By: Abdulmalik Adetola Lawal
Experts and citizens in Nigeria are increasingly recognizing how daunting the effects of climate change can be on the environment, which in turn has adverse effects on the mental health of Nigerians. In April, a major new study revealed that the adverse effects of climate change are likely to become even more deadly in the years to come.
In addition to those who have lost their homes to floods and extreme climate-related disasters, millions of Nigerians have endured record-breaking heatwaves.
An analysis revealed that human-induced climate change made the extreme February temperatures, which soared above 40°C, ten times more likely. The heat persists, with Sokoto, a city in north-western Nigeria, reaching a record 44.8°C on April 1st.
To understand what the effects of climate change feel like in Nigeria, it is important to note that hundreds of people from cities to towns are already battling extreme changes in weather conditions, drought, and most importantly, a significant reduction in agricultural output.
According to a report by the United Nations Environmental and Migration portal, “Nigeria has faced its worst flooding in over a decade, with over 2 million people displaced due to unprecedented climate-related impacts.
The 2022 floods, caused by heavier rainfall attributed to climate change and the release of excess water from the Lagdo dam, affected the majority of areas, including 34 states, and served as a key driver of forced movement and human mobility.
Flood-prone areas across the country have been particularly affected, such as in Anambra, where 526,215 people were displaced because of the 2022 floods, as well as in other states. Bayelsa was the most severely affected, with 700,000 people displaced across 300 communities and villages due to the flooding.”
Many Nigerians now live in fear, with a heightened sense of worry about what the future holds due to the anticipated adverse effects of climate change, which seem almost inevitable if necessary measures are not taken. Integrating environmental and climate change mitigation practices into broader civilian protection efforts is crucial for addressing the needs of frontline communities.
To cope and build resilience, Nigerians need to discover strategies for moving forward both individually and collectively. Researchers also point out that humans have a key advantage: the innate ability to adapt to difficult situations.
