DECADAL CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the decadal variability of temperature and rainfall in Edo State, Nigeria. This is crucial for decision-making in various industries like infrastructure, water resources, agriculture, and energy. The study utilized gridded Climate Research data from 25 local communities between 1956 and 2016, cross-checked against Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) data, and applied various time series analysis methods. The results demonstrated that the state has experienced both abrupt and gradual increases in temperature, particularly during the decade spanning 1976–1985. The most probable time frame for a sudden temperature change was 1980. Changing by 0.14856 0C on average per ten years, 1986–1995 was the coldest decade, and 1976–1985 was the hottest, with the typical temperature difference of -0.01723 0C every ten years. Rainfall varied by an average of 61 mm/decade in the wettest decade (1986–1995) and 14.08 mm/decade in the driest (1976–1985). The spectral examination revealed that 15 years was the most significant frequency for both temperature and rainfall. The study found low rainfall and temperature variability of 9.66% and 1.315%, respectively. This study proposes strategies to mitigate and enhance adaptive capacity in response to the impacts of climate change, thereby raising awareness about its impact due to rainfall and temperature.