Constraints and limits to climate change adaptation efforts in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is experiencing adverse climate conditions with negative impacts on the welfare of millions of people. Persistent droughts and flooding, off season rains and dry spells have sent growing seasons out of track, in a country dependent on a rain-fed agriculture. The result is reduced water supplies for use in agriculture, hydro power generation and other users. It is widely believed that climate change is responsible for all these as reported in the 4th IPCC Assessment Report, which suggests that Africa will be worst hit by the effects of climate change of which Nigeria is a part. Farmers were facing a lot of climate change induced challenges on their farms of which flooding, erratic rainfall, high temperature and low crop yield are the most prominent. The Nigerian government have made efforts to curtail these challenges by promoting various adaptation measures. These include provision of improved crop varieties, fertilizers, irrigation schemes and geo-data. Most of these measures are not well received by the farmers due to cultural and religious sentiments, illiteracy, language barrier and unwillingness to change mode of farming. The paper assessed the adaptation measures and the barriers of adoption and proffered solutions for acceptance. The results of the study will be beneficial for agricultural ministries, departments and agencies in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa.