Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels in Aba, Abia State, were examined from 2019 to 2024 to understand temporal and spatial air quality trends influenced by industrial, vehicular, and policy factors. Sentinel-5P satellite data were processed in Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS, producing spatial distribution maps and descriptive statistics. The analysis revealed marked fluctuations corresponding to major socio-economic and environmental events. Sulfur dioxide recorded a sharp decline in 2020 (mean − 0.0000511 mol/m²) following COVID-19 lockdowns, peaked in 2021 (0.0000163 mol/m²) as industries reopened, and stabilized after 2023 due to the fuel subsidy removal. Spatial hotspots contracted from widespread zones in 2021 to small industrial pockets in Aba South by 2024. Nitrogen dioxide followed a gradual rise from 2019 (0.0000632 mol/m²) to a 2021 maximum (0.0000738 mol/m²), then declined steadily to 0.0000662 mol/m² in 2024, reflecting reduced transport activity and emission control impacts. Spatially, persistent high concentrations remained around Aba North, especially near Aba International Market and Owerri Road, while southern areas showed improvement. The t-test confirmed statistically significant differences across years, affirming the influence of lockdown restrictions and national fuel policies on pollutant behavior. Findings indicate improved air quality relative to pre-pandemic baselines, though localized hotspots persist. Strengthened regulatory enforcement, cleaner production technologies, expansion of ground-based monitoring, and traffic management reforms are recommended to sustain the gains. The study demonstrates how integrated satellite analysis and policy evaluation can guide urban air quality management and sustainable environmental planning in rapidly growing Nigerian cities.