Climate Change and Food Security in Nigeria: Exploring the roles Of Government
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63300/Keywords:
Climate Change, Food Security, Green Financing, Government, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. It depends heavily on agriculture for both supply of food and economic growth. The era of food insecurity is becoming intensified across Nigeria as a result of climatic factors which have limited agricultural productivity. Climate change induced alterations such as floods, droughts, erosion, rising temperature, increasing aridity and soil acidity, changes in relative humidity, among others. These have adverse effects on agricultural productivity and food security. Through systematic literature review and participant observation, this study identifies the role of government in enhancing food security and climate resilience in Nigeria. Findings indicate that climate is responsible for low food productivity, herder-farmer crisis and have triggered hunger, poor nutrition and poverty. Also, the Nigerian government at all levels (local, state and federal) has a great role to play in policy formulation and data monitoring towards mitigating the impacts of climate change on food security in Nigeria. This study recommends green financing, more incentivization and awareness creation on green entrepreneurship for food security by the Nigerian government towards mitigating the impacts of climate change on food security in Nigeria. International donors and Nigerian government should sponsor and encourage use of modern and climate friendly farming approach like irrigation, ranching, use of tractors and organic fertilizers to improve food production and reduce herders’ migration that causes conflict that affects food production. It concludes with a clarion call to researchers, lecturers and scholars in Nigeria for deeper and further research on the role of government in enhancing food security
Downloads
References
Abbass, I. M. (2012). No retreat no surrender: Conflict for survival between Fulani pastoralists and farmers in northern Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, 8 (1): 331-346.
Abid.M, Schilling J, Scheffran. J. & Zulfiqar.F.(2016) Climate change vulnerability, adaptation and risk perceptions at farm level in Punjab, Pakistan. Science of Total Environment. 54: 7: 447–460
Adesina.S.O & Loboguerrero.M.A(2021) Enhancing food security through climate-smart agriculture and sustainable policy in Nigeria. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021 W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Handbook of Climate Change Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22759-3_338-1
Agbonkhese,O, Yisa.G.L, Agbonkhese.E.G, Akanbi.D.O, Aka.E.O & Mondigha, E. B. (2013) Road traffic accidents in Nigeria: Causes and preventive measures. Civil and Environmental Research. 3;3(13).
Ahynetal, L. (2018). Nigerian media coverage of herdsmen/farmers' conflicts: A content analysis of some selected Nigerian national dailies. (Paper presented at Faculty of Social Sciences), University of Port Harcourt, Choba.
Agbonkhese. O, Agbonkhese, E. G, Aka, E. O, Joe-Agbaya, J., Ocholi, M & Adekunle, A. (2014) Flood menace in Nigeria: Impacts, remedial and management strategies. Civil and Environmental Research. 2014; 6(4)
Ake, M., Owoeye, G., Ajakaiye, O., Ayantunji, A. K., Apalowo, J., Popoola, O., Joy, O. & Ayantunde, R. T. (2023). Herders-farmers crisis and food security in Nigeria- A case of Benue state. Baltic Journal of Law & Politics, 15 (7), 204-211. DOI: 10.2478/bjlp-2023- 0000014
Akenroye, A. (2024) Takeaways from the #EndBad Governance Protest. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/08/13/takeaways-from-the-endbadgovernance-protest/
Akukwe T.I, Ogbodo.C (2015) Spatial analysis of vulnerability to flooding in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. SAGE Open. 5 (1), 1–19.
Akukwe, T.I., Krhoda, G.O. & Oluoko-Odingo, A.A. (2018) Principal Component Analysis of the Effects of Flooding on Food Security in Agrarian Communities of South Eastern Nigeria. International Journal of Hydrogen, 2, 205-212.
https://doi.org/10.15406/ijh.2018.02.00070
Anabaraonye. B, (2017) Climate change education for sustainable development in Nigeria.
Review of Education, Institute of Education Journal, UNN. Vol. 28:403-414
Anabaraonye. B, Okafor, J.C. & Hope, J. (2020). Educating farmers in rural areas on climate
change adaptation for sustainability in Nigeria. In: Leal Filho W. (Eds.), Handbook of climate change resilience. Springer Nature Switzerland Ag. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/978-3-319-71025-9_184-1
Anabaraonye, B., Okafor, J.C., Ewa, B.O & Anukwonke, C.C. (2021). The impacts of climate change on soil fertility in Nigeria. In: Choudhary, D.K., Mishra, A., Varma, A. (eds) Climate change and the microbiome. Soil Biology, vol 63. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76863-8_31
Anabaraonye, B., Otti, V., Anukwonke, C.C., Ewa, B.O. & Eslamian.S (2022). Impacts of flooding on Nigeria’s educational sector. In Eslamian S. & Eslamian F. (Eds.), Flood Handbook: Principles and Applications. CRC Press, Taylor & Amp; Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, pp. 193-206.
Anabaraonye, B; Ezuma. S; Emone, E; Olisah.N.C. & Ewa, B.O. (2023). The role of the World
Bank Group in green financing to enhance green entrepreneurship in Nigeria. CJoE
Vol 7, (1) 52-55 https://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cjoe/article/view/3848/1551
Anabaraonye (2024). Advancing quality of life through entrepreneurship: the 5 C’s.
Angbulu, S. (2025). Nigeria pursuing climate smart practices for food security. https://punchng.com/nigeria-pursuing-climate-smart-practices-for-food-security-tinubu
Ani, J.K, Anyika, O.V. & Mutambara, E. (2022). The impact of climate change on food and human security in Nigeria. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management.Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 148-167
Bedeke, S. B. (2023). Climate change vulnerability and adaptation of crop producers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review on concepts, approaches, and methods. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 25(2): 1017-1051.
Birsel, R. (2019). Flood, fire and plague: Climate change blamed for disasters. Retrieved From Https://Www.Theguardian.Pe.Ca/News/World/Flood-Fire-And-Plague-Climate-Change-Blamed-For-Disasters-375852
Dauda., R. (2023). Climate change and food security in Nigeria. EPR Journal, pg 17-23.
Erlandson, J. M. (2012). As the world warms: Rising seas, coastal archaeology, and the erosion of maritime history. J. Coast. Conservation 16, 137–142. doi:10.1007/s11852-010-0104-5
Elferink M, Schierhorn F (2016) Global demand for food is rising. Can we meet it. Harv Bus Rev 7 (4):2016
Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) (2013). Nigeria food security update: Food insecurity increases in Regions affected by flooding and conflict”. Pg. 1–2.
Federal Government of Nigeria (2013). Nigeria post-disaster needs assessment – 2012 floods. Available at: https://www.gfdrr.org/
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2015). Climate change and food security: risks and responses. https://www.fao.org/3/i5188e/I5188E.pdf
GlobalUpfrontnews (April 15, 2025) Nigeria hunger worsens despite presidential food emergency declaration. https://globalupfront.com/2025/04/15/nigeria-hunger-worsens-despite-presidential-food-emergency-declaration/
Higuera Roa, O., O’Connor, J., Ogunwumi, T. S., Ihinegbu, C., Reimer Lynggaard, J., Sebesvari, Z., et al. (2022). Technical Report: Lagos Floods.
Ibeogu. A.S. & Abah, E.O. (2016). The role of government in strengthening food security towards rural development by Ebonyi State Agricultural Development Programme (EB-ADP) 2011-2015. Research Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Management. Vol. 5(1), pp. 011-018, January, 2016
Ibrahim. L.A. & Ibrahim, M.S. (2024). Climate change, food security and the attainment of sustainable development goals in Nigeria. Journal of Political Discourse. Vol. 2:1.1. www.jopd.com.ng
Idoko, I. D. (2016). An impact assessment of flooding on food security among rural farmers in Dagiri Community of Gwagwalada Area Council. Abuja, Nigeria. Asian Online Journal Publishing Group.
Ikani D.I. (2016). An impact assessment of flooding on food security among rural farmers in Dagiri Community of Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. Nigeria. Agricultural Development. Vol 1(1): 6–13.
IPCC (2001) Climate change 2001: The scientific basis Contribution of working group I to the third assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Published by the press syndicate of the University of Cambridge, The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom. First published 2001. https://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/wg1/pdf/WGI_ TAR_full_report.pdfI
IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) (2007). Fourth assessment report. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2007.
Iruoma, K. (2021). Special report: Communities groan as erosion ravages farmlands, threatens food security in South-East, Nigeria. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/452915-special-report-communities-groan-as-erosion-ravages-farmlands-threatens-food-security-in-south-east-nigeria.html
Jeb, D.N. & Aggarwal. S.P. (2008). Flood inundation hazard modelling of the River Kaduna using remote sensing and geographic information systems. Journal of Applied Sciences Research. Vol 4 (12):1822–1833.
Kagu. A; Badawi, .H, Abba, J.M. (2013). Assessment of domestic wastewater disposal in some selected wards of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of Geography and Geology, Vol. 5:4; 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jgg.v5n4p83
Klaudia.S., Marzena.P. & Aleksandra, B. (2018). Innovative solution in monitoring system in flood protection. Poland, AGH University of Science and Technology, Department of Hydrogeology and Geology Engineering, Krakow,
McCuster, B. & Carr, E. R. (2006). The co-production of livelihoods and land use change: Case studies from South Africa and Ghana. Geoforum. Vol. 37(5), 790-804.
Mochizuki, Y., & Bryan, A. (2015). Climate change education in the context of education for sustainable development: Rationale and principles. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 9(1), 4–26. doi.org/10.1177/0973408215569109.
Mojeed.A.(2023). ANALYSIS: Real reasons Nigeria has a food security problem. Premium Times. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/agriculture/610096-analysis-real-reasons- nigeria-has-a- food-security-problem.html
Njoku, C. G; Efiong, J; & Ayara, N. N. (2020). A geospatial expose of flood-risk and vulnerable areas in Nigeria. Int. J. Appl. Geospatial Res. 11 (3), 1–24. doi:10.4018/IJAGR.20200701.oa1
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) (2016). Attribution of extreme weather events in the context of climate change. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press
Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) (2024). Policy brief on the status of food security: Dimensioning of the crises, policy options and strategic responses. www.nesgroup.org
Nkwunonwo, U.C. (2016). A review of flooding and flood risk reduction in Nigeria. Global
Journal of Human-Social Science: B- Geography, Geo-Sciences, Environmental Science & Disaster Management, 16(2), 23-42.
Nwaobiala. C.U, Nwosu.I.E (2014). Effect of climate change on cassava farmers’ output in Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agric& Rural Development. 17(1):1628-1634.
OCHA (2012). Nigeria: Floods Situation Report No. 1. p. 1–6. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Odufuwa B.O; Adedeji O.H, Oladesu J.O, et al (2012). Floods of fury in Nigerian cities. Journal of Sustainable Development. 5(7).
Ojigi ML, Abdulkadir FI, Aderoju M.O. (2013) Geospatial mapping and analysis of the 2012 Flood Disaster in Central Parts of Nigeria. Paper presented at the 8th National GIS Symposium, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Olajoke. A, Akeem, B.M & Ikotun, S.A (2013) Impacts of flood disaster in Agege local government area Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 2(4), 2354-2367
Olajuyigbe, A.E, Rotowa, O.O; Durojaye E. (2012). An assessment of flood hazard in Nigeria: The case of Mile 12, Lagos. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 3(2), 366–377.
Oladunjoye, M. (2011). Nigeria: July 10 flooding–Lagos gives relief materials to victims. Lagos State, Nigeria: Daily Champion Newspaper. Accessed January 30, 2024.
Oluwaseun.A.O(2024) The impact of drought on food security in Nigeria. https://blueprint.ng/the-impact-of-drought-on-food-security-in-nigeria/
Onnoghen, U. N., Ojong, A. A., Omang, T. N., Obibessong, V and Asor, L. J. (2020) Environmental education: A potent tool for the attainment of sustainable development
goals (Good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean
energy and sustainable cities and communities) in South-South Nigeria. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, Vol. 17(8), 1198-1210.
Onnoghen, N.U; Idika, D. O; Anabaraonye, B, Ewa, B.O. & Hope.J.(2024) Enhancing nature
education research for environmental sustainability in Nigeria. Juniper Online Journal of Public Health. Vol. 8:5. ISSN:2573-2153.
Onnoghen, N.U, Orji. E.I, Olisah. N.C. & Anabaraonye. B (2024). The impacts of climate change
on sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. Journal of Civil Engineering and Applications. Vol. 5(1): 12-15.
Osadebe, N.O; Emone, E; Omilabu, A.S; Okafor, C.J. & Anabaraonye, B. (2023). The role of government in enhancing climate finance and green innovations for sustainable development in Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Arts. Vol. 5(1): 18-21
Orok, H.I. (2011). A GIS-Based flood risk mapping of Kano City, Nigeria. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich; 2011.
Pickson, R. B., Gui, P., Chen, A., & Boateng, E. (2023). Examining the impacts of climate change and political instability on rice production: empirical evidence from Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-20.
Solomon, E., and Edet, O. G. (2018). Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies among farm households in Delta State, Nigeria. Curr. Investigations Agric. Curr. Res. 5 (3). doi:10.32474/ ciacr.2018.05.000213
Solomon, B. L. (2021). Impact of the farmers and herdsmen conflict on food security: Focus on Taraba State. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 5(3): 564-573.
Tersoo, J. (2016). The political economy of crisis and underdevelopment in Africa: selected works of Claude Ake. Port Harcourt: Jad Publishers.
Tsojon, J.D. (2017). Impact of climate change on agricultural production by farmers in Taraba state. Niger Int J Entrep Dev Educ Sci Res. Vol 4(1). 178-190.
Udo, C. O. (2021). The Impact of Herdsmen/Farmers Clashes on Food Security in Nigeria. AKSU Journal of Administration and Corporate Governance (AKSUJACOG). https://aksujacog.org.ng/articles/21/12/the-impact-of-herdsmen/farmers-clashes-on-food-security-in-nigeria/
Ukpe, W. (2025). Food security: A case for extending Nigeria’s import policy. https://www.verivafrica.com/insights/food-security--a-case-for-extending-nigerias-import-policy
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (1992). https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf. Accessed April 2024
USAID (2017). Food assistance fact sheet: Nigeria. https://www.usaid.gov/nigeria/foodassistance
UN-Water (2011) Cities coping with water uncertainties. Media Brief, UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication.
Vanguard (2017) Nigeria needs $140bn to fight climate change —World Bank Expert. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/nigeria-needs-140bn-fight-climate-change-world-bank-expert/
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Our journal adopts CC BY License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://Creativecommons.org//license/by/4.0/ . It allows using, reusing, distributing and reproducing of the original work with proper citation.