global solar radiation enhancements period of occurrence in nigeria

Solar radiation, the ultimate source of energy for life on earth, drives critical physical and biological processes. this study investigates the enhancement periods of global solar radiation (gsr) using ground based measurements from the nigerian meteorological agency (nimet), specifically from the lagos oshodi station and other synoptic stations across nigeria. monthly and annual gsr data were statistically analyzed to compute mean values, standard deviations, and seasonal/inter annual variations. five locations lagos, ibadan, enugu, maiduguri, and kano were selected to represent nigeria’s diverse climatic zones, from coastal and rainforest to savanna and sahel environments. the seasonal mean gsr was measured in mega joules per square meter (mj/m2) for lagos, ibadan, and enugu which was approximately 13 mj/m², while maiduguri and kano recorded 20% and 30% higher values, respectively. peak seasonal gsr reaches 14.8 mj/m², while the lowest values fall to 9 mj/m². three distinctive seasonal features were identified: a primary peak in march to april, a minimum in july to august, and a secondary maximum in october to november. these patterns correspond to nigeria’s seasonal transitions, with the primary peak preceding the rainy season, the minimum coinciding with heavy monsoon cloud cover, and the secondary peak marking the end of rains and onset of dry season. these variations highlight the importance of local climatic factors in influencing solar radiation, offering critical insight for solar energy applications, agricultural planning, and climate modeling in the region.