The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has raised concerns over the devastating impact of climate change on Nigeria’s food system, describing it as a critical threat to the nation’s agricultural foundation.
Speaking at a recent event, Chief Nnaji highlighted the severe consequences of climate change, including annual floods that destroy over 100,000 hectares of farmland, displacing millions and drastically reducing food availability. He also pointed out that more than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s inland water bodies are under threat due to pollution and climate change, leading to declining fish stocks and jeopardising the livelihoods of millions of artisanal fishers.
The minister further emphasised the alarming shrinkage of the Lake Chad Basin, which has reduced by over 90 per cent since the 1960s, severely impacting water supply for irrigation and livestock in the Northeast region.
“Over 95 percent of Nigerian farmers depend on unpredictable rainfall, leaving them highly vulnerable to droughts and erratic weather patterns,” he said.
Despite Nigeria’s potential to be a net exporter of agricultural products, the country currently spends over $10 billion annually on food imports. Additionally, while more than 70 per cent of Nigerians rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, only 15 per cent of rural communities have access to electricity. This lack of infrastructure for post-harvest processing and storage contributes to food losses exceeding 50 per cent.
To address these challenges, Chief Nnaji outlined the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology’s (FMIST) commitment to leveraging science, technology, and innovation as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s climate resilience strategy.
“Our National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (2022) serves as the blueprint for harnessing technology to secure food production, ensure energy access, and promote environmental sustainability,” he stated.
The minister highlighted several innovative initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and enhancing food security:
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Nigeria has enhanced food security through innovations such as Tela maize and climate-adaptive cotton, which are resistant to drought, pests, and extreme weather conditions. These crops ensure higher productivity with lower environmental impact.
Digital Agriculture and Smart Farming: Nigeria has adopted AI-driven precision farming, automated irrigation, and remote sensing technologies from its space agency. These tools help smallholder farmers predict weather patterns, optimize inputs, and minimize losses.
Clean Cooking Initiative: Nigeria is adopting cutting-edge Low Pressurised Compressed Natural Gas (LPCNG) cylinder technology to make clean cooking energy affordable. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on deforestation-driven biomass fuels.
Sustainable Financing Mechanisms: The minister emphasized the importance of unlocking climate finance to scale up these solutions. Nigeria is exploring Green Bonds, Climate Resilience Funds, the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, and Public-Private Partnerships to support these initiatives.
“While innovation is critical, no solution is viable without sustainable financing mechanisms,” Chief Nnaji said. “Nigeria is committed to scaling up these solutions to build a resilient and sustainable future.”
Stay tuned for more updates on Nigeria’s efforts to combat climate change and strengthen its food system.
