Impact of Climate Change in Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change is an adverse environmental phenomenon that is causing enormous concern all over the world. It refers to some anomalies in the climate system that is a result of human activities. These anomalies include increase in the concentration of GHGs, HFCs and CFCs in earth's atmosphere, which will ultimately lead to global warming. In fact, global warming has already begun, as earth's temperature has risen between 0.4 and 0.8°C in the last 100 years. Nigeria is one of the world's most densely populated countries with a population of 180 million people, half of which are considered to be in abject poverty. Nigeria is recognized as being vulnerable to climate change. Climate change and global warming if left unchecked will cause adverse effects on livelihoods in Nigeria, such as crop production, livestock production, fisheries, forestry and post-harvest activities, because the rainfall regimes and patterns will be altered, floods which devastate farmlands would occur, increase in temperature and humidity which increases pest and disease would occur and other natural disasters like floods, ocean and storm surges, which not only damage Nigerians' livelihood but also cause harm to life and property, would occur. The paper provides a strong starting point and a useful guide for further investigations and solution finding projects, both at the local and international levels which focus on more specific issues like public health, food security, energy, adaptations and barriers to them.

Full text

Iranica Journal of Energy & Environment 2 (2): 145-152, 2011
ISSN 2079-2115
IJEE an Official Peer Reviewed Journal of Babol Noshirvani University of Technology
BUT
Corresponding Author: S.O. Ayoola, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka,
Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria. Tel: +234-80-34650102, E-mail: sayoola@unilag.edu.ng.
145
Impact of Climate Change in Nigeria
A.A. Idowu, S.O. Ayoola, A.I. Opele and N.B. Ikenweiwe
1 2 1 1
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries,
1
Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
2
(Received: November 9, 2010; Accepted: February 4, 2011)
Abstract: Climate change is an adverse environmental phenomenon that is causing enormous concern all over
the world. It refers to some anomalies in the climate system that is a result of human activities. These anomalies
include increase in the concentration of GHGs, HFCs and CFCs in earth’s atmosphere, which will ultimately lead
to global warming. In fact, global warming has already begun, as earth’s temperature has risen between 0.4 and
0.8°C in the last 100 years. Nigeria is one of the world’s most densely populated countries with a population
of 180 million people, half of which are considered to be in abject poverty. Nigeria is recognized as being
vulnerable to climate change. Climate change and global warming if left unchecked will cause adverse effects
on livelihoods in Nigeria, such as crop production, livestock production, fisheries, forestry and post-harvest
activities, because the rainfall regimes and patterns will be altered, floods which devastate farmlands would
occur, increase in temperature and humidity which increases pest and disease would occur and other natural
disasters like floods, ocean and storm surges, which not only damage Nigerians’ livelihood but also cause harm
to life and property, would occur. The paper provides a strong starting point and a useful guide for further
investigations and solution finding projects, both at the local and international levels which focus on more
specific issues like public health, food security, energy, adaptations and barriers to them.
Key words: Impact % Climate change % Nigeria
INTRODUCTION raising of livestock and the decomposition of organic
Climate change refers to some observablewastes and fossil fuels in industrial and agricultural
variations in the climate system that are attributable toactivities; bush burning; and deforestation. All these
human (anthropogenic) activities, especially those thathuman (anthropogenic) activities contribute to alter the
alter the atmospheric composition of the earth andbalance of the equilibrium between the natural GHGs
ultimately lead to global warming. Global warming is(water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide)
closely associated with climate change especially as aand the man-made GHGs (sulfur hexane fluoride-(SF );
co-traveller in the interplay of the equilibrium betweenhydro-fluorocarbons-(HFCs); and perfluorocarbons
the natural and man-made components of the Green(PFCs) in Earth’s atmosphere thus promoting the warming
House Gases (GHGs) that have been eminently adjudgedof both the atmosphere and the oceans since they are
globally as the culprit for the warming of the Earth’sheat-trapping gases.
atmosphere and oceans. The level of these GHGs has increased beyond
Global warming is the term used to describe thenatural level [3]. There is a scientific consensus that the
gradual increase in the average temperature of earth’saverage temperature of Earth has risen between 0.4 and
atmosphere and its oceans [1] a change that is0.8°C in the last 100 years [2]. The increased volume of
permanently changing earth’s climate forever [2]. Globalcarbon dioxide and other GHGs released from the burning
warming is caused by increase in the emission of GHGsof fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture and other human
through the burning of fossil fuels (oils, natural gas and activities are sources of global warming that have
coal), burning of wood, wood products and solid wastes,occurred in the last 50 years [2].
wastes in solid wastes landfills; combustion of solid
6

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GHGs are good absorbers of heat radiation comingpineapple, guava, pawpaw, etc. All the above crops
from Earth’s surface acting like a blanket over itsdepend on rainfall. Where rain is abundant especially in
atmosphere, keeping it warmer than it would be. Enhanced the southern parts of the country, crops that require much
GHGs effect however, is not natural as it acts torain are planted and in the northern part of the country,
destabilize Earth’s radiation balance due to anthropogenic crops that do not require much rain are cultivated. Food
accumulation in Earth’s atmosphere of radioactive GHGs production on the whole has not kept pace with Nigeria’s
especially tropospheric ozone and chlorofluorocarbonspopulation increases.
(CFCs) [1]. It has been suggested that if the current trendClimate change affects crop production in a number
of anthropogenic GHG emissions continue through 2030, of ways, for example, uncertainties and variation in the
Earth is likely to experience an average rise in temperature pattern of rainfall, floods and devastated farmlands, cause
ranging from 1.5 to 4.5°C [4]. pest and diseases migrate in response to climate change
The projected impact on the Earth’s environmentalwhile high temperatures smother crops.
stability and hence changes in global climate wouldIrregular and unpredictable rainfall and sunshine
include: disruption of temperature distribution,hours (albedo and photoperiods) continue to take the toll
precipitation, evapo-transpiration, clouds, air-currents and on hitherto low-level harvests of rice, maize, cassava,
consequential shifts in the vegetation belts; melting ofmelon, sorghum and yam with at least 2.5% decline of
polar ice-caps, rise in sea level that could adversely affect harvests per annum. Cocoa, cashew, oranges, kola nut, oil
low-lying areas and the synergy among these discretepalm, rubber, cotton and coffee production suffer severe
effects. All of these have grave implication for fresh water setbacks under reduced photoperiods with flower and
resources, agriculture and food supply, naturalfruit abortion trends that shot down annual yields by 5.5
ecosystems, biodiversity and human health [5]. metric tonnes/ha. Pest and disease incidences which
Global warming with regional variations hasbecome varied and uncontrollable under extreme weather
capacities for increases and decreases in rainfallevents continue to cause decline in crop harvests,
resulting in floods, landslides and droughts, melting ofespecially that of cowpea, tomatoes, pepper and
polar ice-caps, thermal expansion, surges and acidification groundnuts. Drought and flood extremes feature
of oceans with resultant oceanfront flooding. prominently north wards of the country, affecting crops
The resultant natural disasters such as hurricanes,farming and harvests as well as livestock production, the
bush fires, ocean surges and landslides cause economicfeed of which are mostly crop-based. Flooded farm
losses, population displacements, communal crises,lands/wetlands expansion cause arable land losses for
forced migrations (promoting ecological refugees),crops within the areas with limited crop facility capacities
desertification and widespread soil erosion /depletionand thus reduce root/tuber crops harvest (yam, cassava,
effects. sweet potatoes, Irish potato and cocoyam) by at least
Livelihoods in Nigeria: Nigeria lies between longitudes
2°49' E – 14°37E and latitudes 4°16 N-13° 52N and is in theLivestock Production: Climatic variations between the
' ' '
humid tropics. It has a land area of 923, 850 km . Over 70%Northern and Southern parts contribute to the distribution
2
of Nigeria’s population is engaged in agriculture as theirof animals in the country. Generally, the large ruminants,
primary occupation and means of livelihood. Small-scale, geese, guinea fowls and turkeys are more common in the
resource-poor farmers operating in 0.1 to 5 hectares withNorthern parts of the country where rainfall and humidity
low-level traditional technologies dominating this largeare lower, the dry season is longer the diurnal and
population. seasonal temperature fluctuations are wider.
The Nigerian’s agricultural activities are rain-fed and The availability of natural grasses for grazing is very
the farmers are engaged in crop production, livestocklimited and highly dependent on rainfall which is low in
rearing, fisheries and post-harvest activities. most parts of the North. The Southern parts of the
Crops Production: The crops planted in Nigeria include: wetter and have more parasites and endemic diseases.
annual crops such as cassava, melon, yam, rice,This is because; high temperature and high humidity
groundnuts, peppers, onion, plantain, vegetables, etc.increase the rate of growth of parasites outside their host.
The cash crops are: cocoa, oil palm, cashew, mango,Climatic stress reduces feed, water intake, grazing
coconut rubber, cotton and other fruit crops liketime and hence rate of growth and productivity.
0.25 million metric per annum.
country which have more rainfall and more grazing are

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High temperatures have hindered livestockNigeria’s fisheries (domestic production) profile
(sheep and goat, cattle, poultry and piggery) productioninclude; Artisanal (coastal) fishing (80%) industrial
through retarded reproductive cycles, reduced meat andcoastal (trawl) fishing (10%), Artisanal inland fishing (6%)
milk outputs, as well as their grazing lands. Livestockand Aquaculture (4%). Most of fisheries activities
mortalities (stock losses) have increased in poultry,therefore, occur in the coastal states of Nigeria that
piggery and rodentary production systems to the level ofaccount for 960 km of the coastline (Ayansanwo, 2003).
at least 15% per annum. This is shared by Lagos State (230 km); Ogun State
Animal production as well is affected by increases in (18 km) Ondo State (88 km) Delta State (126 km)
disease and pests (including PPR, foot rot, mange, etc.)Bayelsa/River States (390 km) and Akwa Ibom/Cross River
under the influence of climate change impacts that cutStates (108 km).
investment profits in livestock production system by more The artisanal fisheries in Nigeria involve the
than 20% per annum. livelihoods of the resource poor fishers with a population
Fisheries: Fisheries activities in nigeria take place instates.
marine, brackish water (Estuarine), lakes (Lacustrine) and The Artisanal fishing operations in Nigeria has an
riverine (Rivers) biotopes that account for the variedoutput of 680,000 metric tons per annum. While the
fisheries locations countrywide [6]. A coastal livelihoodIndustrial Coastal (trawl) fishing nets about 85,000 metric
is mainly fisheries. The national fish demand of about 2.0 tons/annum. The Artisanal inland fishing produces 56,000
million metric tons per annum is satisfied by a domesticmetric tons per annum while aquaculture accounts for
supply of about 0.85 million metric tons. The balance of34,000 metric tons per annum. A decline in catch per unit
1.15million metric tons as short fall is often suppliedeffort (CPUE) of 0.85-0.45 metric tons/fisher/year between
through fish imports for the protein intake of at least2004-2008 has been reported from Field Survey of Coastal
55% of Nigeria citizens. Fisheries Activities [7] and is a reflection of the impact of
of about 40 million spread across the eight (8) maritime
Fig. 1: Map of Nigeria showing the coastal areas

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Plate 1: Flood devastated farmland occasioning farming community displacement and emergence of ecological refugees
climate change. Others effects are the flooding of fishClimate change has influenced on labor investments,
ponds especially those sited in wetlands and farmlandsoccupational health, fish landing distance to smoking
nationwide. While the most noticeable impact of climatesheds, water use/irrigation, transportation/communication
change is seen in Nigeria’s coastal areas as erosion ofaccess, resources availability, fuel wood, coconut harvest,
coastline beachfront (especially in Lagos State), thefood crops abundance, reduced fish catches decline
deposition of beach sands (on the Ogun State coastline)livestock production and consequent losses of income.
and mud deposition coastal features (as in the coastalThe impacts of climate changes on the population
areas of Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Crossand livelihoods of Nigeria’s farming communities include
River States). the following:
Post Harvest Activities: Handling and processing ofFloods: Floods that occur with sea transgressions
agricultural products are gender specific. The womensometimes with heavy rainfall become the cause of
apart from assisting their husbands to harvest and carryroad tracks inundation (Plate1), house losses, public
farm products from the farm also dominate the processing health hazards and losses of potable water owing
operations of farm to produce various end products. They to saltwater intrusions into wells and seaside beels
process their agricultural products like cassava into garri,(with losses of 0.1mt /fisher/annually), farmland losses
starch and cassava flour, yam into yam flour, oil palm seed and population displacements (0.18%) and ultimate
into palm oil and palm kernel, paddy rice into processedlivestock mortalities.
parboiled rice, cocoa into dried seeds and processing of
fish and livestock products. They also dominate theOcean Surges: Ocean surges occur as a result of periodic
distribution and marketing of these agricultural products.spilling and plunging sea waves extremes that rapidly
Other means of livelihood include; hunting,inundate the seashores. Ocean surges cause erosion of
blacksmithing, tailoring, carpentry, commodities harvests, farmlands, landslides (between 250-750 m/year), sand
marketing (coconut, etc), driving automobiles anddeposition, mud-accumulation, salination of irrigated
equipment repairing and trading, etc. farmlands and damage to general soil fertility.
Impacts and Vulnerabilities: Climate change affects both Public Health: The attendant impact of climate change on
the livelihoods activities of the farmers as well asthe public health of the Nigeria’s citizens’ farming
sustaining the support activities (fishing, coconutcommunities (over 70% of the population) was reported as
harvests, trading, mat- weaving, shell fish collection etc.). follow [7]:
2

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CRespiratory diseases due to increases in the level ofhousing units (40% annually), loss of post-harvest sheds
pollutants. (30% annually) and processed fish (25% annually),
CMalaria (in more widespread levels within thepoultry/piggery sheds (12% annually) and farmstead
population (70% annually). stores (4% annually).
CSkin ailments (45% annually).
CHeat stroke (4% annually). Loss of Forest Resources: Climate change
CLoss of productivity (40% annually). impacts cause the loss of forest resources such
CPortable water shortages (60% annually) due toas: medicinal plants, mushrooms, cane, etc. The
floods and/or saltwater intrusion. loss have been directly attributed to storm surges,
Storm Surges: Climate change has always influenced the lumbering and forest exploitation (including firewood
wind distribution patterns especially caused by stormprocurement) which has been proceeding in Nigeria
surges that frequently affect Nigeria’s farmingat the annual depletion rate of 400,000 hectares
communities. Storm surges result often in losses of (Plate 2 and 3).
drought, deforestation, bush fires, uncontrolled
Plate 2: Chunk of wood on transportation, result of deforestation.
Plate 3: Firewood carried by a Gwari woman in a deforested part of northern Nigeria

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Livestock Mortalities: Severe livestock (poultry, piggery, Food Security: Nigeria, at present does not enjoy food
etc) mortalities occur under the impact of global pests and security and therefore is more vulnerable to the effect of
diseases such as avian influenza, Swine fever, Swineclimate change. The climatic threats to food security are
influenza (flu), etc, all of which jointly reduce livestockdue to the following factors:
(animal) production by at least 25% annually.
Fish Beel Intrusions: Fish beels that are communityerosion, all of which pose danger to farmlands and
fisheries resources often become inundated with thehence food production.
intrusions of seawater with drastic salinity changes andII Variability in the onset and cessation of rainfall and
the loss of biodiversity (including fish). rainfall amounts.
Mangrove: The loss of mangrove forests gradually is yet agricultural production.
another climate change influenced impact that affectIV Effects of high temperature which hinder livestock
various biodiversity and hence livelihoods. The mangrove and fisheries production, reduce weight gains, feed
that was hitherto more than 1,000,000 hectares had beenconversion efficiency and depress the production of
reduced to 977,700 hectares. Aggressive exploitation forarable crops.
firewood and shellfish procurement, etc, has been
contributory. Barriers/limitations for Adaptations: The
Loss of Roads /Road Tracks: Loss of roads/road tracks asimpacts in Nigeria include:
a result of floods is yet another impact of climate change
especially in the farming communities of Nigeria. This has i. Limited access to credit facilities by the farmers to
always caused some losses of farmlands, crops, livestock, replace lost farm equipment, farm crops, livestock
fish ponds and hence livelihoods. At least, 5 months ofmortalities, fish smoking sheds/processed fish and
inundations/year occur and when experienced, womenreduced marketing opportunities.
cannot market their smoked fish, crops or livestockii. Capability deprivation/limited skills and
regularly and children are prevented from attending knowledge for assuring the pursuit of sustainable
schools. Losses of lives of pupils due to turbulent floodlivelihoods of the farmers e.g. information
and inundated road tracks have also been reported. communication on climate change risks through
Population Displacements and Emergence of Ecologicalsensitization.
Refugees: Climate change impact on the farmingiii. Limited trades organizational opportunities
communities in Nigeria has had to do with population(Co-operatives, etc) for supporting productive
displacements and relocations with immediate villagefarming livelihoods, especially in the farming
abandonment (usually occasioning farmland losses) andcommunities and around inland wetlands and
hence farm occupation decline. At least, 32,000 farmers arefarm locations.
affected annually in Nigeria’s farming communities. iv. Inappropriate public policy provisions for promoting
Energy: Hydro electric power generation is thechange.
energy source and most likely to be affected by climatev. Inadequate presence/interactions of state and local
change. It is sensitive to the amount, timing andgovernments in the coastal states and inland farming
geographical pattern of precipitation as well ascommunities for multivariate livelihoods support
temperature. High temperatures and low rainfall reduceimprovements in extension services delivery systems
transmission capabilities of hydro-electric power stationsand the strengthening of local governments’
nationwide. Excessive drought leads to high evapo-presence through health facilities provision and
transpiration, which adversely affects water volume andsustenance.
the reduction in hydroelectric power generating capacities vi. Absence/limited participatory development planning
and hence reduced energy distribution for allprograms for promoting widespread employment
stakeholders’ uses. opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.
IExtreme weather events, e.g. drought, floods and
III Proliferation of pests and diseases affecting
barriers/limitations for adaptation to climate change
billboards, posters, campaigns, mobilization and
adaptation of relevant stakeholders to climate

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vii. Widespread poverty (over 70% by income index)v. Provision of appropriate community-led management
that continue to cause the exclusion of federal, state
and local governments needs to be improved on
development provision and mitigation of climate
change impact in all farming communities.
viii. Governments’ insensitivity/non-chalance to climate
change impacts in resource-poor areas in the coastal
and inland farming communities, improved
mobilization, sensitization of federal, state and local
governments will be useful.
ix. Limited research information/data, limited awareness
and communication of the knowledge of climate risks
and its impacts to all stakeholders.
x. Lack of balance between risks and benefit
arrangements of industrial and economic
development projects for mitigating the impacts of
climate change on the development projects in
coastal (including oil producing communities) and
other inland farming communities.
Adaptation Strategies: In order to assuage the impacts of
climate change in Nigeria, the under listed adaptation
strategies should be undertaken:
i. Provision of foot-bridges across road tracks/roads
and road passages for use in times of floods
especially in the farming communities.
ii. Rain-water collection systems should be provided for
all stakeholders. Boreholes should also be provided
outside the flood reaches of the possible flood belts
and waterfronts.
iii. Improved presence of local government personnel to
promote:
CEnlightenment/campaigns on public health
needs of the communities.
CProvision of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and
screened windows for households in the farming
communities.
CProvision of revolving drugs fund for meeting
the public health needs of stakeholders in the
communities.
iv. Provision of government subsidized (at least 50%)
of all Agricultural Inputs (Seeds, Fertilizers,
Agro-chemicals, improved local breeds of livestock,
Outboard Engines, fishing nets, etc.) for all
stakeholders in the farming communities. Community
cooperative groups’ formation, credit assistance and
varied support for Women-in-Agriculture involved in
post-harvest operations should be greatly improved.
for seaside/ coastal areas (particularly in the oil
producing communities) to assure improved
agricultural production through:
CShrimp culture
CCage fish culture
CBeel fisheries
CEquipment and inputs provision
vi. Support for stakeholders through empowerment,
training, equipment provision, credit assistance and
training workshop support/provision.
vii. Strengthening of support for service providers at the
community level through:
CCredit assistance for seaside vehicle
transportation systems especially for coastal oil
producing communities.
CBoat haulage systems
CEstablishment of technology development
centers (for all agricultural sub-sectors: crops,
livestock and fisheries alongside the gender-
specific processing and preservation
operations).
viii. Provisions and strengthening of skill
acquisition/development initiatives for all
stakeholders through:
CAgricultural extension training/workshops.
CHealth extension training/ services.
CEquipment and inputs demonstration.
CSeed-money provision for poverty reduction.
CCommunity based organizations’ support
initiatives.
CSkill development centers’ provision.
CCommunity markets provision/expansion.
ix. The federal, state and local governments should
engage in participatory community projects’
implementation through the management of policies
and regulations relevant for the moderation of
agricultural production laws that can assure
sustainable livelihoods and as well help mitigate
change impacts.
x.. The federal, state and local governments
should establish participatory community
consultation systems for farming communities in
Nigeria especially in the coastal oil producing
states for assuring cost-effective, renewable and
sustainable projects, planning and implementation
that can help mitigate the impacts of incessant
climate change.

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