A Professor of Communication Physics at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Joseph Ojo, has called for intensified scientific research aimed at developing technological solutions to minimise the impact of rainfall and other adverse weather conditions on communication systems.
Ojo urged telecommunications companies in Nigeria to strengthen collaboration with universities and research institutions to develop homegrown technologies capable of improving signal reliability during extreme weather conditions.
He made the call on Tuesday while delivering the 194th Inaugural Lecture of FUTA titled “Communication in Rainy Conditions: A Coat of Many Colours.”
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The professor noted that rainfall can significantly disrupt modern communication systems, particularly satellite and microwave communications that operate at higher frequency bands. According to him, rain-induced signal loss—commonly known as rain attenuation—remains a major challenge for telecommunications infrastructure.
He explained that radio frequencies in the microwave and millimetre-wave ranges are highly susceptible to signal degradation when raindrops absorb and scatter electromagnetic waves. Such interference, he said, often leads to signal interruptions, slow internet speed, and temporary loss of communication services.
“These disruptions can affect a wide range of services, including television broadcasting, mobile telecommunications, internet connectivity and satellite navigation systems,” Ojo said.
To mitigate these challenges, the communication physicist recommended the adoption of several engineering solutions, including adaptive power control, diversity techniques, improved antenna design and advanced signal processing methods to compensate for signal losses during rainfall.
He also proposed the use of site and path diversity mitigation measures as well as the design and fabrication of high-efficiency antennas capable of improving service quality and energy sustainability.
In addition, Ojo advocated the implementation of smart-grid power systems for transceiver base stations to ensure stable signal availability even during heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions.
“Communication in rainy conditions presents significant challenges. Effective strategies are essential to ensure reliable connectivity and safety, especially by accounting for high rainfall rates and providing robust infrastructure or adaptive technologies that maintain performance and prevent signal outages,” he said.
The professor further called on mobile telecommunications operators to support research efforts in universities by funding studies in radio communication and related fields. He also urged government authorities to introduce policies that would encourage stronger industry–academic collaboration in technological research.
In his lecture, Ojo examined the complex relationship between atmospheric conditions and communication systems, particularly in tropical regions such as Nigeria, where rainfall intensity is often high.
He explained that rainfall creates multiple physical interactions—including attenuation, scattering, absorption and depolarisation—that influence how electromagnetic signals travel through the atmosphere.
“These processes weaken signal strength and clarity, often resulting in reduced communication quality during storms or heavy downpours,” he said.
Explaining the metaphor behind the lecture’s title, Ojo described communication in rainy conditions as a “coat of many colours,” symbolising the multiple scientific disciplines involved in addressing the phenomenon.
According to him, atmospheric science, physics, engineering and telecommunications all play crucial roles in developing solutions to rain-related signal interference.
The professor, who currently serves as Director of FUTA’s Centre for Space Research and Applications (CESRA), emphasised that understanding rainfall patterns and atmospheric dynamics is essential for designing communication networks that can perform efficiently under harsh environmental conditions.
He stressed the need to develop predictive models capable of estimating signal attenuation caused by rainfall, noting that such models would enable engineers to build more resilient communication infrastructure.
Beyond the technical considerations, Ojo highlighted the broader societal importance of reliable communication systems, noting that telecommunications remain critical to economic development, education, healthcare delivery, emergency response and national security.
He therefore called for stronger collaboration among scientists, engineers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to develop innovative technologies capable of sustaining reliable communication networks in challenging environmental conditions.
The lecture also underscored the importance of long-term atmospheric observation and accurate rainfall data for building reliable predictive models that can guide communication system design.
Chairing the event, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, commended Ojo for his scholarly contributions and dedication to research.
She described him as a proud alumnus of the university whose work continues to expand knowledge in communication physics while enhancing FUTA’s academic reputation globally.
