Drought Occurrence in Northern Nigeria: It’s Effects on the Developmental Efforts of the Sub-Region

Abstract

The steady decline in the amount of rainfall in the Sahel caused by natural and anthropogenic factors and especially the equator-ward spread of the dry sub-tropical high pressure system in the sub-region that influences the moisture laden tropical maritime air mass to be restricted to the southern part of the country. And the drought condition is enhanced through over-cultivation, deforestation and over-grazing, thereby leaving the soil bare that aids the free movement of desert sand commonly noticed on the Northern sub-region of the country. This leads to serious repercussions on productive capacities and basic social services and to overcome this threat, hence the campaign for three planting, forestation, dam constructions and irrigation projects.