Climate change is increasingly threatening Nigeria’s food production, disrupting farming calendars, reducing yields and exposing farmers to mounting financial losses, stakeholders have warned.
Farmers and agribusiness operators who spoke with Vanguard said unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells, flooding, rising temperatures, pest infestations and crop diseases were making agricultural production increasingly difficult and risky.
They also called for urgent investment in irrigation, climate-resilient crop varieties, extension services, affordable finance, insurance and climate-smart agricultural practices to enable farmers adapt to changing weather conditions.
The concerns come against the backdrop of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, which forecast early-to-normal onset of rains, normal-to-late cessation, normal-to-above-normal rainfall and warmer-than-average temperatures across much of the country.
NiMet also warned of prolonged dry spells in parts of the North and Central regions.
