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This study examines household accessibility to domestic water supply in Lokoja, North Central Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were obtained for this research. A systematic random sampling technique was adopted to gather relevant information from two hundred and ten households on their sources of water supply, frequency of trips to water collection points and their perception of quality of domestic water available to them. Relevant information was obtained from archival materials. Tables were employed to analyse the socio-economic composition of the respondents and the sources of water supply in their neighbourhoods. Likerts scale model was used to evaluate the perception of satisfaction on quality and adequacy of domestic water supply in the city. Analysis of Variance was also used to determine the level of satisfaction on the quantity and quality of domestic water supply across various residential areas in Lokoja. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to determine the strength of the relationship between domestic water supply on the one hand and income level, education profile and residential characteristics of households on the other hand. Findings reveal that more than 70% of households residing at Zango Daji and Army Barracks areas rely on borehole for their regular water supply. Well water and water from vendors are the principal sources of water for residents of Felele area and these constituted 48.1% and 25.9% respectively. Approximately 100%, 57.7% and 34.6% of urban households that reside at Old Poly Quarters, Lokongoma Phase 1 & 11 and Kabawa areas respectively indicated that they rely on irregular and unpredictable public tap water supply provided by the Kogi State Water Management Board.Urban households perceived and rated the availability and quality of domestic water supply as dissatisfied. There was a positive correlation between sources of domestic  water supply and urban households income level as well as education profile, which was statistically significant (r = .196, n = 189, p = .01) and  (r = .282, n = 189, p = .01). The study recommends the provision of potable water to urban households in order to reduce the vulnerability of urban residents to water borne diseases in Lokoja and environs.

Plastic are emerging pollutants requiring urgent intervention for its management. In African countries like Nigeria, the evidence to inform plastic pollution management is scanty. This rapid review aimed to systematically evaluate evidence on the distribution, sources, biological effects, research gaps and policy needs of plastic pollution in various environmental matrices in Nigeria. Peer-reviewed journal articles on nano-, micro-, meso- and macroplastics contamination of water, sediment, air, soil and biota were accessed from PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct. They were screened, comprehensively revised and critically appraised for inclusion, data extraction and evidence synthesis. A total of 358,974 articles were accessed from any publication date up till May 30, 2021. Only 34 articles met the inclusion criteria and critical appraisal. Only 26 of the included studies reported the distribution, levels and/or effects of microplastics (MPs) (n = 12), macroplastics (n = 12) or both (n = 2) in water, sediment, biota, food and/or land. Only 15 of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had any data on micro- and/or macroplastics. Macroplastics from land-based sources were mainly reported from educational institutions, residential areas and markets. Plastic sources reported were tire wear, cigarette butts, fishing ropes and gears, plastic bags, water sachets and e-wastes. Biological effects (oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, reduced plant root biomass) of virgin MPs were reported in crab, African catfish and lime tree only in laboratory experiments. Microplastic data in biota were limited to selected fish species, aquatic insects and gastropods. Only one (1) study on plastics in waterbodies in Northern Nigeria (Kogi State) was found. Research gaps on plastic distribution in terrestrial biota, other aquatic biota, soil, air, ground and potable water sources as well as biological effects were identified. Policy needs for plastic pollution management identified include stakeholder education, polymer replacement, recycling, tax and incentives to support the sustainability of life below water and on land (UN SDGs 14 and 15).

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