Climate Change: A Threat to Food Security in Nigeria

This paper reviewed how natural and anthropogenic sources of climate change interfere with the pillars of food security in Nigeria. All the pillars of food security were found to be affected by factors of climate change. Increased atmospheric temperature was reported to decrease farming activities due to the impact of heat waves on the farming families. Young farmers resort to withdrawing from farms as a coping strategy but sometimes regroup to engage in dubious meetings leading to youth restiveness and insurgency. Thus, youths’ restiveness and insurgency in Nigeria has remote link to global warming. These has resulted in destruction of farmlands, contamination of fishing waters, displacement of farming families, reduction of farming activities, abandonment of families leading to decreased food supply, increased food shortage, soaring food prices, disruption of food marketing distribution system, reduction in food processing and utilization activities. Family displacement also led to poor meal planning and nutrient deficit which can trigger malnutrition, intensified hunger, reduces purchasing power and food security. Other emerging concerns of food security connected to climate change include flooding of farmlands and environs increased fire outbreak, increased migration of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle from North to Southern Nigeria. All these results in destruction of farmlands, displacement and killing of farming families while creating food insecurity, Reforestation, introduction of peace, close monitoring of climate change, creation of grazing fields and adoption of ranches are some of the recommendations made.