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A ceramic water filter (CWF) coated with plant-based nanoparticles was used as household water purifier in a rural community. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced from the stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea plant, and their efficacy to enhance the physical, chemical, and microbial quality of raw stream water sample was determined using analytical probes and pour-plate techniques, respectively. The pH of the filtered water sample ranged 7.6 to 8.1, which is within the WHO permissible limit for drinking water, and the electrical conductivity values were also reduced from 110 to 70 µS/cm. The CWF coated with AgNPs (CWF-AgNPs) removed Klebsiella pnuemoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus , and Entamoeba histolytica from the stream water sample. The highest percentage of coliform reduction in the CWF and CWF-AgNPs were 93.18% and 99.64%, respectively. The raw data showed that the CWF-NPs enhanced the quality of the stream water. The surface and internal structure of the CWF-AgNPs can be modified by varying the concentration of the composite materials, so as to determine the most effective combination. The improved CWF-AgNPs will enhance achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.

This research intricately explores the dynamics surrounding the coexistence of humans and roosting bats in urban areas, meticulously examining both the advantageous and detrimental aspects of their living arrangement. The study conducted a comprehensive survey with 286 residents in Iwo and Ogbomoso, where Eidolon helvum bats are known to roost, generating a robust dataset for thorough analysis. Rigorous statistical assessments, including the KMO and Bartlett’s tests, confirmed the data’s reliability at a significance level of P

Investigation on human perspective on the impacts of quarry activities on the natural environment remains limited. This study gauged residents’ perceptions of the ecological consequences of quarry operations. A meticulously structured questionnaire was dispensed among 214 households, chosen at random, in the vicinity of Sanlong Quarry within Obaagun community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. The dataset underwent analysis utilising both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated a predominance of female respondents, constituting 77.6%, with 65% aged 41 years and above. Moreover, 74.2% had been residents in the study area for no less than 7 years, and 62.6% resided within 1 km of the quarry site. A substantial 74.3% (159 residents) regarded quarry operations as detrimental to their environment, with 72.2% attributing this to machine vibrations. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkins and Barttlet’s tests affirmed the factorability of the dataset at a 77.5% significance level ( P

Hand-dug well facility is susceptible to pollution by natural and anthropogenic sources but pollution associated with human handling and management of hand-dug well facility and its accessories has been rarely discussed. A structured questionnaire was administered among 260 respondents cutting across the 5 quarters in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The data collected was subjected to both descriptive and inferential analysis. Descriptive analysis showed that majority of the respondents were of female gender who relied largely on manual mode of fetching water in their respective hand-dug well facilities. Apart from this, different kinds of ropes of varying qualities were attached to their respective water fetchers, 72.69% of which are tyre-tube containers. Data factorability and its adequacy tests showed KMO value of 62.0% and its significance at P

Efficient use of water could be partly achieved with sound management strategies of the non-consumptive uses (N-CUs) of water in homes being put in place. This research evaluated the non-consumptive water use component in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. Data required for the investigation was generated from the administration of 325 questionnaires across the five Quarters into which the town is divided, out of which 269 were completed and retrieved. Both descriptive and inferential analysis of the data were carried out. Descriptive analysis showed that households engage absolutely in different non-consumptive uses such as bathing, clothe washing, drainage cleaning and dish washing while households’ engagement in other N-CUs were in varying proportions. The results of Factor Analysis (FA) revealed that five out of the 13 variables identified and analyzed with a minimum eigen value of 1.000 were strong explanatory variables of 73.674% when engaging in issues relating to N-CUs at household level. These are water use for the following (i) drainage cleaning (16.153%); (ii) Dish washing (15.922%); (iii) Toilet cleaning (14.547%); (iv) Auto-wash (14.238%); and Bathing (12.814%). Regression analysis (RA) of the data revealed that three variables namely clothe washing, Incidental washing and auto-washing were significant (p < 0.001) in generating predictive model of N-CUs of water in homes. The combined results of FA and RA implied that the set of variables in both analysis need to be considered in any issue involving the management and control of N-CUs of water in homes for a result-oriented water use efficiency at household level.

Water demand at any given time, particularly at the household level, depends on various factors, including climatic variables, social, economic, and demographic factors. Achieving consistent availability and accessibility, coupled with effective resource management, is crucial, particularly in tropical regions. Understanding all these variables is essential to achieving these goals. This research aimed to assess the impact of ten socio-demographic variables on predicting household water demand in Iwo. Two hundred and twenty-five households were randomly selected, with 196 completing and returning the survey. Both descriptive and multivariate analyses, specifically Factor and Regression Analysis, were employed to analyse the data. Factor analysis (FA) identified four variables: (i) housing characteristics; (ii) marital status; (iii) income level; and (iv) gender distribution, in that sequence. These four variables collectively accounted for 68.608% of the variance in household water demand in Iwo. This outcome underscores the importance of giving due consideration to these variables in water supply planning by relevant authorities. The study contributes to a better understanding and quantification of the significant variables influencing household water demand. However, it is advisable that future investigations into household water use incorporate additional variables beyond socio-demographic factors to comprehensively comprehend factors influencing water demand at the household level.

Sustainable environmental quality is a prerequisite to a sustainable human livelihood. This work evaluated the impacts of micro-business enterprises (MBEs) on the quality of the urban environment, with Iwo, Nigeria, as a case study. A survey of the identified micro-businesses across the city brought about four categorizations which were based on the kinds of waste being generated. Fifty-nine business units were randomly selected from each category, thus, making a total of 236 for the survey to generate the required data. The data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 75.01 of the respondents have spent between 11 and 15 years in their respective enterprises while the volume of waste being generated by 76.69% of the MBEs fell in the “moderately high” category and 71.19% did not associate any illness to the waste generated by the MBEs. The results of Factor Analysis showed that nine factors explained 82.914% of how MBEs have impacted the quality of the urban environment. The results further showed that bad odors from the waste generated by the MBEs topped the variables with the highest predictive power (19.032%) while the waste characteristics offer the least explanation (3.279%). However, the 60.96 percent bulk of the 100% explanation was made by the top three variables namely bad odors from the waste generated by the MBEs, the government's monitoring role, and the hindrances posed by the wastes. The work, therefore, concludes that the MBEs could be more beneficial to human livelihood and the physical environment rather than being detrimental if both the entrepreneurs (the citizens) and the government adhere to their respective responsibilities. Relevant authorities in Nigeria should initiate policies that are capable of stimulating the growth of entrepreneurial activities with effective regulation to curtail urban degradation for improved livelihood. It is suggested that further studies on the compliance of MBE operators to the established governing rules be carried out.

Abstract Water dams have been constructed in various regions across the globe to enhance access to potable water. Among these, the Aiba water reservoir, commissioned in 1957, was envisioned as a pivotal source of treated water for Iwo and its environs. Unfortunately, despite its inauguration, the primary objective of ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply to the community remains unrealized to date. This research seeks to evaluate the accessibility of the study area to pipe-borne water (PBW) and discern the driving forces through the administration of structured questionnaire across 480 respondents out of which 458 were retrieved for analysis. The study utilized both descriptive and inferential statistics, employing Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23. The respondent demographic revealed that 83.6% were female, and 18.4% claimed paying water tariffs while 76.2% relied on groundwater as their principal source of water. The data showed revealed diverse factors hindering PBW connectivity namely: Administrative bottlenecks (12%), while 57% cited the availability of alternative water sources as a reason for not connecting to PBW; 9% reported poor infrastructure for PBW, and 18% highlighted the unreliability of water supply from Aiba Water Works (AWW). Further analysis through Factor Analysis (FA) pinpointed three salient variables significantly influencing PBW accessibility. These are proximity to the main network (42.557%); cost of connectivity (22.275%); and availability of other sources (14.480%). These findings underscored the critical importance of expanding the PBW network, given the prevalent non-proximity of most residences to the main water pipes. Moreover, the research suggests that capacity building initiatives should be implemented to enhance the economic well-being of citizens, thereby fostering an improved quality of life for the inhabitants of the studied area. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complexities surrounding water accessibility and offers practical recommendations to realise SDG 6 by 2030. Graphical Abstract

IntroductionClimate change poses numerous issues for indigenous populations in tropical cities worldwide, including reduced access to food, dwindling resources, and the proliferation of vector-borne illnesses. Indigenous communities are developing various mitigation and adaptation measures suitable for their distinct cultural and ecological demands.MethodsThis study investigates the numerous indigenous climate change mitigation strategies (ICCMSs) being deployed in tropical cities, using secondary sources of data. The methodology involved a systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines, encompassing the identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion of relevant literature. From an initial 1,200 sources, 450 were screened, and 102 met the inclusion criteria for full-text assessment.ResultsFindings indicate that common ICCMSs in tropical cities include the use of traditional knowledge systems and materials in urban green infrastructure projects, agroforestry, sustainable urban agriculture, urban afforestation and reforestation, and indigenous technologies and innovations in waste management practices. Indigenous peoples have benefited from greater education and understanding about climate change, empowering them to take action and lower their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.DiscussionThe study recommends that governments and international organizations support these mitigation efforts, incorporate them into public policy and urban planning for indigenous communities in tropical cities, and reduce global anthropogenic GHG emissions. Further studies are suggested to assess the effectiveness of these measures and their potential to enhance climate resilience in tropical cities.

The persistent threat of climate change poses challenges to food security, despite numerous adaptation strategies, necessitating attention to achieve sustainable livelihoods. This study conducted a survey among 220 farmers in fifteen selected rural communities from five political wards in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria, using a multistage sampling technique. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse data obtained. The results indicated that 90 % of the farmers had knowledge of consequences of climate change, while 75 % have adopted various strategies to cope with the menace. The data were factorable at p ≤ 0.05 using KMO and Bartlett's tests. Four variables were extracted out of nine analysed as significant to the explanation of constraints to CC adaptation strategies, namely: engagement in other jobs (16.499 %); farmers' experience with the varying nature of weather patterns (14.526 %); farm size variation (13.485 %); and the difficulty posed by coping with recurring erratic rainfall (11.925 %). All four variables identified and extracted explained 56.446 % of the constraints hindering farmers from coping with climate change. The study recommended further studies to identify other variables that could be accountable for the constraints in coping with the climate change scenario in the study area. The contributions of farmers' experiences to the failure of various strategies in coping with climate change form the nexus to other extracted variables and, therefore, need further investigation for sustainable agriculture globally.

The continuity of farmers in farming under the impacts of climate change (CC), especially in developing nations, is still less investigated in literature. A survey was conducted among 220 farmers in selected rural communities in Ondo, Nigeria. The data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The results showed that male gender formed 90% of the respondents, 68% of the respondents cultivate up to 15 acres of farmland while 61% had experienced a decrease in their farmland sizes between 2000 and 2023 of which 47% (103 out of 220) claimed was due to erratic rainfall. Factor analysis identified and extracted three significant options for the sustainability of farmers’ living in the CC era, namely, (i) adoption of soil and water conservation option (35.007%); (ii) abandonment of farming for another means of livelihood (15.052%) and (iii) reduction in the farmland size (11.774%). However, in view of the combined weights of options (i) and (iii) ([74.57% of the absolute value]) which explained farmers’ preference to remain in farming, it, thus, implied that farmers will rather take options that will keep them in framing despite the impact of CC rather than abandoning it. The results are indications of the prevalence of CC and the policies that will enhance farming in CC era to be put in place to sustain the livelihood of farmers. Further studies are suggested on enhancing farmers’ livelihood to keep them in agriculture in the CC era.

Climate change (CC) scenario is already acknowledged as one of those environmental challenges that threaten every facet of life including mango farming. This study was designed to investigate into mango farmers’ perception of the impacts of climate change (CC) on mango farming. A structured questionnaire was administered among 480 mango farmers across six of the states where mango farming is carried out in Nigeria. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied in the analysis of the data. From the 418 completed and returned questionnaires analysed, it was found that the male gender dominated the respondents in the survey with a proportion of 68% while 61% use pesticides to control pests and 35% own between 1 and 3 acres of mango farmland. The data were subjected to KMO and Bartlett’s tests, the results of which showed that the data are factorable with p≤0.05. Factor analysis (FA) extracted six (6) out of the fourteen (14) variables analysed which were significant to explain the perceptions of the farmers on the impact of CC on mango farming, namely: (i) change in the volume of mango production; (ii) effect of high temperature; (iii) prolonged dry season; (iv) rainfall pattern; (v) incidence of flooding; and (vi) poor performance of mango seedlings. Further analysis showed the prominence of issues relating to climate change. The implication of these results is that mango farming is also being threatened by CC. Hence, it calls for urgent mitigation actions to salvage this subsector. Farmers need to be adequately supported by stakeholders in their efforts to adapt to the ravaging effects of CC on mango farming through relevant policies and programmes. The work also recommended further investigation on the efficacy of the adaptive methods on mango yields.

Understanding daily water use determinants is critical to sustainable water access and its efficient use at household level. To pursue this objective, primary data were generated through a survey of 276 respondents across the 5 quarters into which the city of Iwo is divided. 67.5% of the respondents were between 19 and 45 years old while 35.5% were between 46 and 65 years old and the remaining 3.9% comprised of those above 65 years. The results of factor analysis (FA) showed that 12 of the 40 factors analyzed were significant determinants of daily water use in homes. The 12 factors explained 85.794% of the observed variation in household daily water use. The factors in descending order were (i) closeness to water source; (ii) night time baths; (iii) household cooking; (iv) Sunday activities; (v) water demands of the dry season; (vi) morning time water use; (vii) household size; (viii) respondents’ attitude; (ix) water availability in the dry season; (x) break in water flow; (xi) social events; and (xii) source of water. Further evaluation condensed the results into four categories, namely, (i) season-associated information; (ii) household-related information; (iii) time of the day; and (iv) water source-related information. The result of correlation analysis showed weak associations among 83.33% of the variables, indicating that each variable should be treated separately from others in the matter relating to daily variation in home water use. The study concluded that household-related information and time of the day (contributing 62.02% of the absolute explanation) are most significant to daily variation in water use at the household level and should be considered when prioritizing effective policies for water use and management.