Northern Nigeria is facing a deepening food security crisis as climate change continues to shrink water availability for crops, disrupting farming patterns and threatening the livelihoods of millions. According to food security experts and humanitarian organizations, an estimated 31 million Nigerians are already facing food insecurity, with the numbers expected to rise unless urgent action is taken.
Shrinking Water Supplies, Withering Crops
In regions like Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, and Borno, farmers are reporting poor crop yields due to prolonged dry spells, erratic rainfall, and the reduction of water sources traditionally used for irrigation.
“Rain-fed agriculture is collapsing in some northern zones. We’ve never seen rivers drying up so fast,” says Abubakar Suleiman, an agronomist based in Yobe State. Lake Chad, once a lifeline for over 30 million people across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has reportedly shrunk by 90% since the 1960s, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The drying landscape is forcing farmers to abandon traditional crops, migrate, or resort to subsistence farming that barely feeds their families.
31 Million People Food Insecure — And Rising
According to the Cadre Harmonisé report published in March 2025 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Nigeria’s National Programme for Food Security, about 31 million people are currently food insecure in Nigeria. This figure includes over 3 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Key drivers include:
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Climate change-induced droughts and flooding
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Persistent conflict and displacement, especially in the North East
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High inflation and rising food prices
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Poor agricultural infrastructure and input shortages
“The climate crisis is becoming a hunger crisis,” warns FAO Nigeria Country Director, Fred Kafeero. “If immediate mitigation steps are not taken, the number of food-insecure Nigerians could exceed 40 million by 2026.”
Conflict Amplifies the Crisis
Climate change is not acting alone. Ongoing insecurity from banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and terrorism, particularly from groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, has driven thousands off their lands, further compounding the food production gap.
“Many farmers can’t plant or harvest because it’s simply too dangerous,” says Binta Musa, a humanitarian worker in Zamfara. “When land is not cultivated, food shortages follow.”
According to the International Crisis Group, over 700,000 people in Northern Nigeria have been displaced due to climate-related and security challenges, drastically reducing active agricultural participation.
Economic Fallout and Inflation
As food becomes scarcer, prices are surging. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that the food inflation rate reached 40.5% in April 2025, the highest in over a decade. Staples like rice, maize, and tomatoes have become unaffordable for many.
Traders in Kaduna’s Central Market confirm that a bag of rice now costs over N80,000, up from N55,000 six months ago. This inflation is pushing more households below the poverty line.
What Can Be Done?
Experts say addressing Nigeria’s growing food insecurity requires a multi-pronged response that tackles both climate adaptation and infrastructure investment. Recommended actions include:
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Investment in irrigation: Shift from rain-fed to sustainable irrigation systems.
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Climate-resilient crops: Promote drought-tolerant seed varieties.
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Reforestation and watershed protection: Prevent further desertification.
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Peacebuilding in rural communities: Ensure access to land for farmers.
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Strengthened agricultural policy: Revise national strategies to reflect current climate realities.
Organizations like the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank are supporting initiatives in climate-smart agriculture across Nigeria, but broader government involvement and policy execution remain crucial.
Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads
Northern Nigeria’s food crisis is a stark warning of how climate change and insecurity intersect to undermine basic survival. If left unchecked, the ripple effects — from malnutrition to migration and civil unrest — could become unmanageable.
Nigerians must not only ask what the government is doing, but also what role communities, researchers, businesses, and international partners can play in building food security for future generations.
Last Updated on May 13, 2025 by kingstar
