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Ibadan, Nigeria's third-largest city, occupies a strategic position in southwestern Nigeria's Oyo State, situated approximately 128 kilometers northeast of Lagos. The city sprawls across the rolling hills of the Yoruba Plateau at an average elevation of 230 meters above sea level, creating a distinctive urban topography where neighborhoods cascade across seven prominent hills. This elevated position provides some natural ventilation but also traps pollutants in valley areas during certain weather conditions. Ibadan lies within Nigeria's forest-savanna transition zone, surrounded by agricultural hinterlands producing cocoa, cassava, and yams, with urban expansion increasingly encroaching on these rural zones. The city lacks significant natural water bodies within its immediate urban core, though the Ogunpa River flows through the metropolis and has historically influenced settlement patterns. Ibadan's geographic location places it at the crossroads of Nigeria's southwestern economic corridor, with increasing industrial development along major transportation routes radiating toward Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ife. The urban-rural gradient shows dense, unplanned settlements in the city center giving way to more organized suburbs and eventually agricultural villages, creating complex pollution dynamics where urban emissions mix with agricultural burning and dust from unpaved rural roads. The city's position inland from the Atlantic coast means it experiences less maritime influence on air quality than coastal cities, relying instead on seasonal wind patterns to disperse pollutants.

Ibadan experiences distinct seasonal air quality variations tied to West Africa's monsoon cycle. During the dry season from November to March, Harmattan winds transport Saharan dust southward, creating hazy conditions with elevated particulate matter levels, particularly in December and January. These months see the poorest air quality as temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground during cool nights, while daytime heating creates vertical mixing that temporarily improves conditions. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activities during early morning hours when inversions are strongest. The transition period of April to May brings pre-monsoon heat with occasional dust storms, requiring hydration and reduced exertion during peak afternoon hours. June through September marks the rainy season, when frequent downpours effectively wash pollutants from the atmosphere, resulting in the year's cleanest air, especially during and immediately after rainfall. This period offers optimal conditions for outdoor activities, though humidity can exacerbate respiratory symptoms for some individuals. October represents another transition month with diminishing rains and increasing agricultural burning in surrounding farmlands, creating localized smoke plumes. Throughout the year, traffic emissions from Ibadan's growing vehicle fleet and generator use during power outages contribute to baseline pollution, with meteorological conditions determining whether these accumulate or disperse. Wind patterns generally flow from northeast during dry months and southwest during rainy season, influencing which areas receive transported pollutants.