Evaluating the Contribution of Remote Sensing to Oil Spill Response in the Niger Delta

Oil spill response in the Niger Delta depends on timely detection and accurate spatial delineation of contamination extents. This study critically evaluates the contribution of satellite remote sensing data to oil spill response operations in the Niger Delta by examining the gap between sensor capabilities and operational response requirements. A systematic review of remote sensing methods applied to Niger Delta oil spills between 2018 and 2023 is conducted, categorising studies by sensor type (optical, SAR, hyperspectral), detection performance, and operational uptake. Case studies are developed for three major spill events using Sentinel-1 SAR and Sentinel-2 optical data to assess detection latency and spatial accuracy against verified spill boundaries. Results demonstrate that SAR-based detection achieves median detection latency of 2.3 days for water surface slicks, while terrestrial spills remain more challenging for automated detection. The study identifies critical capability gaps in the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency's current satellite monitoring arrangements and proposes an enhanced Earth observation monitoring framework. Keywords: oil spill, remote sensing, Niger Delta, SAR, spill detection