The impact of climate change on Nigeria to include desert encroachment, ocean surge in the south and gully erosion

Climate change news from Nigeria

The Nigeria Ministry of environment held a round table discussion on climate change with the support of development partners, in Abuja Nigeria (Nigeria's federal capital).

The meeting had in attendance stakeholders in environment and climate issues, including the Nigeria national Petroleum corporation - a major player in the climate change challenges.

The minster, John Odey, reiterated the impact of climate change on Nigeria to include desert encroachment, ocean surge in the south and gully erosion in the east and south. He asked for concerted efforts to stem this tide in the country if the nation is to be on a path to sustainable development.

The minister also said the country's vulnerability is caused by the following; long coastal area, high population density, low capacity to technology, rain-fed agriculture to grow our economy etc. He further said plans are under way to involve the business sectors, civil society organisations, energy sectors, and the local government in the efforts to fight climate change challenges in the country.

In another development, the acting vice chancellor of Nigeria's largest University (the Ahmadu Bello University), Zaria, stated on 27th of August 2009 that the greatest danger the nation faces is environmental degradation. The acting vice chancellor-Professor Jarlath Umoh was speaking at the Nigeria television authority college at Jos, during the matriculation ceremony of the school. He said twenty years from now, there could be conflict and war in the country if care is not taken over water, farmlands, grazing lands, cattle routes and firewoods etc. He said this would result from a gradual declining degradation of resources for survival and increase in rural poverty.

Fatoki Taiye Timmy
A young Nigerian Environmental/climate change Advocate
Programme Officer 1
Partnership Against Poverty (PAP6)
Ondo State, Nigeria