The Multi-Faceted Challenges That Climate Change Poses in Nigeria and How They Can Be Tackled.

Climate change has been identified as the singularly unique challenge of our time, and it does not take much to see why. It also does not take much to see what could happen if it is left unchecked. We are talking about rising sea levels, droughts, famine, and an unconscionable loss of a third of our world’s plants and animals. That spells bad news. No region is more vulnerable to climate change than Africa. It has even been labeled a “security threat.” This article focuses mostly on Nigeria and the myriad of dangers climate change poses to the country.

There is a growing consensus within the climate change community, a scientific prediction of sorts: rising temperatures and changing precipitation levels. These two factors mean low agricultural yield, which is particularly bad for a country like Nigeria, as Nigeria is agriculturally sensitive. Climate is the primary driver of agricultural productivity. Low rainfall means smaller and less abundant harvests. Consequently, Nigerians get less food, which leads to a rise in malnutrition and hunger. This is especially harmful to children, as they become more susceptible to diseases.

To mitigate these effects, climate-smart agriculture such as the cultivation of drought-resistant crops and improved irrigation facilities should be adopted. These methods would serve as ways to ensure Nigeria’s food supply is secured.

Another effect of climate change is felt in the Middle Belt. There is a scarcity of resources, which has consequently deepened the security problems the country faces. Herders are forced to migrate southward in search of pasture and water. This migration has intensified the clashes between herders and farmers in these communities. A clarification is necessary here: climate change is not the only cause of the farmer-herder conflict; it is also politically motivated. A lasting resolution is needed because, as land and water resources shrink, competition escalates, which further inflames the problem.

Nigeria is a low-income country, with over 40% of its population living below the poverty line. A large part of why poverty persists is productivity, and climate change affects productivity. Not just agricultural productivity but human productivity as well. Every time there is a drought or a flood, human economic activities suffer. This becomes a cyclic feedback process in which poverty is fed by climate change, and poverty, in turn, grows.

Conclusion

Efforts are emerging to combat climate change. The National Climate Change Policy (2021–2030) lists several mitigation measures such as renewable energy expansion, green job creation, and afforestation. The problem with these, as with several other policies, is implementation, which has been inconsistent.

At the local level, indigenous practices such as mixed cropping, soil conservation, and seasonal migration have helped farmers cope with some of the changes climate change has brought. A way to build on this is for local governments to partner with these farmers to make such practices broader and more far-reaching.

Addressing climate change in Nigeria means addressing poverty, conflict resolution, food security, and sustainable development. The country needs policies and regulations, and not just those; it needs action. It needs effective ways to enforce these policies.