Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture, is one of the most critical targets in global development efforts. In Nigeria, achieving zero hunger is both an urgent priority and a daunting challenge. With agriculture as the primary source of livelihood for millions of its citizens, the sector is progressively vulnerable to climate change. The effects of rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and the growing incidence of extreme weather events are undermining Nigeria’s ability to achieve SDG 2.
Our landscape has indicated a long struggle with food insecurity, despite our vast agricultural potential. While the country boasts of fertile land and favourable conditions for growing a wide variety of crops, structural challenges have hampered our agricultural productivity. Issues such as poor infrastructure, inadequate investment in agricultural research and technology, and limited access to credit for smallholder farmers have contributed to the inefficiency of the sector.
These issues are now compounded by rapid population growth, conflict, and economic instability, all of which have increased the demand for food while reducing the capacity to produce and distribute it effectively.
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Against this backdrop, climate change has emerged as a critical factor in our food security crisis. Our agriculture is highly dependent on stable climate conditions, particularly in rural areas where farmers rely on rain-fed farming systems. The country’s three major ecological zones—Guinea Savannah, Sudan Savannah, and Sahel—each have distinct climates that support different types of crops and livestock.
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However, the impacts of climate change, including more erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and increased desertification, are disrupting these delicate ecosystems, leading to a decline in agricultural productivity and aggravating hunger.
Rainfall unpredictability has one of the most pronounced effects of climate change in the country that has had well-defined rainy and dry seasons, with agriculture closely aligned to these cycles. However, in recent decades, rainfall patterns have become more erratic, with some areas experiencing prolonged droughts, while others are inundated by excessive rainfall and flooding. This unpredictability makes it difficult for farmers to plan planting and harvesting, leading to lower yields and, in some cases, total crop failure.
In addition to erratic rainfall, rising temperatures are posing significant challenges to many crops that are sensitive to even small changes in temperature as prolonged heat stress reduces their growth and yield. In northern Nigeria, where temperatures are already high, further increases in temperature are making it increasingly difficult to grow traditional cereals and vegetables.
The heat also affects livestock, reducing their productivity and increasing mortality rates, particularly among pastoralist communities in the Sahel region. Equally, higher temperatures are increasing the prevalence of pests and diseases that thrive in warmer conditions, e.g. rust and blight that affect staple crops.
The effect of climate change through desertification and unsustainable land use practices such as overgrazing and deforestation are making fertile land to become increasingly arid and unproductive.
The Sahel region is losing capacity to produce food, particularly in regions that are already food insecure. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s land is at risk of desertification, with significant implications for food production and rural livelihoods.
The displacement of farmers due to land degradation is also contributing to urban migration, placing additional pressure on urban food systems and increasing the prevalence of hunger in Nigeria’s cities.
Apart from its direct impacts on agriculture, climate change is contributing to conflict and insecurity, further intensifying hunger. The competition for shrinking natural resources, such as arable land and water, has increased tensions between farmers and pastoralists, particularly in northern and central Nigeria.
These conflicts, often referred to as “herder-farmer conflicts,” have led to widespread violence, displacement, and the disruption of agricultural activities. As a result, many farming communities have been unable to plant or harvest their crops, leading to food shortages and increased hunger.
The link between climate change, conflict, and food insecurity is particularly pronounced in regions affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. The Lake Chad Basin, which spans Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, has experienced significant environmental degradation due to climate change.
The shrinking of Lake Chad, once one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes, has reduced water availability and contributed to the displacement of millions of people. This environmental crisis has fuelled conflict in the region, further undermining food security and complicating efforts to achieve SDG 2.
Despite the challenges posed by climate change, there are opportunities for Nigeria to adapt its agricultural systems and build resilience to climate impacts. One of the most promising approaches is the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA), which integrates sustainable farming practices with strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
CSA focuses on improving soil health, conserving water, and using climate-resilient crop varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions. For example, drought-tolerant and heat-resistant varieties can help farmers maintain yields in the face of rising temperatures and erratic rainfall.
Furthermore, investment in irrigation infrastructure is crucial for reducing Nigeria’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Expanding access to irrigation systems, particularly in northern Nigeria, can help farmers maintain consistent crop production even during periods of drought.
Similarly, improved water management practices, such as rainwater harvesting and soil moisture retention techniques, can increase the resilience of agricultural systems to climate variability.
Also, enhancing early warning systems and climate forecasting can help farmers anticipate and prepare for extreme weather events, reducing the risk of crop failure. Strengthening social safety nets, such as food assistance programs and crop insurance, can also help vulnerable communities cope with the impacts of climate shocks.
Nigeria must prioritise climate adaptation and invest in sustainable agricultural practices that can withstand the pressures of a changing climate. By building resilience in our food systems, we can move closer to achieving zero hunger and securing a more sustainable and food-secure future.
Ahmad resides at FMA2 off Yaya (Petal) Abubakar Road,
Fadamar Mada, Bauchi [email protected]
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