there were seasonal variations in the soil nutrients suitable for sustainable ecological and recreational functions, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring to preserve soil health and ecosystem stability.