Horticultural crops matter more than they’re often given credit for, especially in Nigeria, where they help feed families, support incomes, and offer some cushion against climate uncertainty. This review critically examines the genetic diversity of horticultural crops in Nigeria, emphasizing their role in nutrition, economic stability, and climate resilience. The objective is to synthesize current knowledge on genetic variation within staple vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens) and fruits (e.g., mangoes, citrus) and how this diversity contributes to crop tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted, focusing on both phenotypic and molecular genetic studies in Nigerian horticultural species. Key findings reveal significant genetic variation that supports adaptation to drought, diseases, and poor soils, though this diversity is threatened by unregulated hybridization and scarce breeding investments. Stress response mechanisms are observed at multiple scales, from field-level symptoms reported by farmers to molecular changes such as gene expression modification and antioxidant activity. The review also evaluates modern breeding technologies, including gene editing and AI-driven predictive breeding, highlighting their potential when tailored to Nigeria’s smallholder farming conditions and diverse agroecological zones. However, challenges persist due to limited infrastructure, fragmented data, and underfunded breeding programs. The conclusion advocates for integrating indigenous knowledge of resilient landraces with advanced genomics and establishing decentralized seed systems to safeguard crop diversity and enhance food security. Urgent coordinated research and investment are recommended to conserve vital genetic resources and ensure sustainable horticultural production under climate uncertainty in Nigeria.

The global surge in consumption of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has resulted in an unprecedented generation of waste EEE (WEEE), posing significant environmental and health challenges worldwide, especially in developing countries where informal and rudimentary recycling methods prevail. Such unsustainable management approaches exacerbate the loss of critical raw materials (CRMs) embedded in WEEE, which are essential for current EEE technologies, future technological innovation, and sustainable development goals. This study adopts a structured literature approach using Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering studies published between 2015 and 2025. Articles were selected based on relevance to CRM recovery, availability of quantitative performance data, and methodological clarity, resulting in 124 key studies for detailed analysis. The study critically evaluates conventional and emerging beneficiation techniques in terms of recovery efficiency, environmental impact, cost, and scalability. Hydrometallurgical processes achieve recovery efficiencies above 90% for selected metals but generate secondary effluents, while pyrometallurgical routes offer high throughput at the expense of energy demand and emissions. Mechanical processing improves pre-concentration but lacks selectivity for complex fractions. Emerging approaches, including biohydrometallurgy and deep eutectic solvents, show reduced environmental impact with reported recoveries exceeding 95% under controlled conditions, though scale limitations persist. Integration of artificial intelligence and sensor-based sorting improves separation efficiencies to above 95% in pilot systems. Comparative analysis highlights that process integration and feedstock quality strongly influence outcomes. The study identifies key gaps in techno-economic evaluation and life cycle assessment and proposes integrated recovery pathways aligned with circular economy targets.

This study investigates the concentration of selected toxic metals in the waste plastic components of discarded mobile phones from five major brands commonly used in Nigeria, focusing on their environmental and health implications. Twenty-five mobile phones across five brands were collected from repairers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria, and disassembled into major components (printed wiring boards (PWBs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and plastics). Plastic components were shredded to enable analysis, and samples were analyzed in their unwashed state to reflect real-world contamination. Concentrations of toxic metals specifically silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results reveal heterogeneity and unexpectedly high Ni levels in certain samples, emphasizing the complexity and challenges of accurately characterizing metals in mixed plastic matrices and the influence of disassembly/handling on surface contamination. Across all brands, mean concentrations (mg/kg) were Ag 9.2 ± 1.9; Cd 46.2 ± 12.5; Ni 738 ± 1072; Pb 62.4 ± 32.0. ANOVA indicated significant inter-brand differences for Ag, Ni, and Pb, with Ni and Pb showing strong brand-related variation, and brand C and brand E often stand out. Comparison with total threshold limit concentration (TTLC) standards showed all metals were generally below limits, except Ni in brand C samples. This suggests the materials may not pose an immediate risk under typical disposal. However, potential metal release through leaching, especially in landfill or incineration scenarios, remains a concern. The data support the need for improved end-of-life management and formal recycling to mitigate long-term ecological impacts.