Is Nigeria Ready for Climate Change?

By Caroline Ameh

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present reality with visible impacts in Nigeria—from unpredictable rainfall and desertification in the north to coastal erosion and flooding in the south. As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The question is not whether climate change will affect Nigeria—it already is—but rather: Is Nigeria ready to handle it?

From the vanishing Lake Chad in the northeast to the surging Atlantic swallowing Lagos’s coastline, the signs are everywhere: climate change is no longer an approaching storm. It is here, and it is transforming the way Nigerians live, farm, move, and survive. But as Africa’s most populous nation stares down rising temperatures, floods, and dwindling natural resources, one urgent question looms large: Is Nigeria ready for climate change?

In northern Nigeria, entire communities are retreating as desertification devours farmland. Once fertile areas in Sokoto and Yobe now crack under relentless heat, pushing farmers and herders into a fierce contest for shrinking resources. Down south, it’s a different story: water everywhere. In 2022, floods displaced over 1.4 million people, killing hundreds and wiping out crops and homes.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has repeatedly warned that the country will continue to see more intense weather events. Floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns are already disrupting agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Yet, responses remain largely reactive.

Nigeria has shown ambition on the international stage. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, it pledged to cut emissions by 20% unconditionally, and up to 45% with international support, by 2030. The Climate Change Act of 2021 was heralded as a milestone, setting up the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to steer national efforts.

But critics argue that lofty targets often drown in bureaucratic bottlenecks. “We have excellent policies, but implementation is the missing link,” says Dr. Emeka Okonkwo, an environmental policy expert says “Climate change isn’t a future problem for Nigeria; it’s now. Yet most states lack the technical know-how or funding to act.”

In Bayelsa and Anambra, residents no longer talk of “rainy seasons” but of “flood months.” Crops rot in the fields, and children wade to school. In Benue, farmers are confused: rains come too early or too late, destroying harvests.

Still, many communities adapt with local knowledge and innovation. In Plateau State, some farmers are experimenting with drought-resistant crops. In Lagos, startups are exploring flood-resilient housing designs. Yet these efforts are often isolated and underfunded.

To meet its climate commitments, Nigeria needs an estimated $140 billion by 2030. Yet climate finance—both domestic and international—has been insufficient. Green bond initiatives and renewable energy schemes like the Solar Power Naija project have shown promise, but scale remains limited.

“We need climate funding that gets to the grassroots,” insists Ibrahim Musa, a youth activist in Kano. “Communities on the frontlines need tools and training, not just talk.”

Amid the challenges, a generation of young Nigerians is stepping up. From tree-planting campaigns in Kaduna to eco-activism in Port Harcourt, youth movements are growing louder. NGOs and innovators are creating apps for climate education and clean energy access.

“We may not have all the money or power, but we have ideas,” says Blessing Etim, climate enthusiast . “Climate action in Nigeria must be people-led and homegrown.”

Nigeria is not yet ready for the full brunt of climate change—but it can be. The foundation is there: laws, frameworks, brilliant minds, and resilient communities. What’s needed now is urgent, inclusive, and sustained action. The future of over 200 million people depends on it.