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Global warming

Climate Change Threatens Nigeria's Agricultural Sector

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Nigeria, a country heavily reliant on its agricultural sector for food and economic security, is facing a significant threat from climate change. Research conducted by scientists from the Peoples Friendship University of Russia has revealed that climate change is disrupting agricultural productivity, threatening the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. The study, published in the Science in One Health journal, highlights the need for effective adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture in Nigeria. Climate change is affecting various aspects of Nigeria's agricultural sector, including crop yields, livestock production, and fisheries, with vulnerable crops such as maize, cassava, and rice being particularly affected.

Key Takeaways:

  • Climate change poses a significant threat to Nigeria's agricultural sector, which is crucial for food and economic security.
  • The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, erratic rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures have disrupted agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
  • Vulnerable crops such as maize, cassava, and rice are particularly affected by climate change, with reduced crop yields, increased pest and disease pressure, and land degradation being key challenges.
  • Livestock production is also impacted, with heat stress and reduced feed availability being major concerns.
  • Fisheries are threatened by shrinking water resources and increasing contamination levels.
  • Adaptation strategies, including crop diversification, improved irrigation, and indigenous knowledge practices, offer some resilience but require substantial policy and financial support.
  • The study emphasizes the need for climate-smart agricultural practices, infrastructure development, and public-private partnerships to mitigate climate-induced risks.
  • The research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 13, and 15, highlighting the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, ecosystem preservation, and adaptive policy frameworks.

Statistics:

  • 2000-2023: The study analyzed data from this period to explore the impacts of climate variability on Nigeria's agricultural sector.
  • 4 venues: The study reviewed research from 4 different peer-reviewed journals, with Science in One Health being the primary publication.
  • 100113: The study's reference number, published in Science in One Health, Journal article ID: 100113.
  • Elsevier: The publisher of the Science in One Health journal, released in 2025.
  • 6.16: Date of publication, June 16, 2025.

Sources:

  • Science in One Health (Elsevier, 2025, 4():100113)
  • Multimpacts of climate change and mitigation strategies in Nigeria: agricultural production and food security (10.1016/j.soh.2025.100113)
  • Peoples Friendship University of Russia Researcher Illuminates Research in Climate Change (Multi-impacts of climate change and mitigation strategies in Nigeria: agricultural production and food security). Global Warming Focus. June 16, 2025; p 578.
  • NewsRx. Peoples Friendship University of Russia Researcher Illuminates Research in Climate Change (Multi-impacts of climate change and mitigation strategies in Nigeria: agricultural production and food security). Global Warming Focus. June 16, 2025; p 578.

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