Ask the average Nigerian to name the top three challenges we face today whether as individuals, communities, or as a country and you’ll likely hear the usual suspects: economic hardship, insecurity, and corruption. Rarely will you hear “climate change” mentioned, yet it is a silent but powerful force shaping and worsening all three.
Climate change has long been considered a “Foreign” problem, something distant and abstract to many Africans. But today, it is no longer a future threat. It is a present reality, unfolding in our environment, disrupting livelihoods, and slowly eroding the fabrics of our societies. To fully understand the gravity of the situation, we must take a walk down memory lane and examine how we got here.
Lake Chad: A Vanishing Lifeline
Years ago, Lake Chad was a major economic lifeline for the northeastern region of Nigeria and surrounding countries. It supported over 30 million people across Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, serving as a vital source of water for farming, fishing, and livestock rearing. This massive freshwater lake has now shrunk by over 90% since the 1960s, transforming into a shadow of its former self.
The consequences have been devastating. Entire communities have lost their primary sources of livelihood. Farmlands have dried up, and fishing is no longer sustainable. As the land becomes less productive, people migrate in search of greener pastures, often clashing with others over dwindling resources. This mass displacement is not just an environmental crisis—it is a security crisis.
Climate Change and Conflict: A Dangerous Link
When people lose their means of survival, desperation sets in. Idle minds, as they say, become the devil’s workshop. The Fulani herder crisis, rural banditry, and even the recruitment base for terrorist groups like Boko Haram are all symptoms of a deeper ecological and economic collapse.
This isn’t to say climate change is the only cause of conflict in Nigeria, but it is a significant catalyst. Climate-driven scarcity leads to tension, which quickly escalates into violence. When water and grazing lands dry up, cattle herders are forced to move further south, often clashing with farmers. These clashes have taken thousands of lives and displaced entire villages.
Global Climate Events: A Wake-Up Call
If you think climate change is just a local problem, think again. In 2024, the world watched as Dubai International Airport was flooded. A city built in the desert, known for its towering skyscrapers and futuristic infrastructure, ground to a halt under water. Regions like Morocco and Saudi Arabia recorded four years worth of rainfall in just two days. These aren’t isolated incidents; they are symptoms of a changing planet.
Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity. Droughts are longer, floods are deadlier, and heatwaves are more unbearable. In Nigeria, we’re experiencing this firsthand. The dry season has become hotter than ever. It’s now common to find people unable to use water straight from their shower after work because it’s too hot to touch. Our food supply is under threat as crops wither under scorching sun or are washed away by unseasonal rains.
The Flood Warning: 2025 Forecast
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have issued warnings that over 30 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, are at high risk of flooding in 2025. This is happening even before the rainy season has fully begun.
The consequences of flooding are multi-layered. There is the immediate loss of lives and property, but also the long-term displacement of people, outbreaks of waterborne diseases, and disruption of agricultural production. In a country where the majority still depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, this is a crisis of survival.
The Local Picture: How It Hits Home
Let’s bring it down to the individual level. Climate change affects your water, your food, your health, your income, and your safety.
- Water: Wells and rivers are drying up. The cost of water is rising.
- Food: Crop yields are reducing due to erratic rainfall and extreme temperatures.
- Health: Rising temperatures and poor sanitation during floods lead to diseases like cholera and malaria.
- Income: Farmers, traders, transporters—all are affected by climate-related disruptions.
- Security: More displaced people means more competition for resources and potential conflict.
The reality is this: climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a development issue. It’s about justice, survival, and the future of our communities.
So, What Can We Do?
At UpwardEco, we believe that awareness is the first step to action. Many Nigerians are still unaware of how deeply climate change affects their daily lives. That’s why we’re on a mission to help individuals, households, and businesses understand the crisis we’re facing and what they can do to help and benefit from it.
Through our Green Training Programs, we offer education and skills to enable people to:
- Understand climate issues in practical terms
- Take action to reduce their carbon footprint
- Explore opportunities in the green economy
- Become advocates for sustainability in their communities
The Green Economy: A Pathway to Opportunity
Yes, climate change brings challenges. But it also opens doors to innovation, entrepreneurship, and new jobs. From renewable energy to sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly packaging to waste recycling, there are countless opportunities for Nigerians to lead and earn in this space.
UpwardEco is actively training people to take advantage of these opportunities. Our goal is not just to raise awareness but to build capacity and catalyze action.
How You Can Get Involved
- Educate Yourself: Learn about how climate change affects your region.
- Join Our Training: Visit www.upwardeco.com/green-training/ to sign up for our Green Training Programs.
- Take Action: Start small. Recycle. Reduce waste. Conserve energy.
- Spread the Word: Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about what you’ve learned.
- Support Green Businesses: Choose products and services that are environmentally friendly.
A Call to Action
The climate is changing. That much is clear. What remains to be seen is how we will respond. Will we continue to ignore the warning signs until it’s too late?
Or will we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves, our families, and our future?
At UpwardEco, we are choosing the path of action. And we invite you to walk this path with us. Visit our course page and join our community, take a course, and start your green journey today.
Because the climate is changing. The question is—are you?