Nigeria faces rising climate risks and floods ^{CEFR B2}

Nigeria's position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert creates strong north–south contrasts in rainfall and temperature. The south receives heavy rain from the Atlantic and the Cameroon Highlands, while the far north is drier and exposed to hot, dry Saharan winds. Between 1991 and 2020 Nigeria recorded an average yearly temperature of 27.3 degrees Celsius and ranked 41st of 234 countries.

Exposure to extreme weather is rising. The World Risk Index placed Nigeria 60th of 193 countries in 2025 and 61st in 2024, a result linked to worsening disaster severity and limited official preparedness. Flooding is the most prominent climate disaster: in 2024 floods caused 280 deaths, 2,504 injuries, destroyed 122,330 homes, damaged 17,000 acres of farmland and displaced about 641,500 people. Drought and heat waves affect the north most severely.

Displacement and migration are serious concerns. In 2022 Nigeria recorded the third-highest internal displacement rate in Africa, driven mainly by conflict and flooding. Disaster-related migration in North-Central and North-West Nigeria accounted for seven percent, with reported state shares such as Kogi 90 percent, Katsina 15 percent, Nasarawa 14 percent, Kano 12 percent and Kaduna 12 percent. Agriculture remains central to the economy, contributing over 31 percent of GDP in the third quarter of 2025; floods shrink output, damage livelihoods and reduce jobs, and women are disproportionately affected. Kano State reported 2024 flooding damaged over 25 percent of expected agricultural output, caused 26 deaths, 50 injuries and destroyed more than 1,000 houses.

Scientific research adds urgency. The Climatic Research Unit found 2024 was the hottest year on record and stated: "Each of the last four decades has been successively warmer than any decade that preceded it since 1850. Human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years." Human activities cited include increased gas flaring, oil spills, carbon emissions from transport vehicles and agricultural emissions. Communities and organisations are adopting solutions: for example, Green Quest, founded by Grace James, uses gamification and community action to reduce flooding risks. The government has begun collaborative policies and infrastructure initiatives, but more innovation and wider public engagement are needed to reduce future harm.