NAVIGATING NIGERIA’S CHANGING AGRO-ECOLOGICAL REALITIES THROUGH CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE FOR ENHANCED FOOD SECURITY
Abstract
This work, Navigating Nigeria’s Changing Agro-Ecological Realities through Climate-Smart Agriculture for Enhanced Food Security, investigates the multifaceted impact of climate change on agriculture in Nigeria and evaluates the role of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) as a mitigation and adaptation strategy. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and Systems Theory, this research underscores how agricultural systems are dynamically influenced by climate variability and socioeconomic structures. Employing a qualitative-descriptive methodology, data were sourced from relevant literature, institutional reports, and policy documents to assess the effectiveness and adoption challenges of CSA practices across Nigeria’s agro-ecological zones. Findings reveal that rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events—such as floods and droughts—are severely disrupting agricultural productivity, particularly in the northern and coastal regions. Crop failures, livestock mortality, and resource conflicts are compounding food insecurity and rural poverty. CSA practices—such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and drought-tolerant crops—have shown promise in improving resilience, especially in the Kaduna and Katsina States. However, adoption remains low because of cultural resistance, limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, and policy fragmentation. The study concludes that CSA presents a transformative and people-centered approach to climate adaptation and food security in Nigeria. However, its success hinges on institutional coherence, rural infrastructure investment, and inclusive governance. The study recommends, among other things, the integration of CSA principles into national agricultural extension programmes.
Keywords:
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Climate Change Adaptation, Agricultural Resilience, Food Security, Nigeria.Downloads
Published
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15441402Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 NguumburVande, Ukohol, F.Y, Iorbee Ahwen Andrew , Sesugh Uker

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Abdullahi, M., Musa, A. A., & Sani, R. (2021). Climate-smart agriculture practices and farmer awareness in Northern Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 15(3), 92–101. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST2021.3001
Adebayo, E. F., and Oruonye, E. D. (2018). Impact of climate change on food security in Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 14(1), 31–42.
Adebayo, O. A., Aboluwade, A. T., and Okuneye, B. A. (2021). Climate change and food security in Nigeria: Emerging issues and policy directions. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment, 8(2), 45–61.
Adejuwon, S. A. (2016). Climate change and agriculture in Nigeria: Challenges and adaptation strategies. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 9(7), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.5897/JGRP2016.0581
Agwu, A. E., Dimelu, M. U., & Madukwe, M. C. (2008). Innovation system approach to agricultural development: Policy implications for extension delivery in Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(11), 1604–1611.
Ajayi, O. C., & Akinnifesi, F. K. (2007). Farmers’ understanding of the concepts and practices of agroforestry in Nigeria: Implications for rural development. Journal of Agricultural and Food Information, 8(4), 47–67. https://doi.org/10.1300/J108v08n04_06
Ajayi, O. C., Catacutan, D., Sileshi, G. (2016). Adoption of climate-smart agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa: Strategies, dynamics, and constraints. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 6(4), 107–115.
Akinbile, C. O., and Yusuff, M. A. (2018). Conservation of agriculture for climate change mitigation and food security in Nigeria. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 25(5), 411–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2018.1434003
Akinseye, F. M., Ajayi, O. C., & van Ittersum, M. K. (2020). Enhancing crop productivity in Nigeria through climate-smart agriculture: A case study of maize systems in the savannas. Field Crops Research, 248, 107712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2019.107712
Akinyele, O. J., & Dauda, R. O. (2021). ICT usage in climate-smart agriculture among crop farmers in southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 25(1), 62–75. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v25i1.6
Akudugu, M. A., Dittoh, S., and Mahama, E. S. (2019). Policy and institutional constraints to developing climate -smart agriculture in West Africa. Climate and Development, 11(1), 69–81. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2018.1442793
Apata, T. G., Samuel, K. D., & Adeola, A. O. (2009). Analysis of climate change perceptions and adaptations of arable food crop farmers in South Western Nigeria. Contributed paper to the International Association of Agricultural Economists Conference, Beijing, China.
Ayanlade, A., Radeny, M., & Morton, J. F. (2018). Climate variability and change in semi-arid northern Nigeria: Perceptions, impacts, and coping strategies. Climate Risk Management, 20, 52–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2018.02.001
Ayoade, J. O., Adebayo, S. B., and Adewale, A. R. (2019). Effects of drip irrigation systems on vegetable crop productivity in northern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science, 24(1), 80–89.
Babalola, D. A., Adeoti, A. I., & Adereti, F. O. (2022). Gender disparity and climate change adaptation in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. International Journal of Gender and Development Issues, 5(1), 11–23.
Beuchelt, T. D., & Badstue, L. (2013). Gender, nutrition- and climate-smart food production: Opportunities and trade-offs. Food Security, 5(5), 709–721. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-013-0290-8
Blench, R. (2021). Conflicts in natural resources in Nigeria and their impact on food security. Africa Spectrum, 56(3), 245–261. https://doi.org/10.1177/00020397211044243
CBN. (2021). NIRSAL Microfinance Bank Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative. Central Bank of Nigeria. Available online: https://nmfb.com.ng.
Checkland, P. (1999). Systems thinking and systems practice: Includes a 30-year retrospective. Wiley.
Chukwu, K. E. (2020). Desertification and its effects on rural livelihoods in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science and Public Health, 4(3), 233–245.
DFID. (1999). Sustainable livelihood guidance sheets. Department for International Development. Available online: https://www.ennonline.net/attachments/871/dfid-sustainable-livelihoods-guidance-sheet-section1.pdf
Erenstein, O., Sayre, K., Wall, P., Hellin, J., & Dixon, J. (2012). Conservation agriculture in maize- and wheat-based systems in the developing world: Lessons learned over 15 years of research. Field Crops Research 132, 117–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2011.10.009
Eze, S. O., Anyaegbunam, H. N., & Ajaero, C. K. (2018). Barriers to the adoption of conservation agriculture by smallholder farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, 16(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.9734/JAERI/2018/42798
Ezenwaji, E. E., Otti, V. I., & Okoye, A. C. (2020). Agricultural practices and ecological transformation in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable development. International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 8(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.15739/IJAPR.20.001
FAO. (2008). Introduction to the Basic Concepts of Food Security. Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/al936e/al936e00.pdf
FAO. (2013). Climate-smart agriculture sourcebook; 2013. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available online: https://www.fao.org/3/i3325e/i3325e.pdf
FAO. (2015). Climate-Smart Agriculture in Nigeria: Country Profile. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available online: https://www.fao.org/3/i4281e/i4281e.pdf
FAO. (2019). Building resilience against climate change-related shocks in Nigeria. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO. (2019). Climate-Smart Agriculture in Nigeria: Country Profile; 2019. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO. (2019). Pastoralism in African drylands: Reducing risks, addressing vulnerability and enhancing resilience. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO. (2021). Irrigation in Africa in figures: AQUASTAT survey 2020. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO. (2022). Nigeria at a glance. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available online: https://www.fao.org/nigeria/fao-in-nigeria/nigeria-at-a-glance/en/
Federal Government of Nigeria. (2021). Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/NDCStaging/Pages/All.aspx
Federal Ministry of Environment. (2014). National Policy on Desertification and Drought. Abuja, Nigeria.
FMARD. (2014). National Agricultural Resilience Framework. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
FMARD. (2016). The Agricultural Promotion Policy (2016–2020): The Green Alternative. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
FMARD. (2017). Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) 2016–2020. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Garrity, D. P., Akinnifesi, F. K., Ajayi, O. C., Weldesemayat, S. G., Mowo, J. G., Kalinganire, A., ... & Bayala, J. (2010). Evergreen agriculture: A robust approach to sustainable food security in Africa. Food Security, 2(3), 197–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-010-0070-7
Giller, K. E., Witter, E., Corbeels, M., & Tittonell, P. (2015). Conservation agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa: The heretics’ view. Field Crops Research, 114(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2009.06.017
HarvestPlus Nigeria. (2020). Biofortification impact on Nigeria: Results and evidence brief. https://www.harvestplus.org
IFAD. (2021). Nigeria Country Programme Report. International Fund for Agricultural Development. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/w/country/nigeria
IFAD. (2021). Nigeria: Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). International Fund for Agricultural Development. Available online: https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/project/id/1100001721
Ifejika Speranza, C. (2017). Resilient adaptation to climate change in African agriculture. GAIA-Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 26(3), 222–227. https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.26.3.10
IITA. (2020). Annual Report: Climate-Smart Innovations in West Africa. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Available online: https://www.iita.org
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate change 2021: The physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1.
IPCC. (2022). Climate change 2022: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Available online: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
Lipper, L., Thornton, P., Campbell, B. M., Baedeker, T., Braimoh, A., Bwalya, M., ... & Hottle, R. (2014). Climate-smart agriculture for food security. Nature Climate Change, 4(12), 1068–1072. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2437
Meinzen-Dick, R., Quisumbing, A., Behrman, J., Biermayr-Jenzano, P., Wilde, V., Noordeloos, M., ... & Beintema, N. (2017). Engendering agricultural research. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
NASC. (2021). National Agricultural Seeds Council Annual Report. https://seedcouncil.gov.ng/
National Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Nigerian Gross Domestic Product report Q1 2023. https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary
National Emergency Management Agency. (2022). Flood disaster situation report. Abuja, Nigeria.
NiMet. (2020). Nigeria Climate Review Bulletin, 2019 . Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
NiMet. (2022). Seasonal Climate Prediction Bulletin. Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Available online: https://www.nimet.gov.ng/
Nwankwo, O. and Agbo, E. (2020). Constraints on climate-smart agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Rural Development, 23(2), 112–127.
Nwokocha, E. E., Ayinde, T. A., and Ogunbiyi, O. I. (2020). Climate change and food insecurity in Nigeria: The case of rural women. African Population Studies, 34(1), 4727–4737.
Ogbene, H. E., Ikhajiagbe, B., Ewuziem, J. E. (2020). Integrated pest management practices and farmers’ perceptions of organic farming in North-Central Nigeria. International Journal of Organic Agriculture Research and Development, 17(1), 1–10.
Okolo, D. A., & Ogbonna, M. U. (2020). Market constraints to CSA adoption in Nigeria: Role of supply chains and price volatility. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 12(4), 182–194. https://doi.org/10.5897/JDAE2020.1132
Olaniyi, O. A., Adewale, A. T., & Lawal, A. O. (2021). Climate change and agricultural productivity in Nigeria: A review. Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice, 6(1), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.31248/JASP2021.241
Olaniyi, O. A., Funmilayo, E. O., and Omotesho, O. A. (2014). Effect of climate change on fishing activities in the lower Niger River Basin of Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, 6(1), 41–47.
Olanrewaju, O. S., Omotesho, O. A., and Yusuf, S. A. (2019). Climate change, sustainable agriculture, and rural livelihoods in Nigeria: A conceptual review. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology, 19(1), 1–10.
Olatunji, S. O., and A. A. Oladele (2020). The impact of integrated farming systems on household food and nutrition security in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 2(3), 100056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2020.100056
Olayide, O. E., Tetteh, I. K., & Popoola, L. (2016). Differential impacts of climate change on food security in Nigeria: A call for adaptation strategies. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 18(3), 847–867. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-015-9675-0
Setimela, P. S., Kosina, P., & Rajaram, S. (2017). Drought-tolerant maize for Africa (DTMA): Lessons learned and strategic approaches. CIMMYT and IITA.
Sowunmi, F. A., and Akintola, J. O. (2010). Effect of climate change on poultry production in Ondo State, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Issues and Agriculture in Developing Countries, 2(1), 44–50.
Tittonell, P., & Giller, K. E. (2013). When yield gaps are poverty traps: The paradigm of ecological intensification in African smallholder agriculture. Field Crops Research, 143, 76–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2012.10.007
UNDP Nigeria. (2013). Post-disaster needs assessment: 2012 Floods. United Nations Development Programme, Nigeria.
UNEP. (2021). Lake Chad: Climate change and environmental degradation. United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/resources/report/lake-chad-environmental-degradation
UNICEF Nigeria. (2023). Child nutrition and food security in Nigeria: A call to action. https://www.unicef.org/nigeria
World Bank. (2020). Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project. https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P148616
World Bank. (2021). Nigeria: Priorities for Ending Poverty and Boosting Shared Prosperity. World Bank Country Report. https://www.worldbank.org
World Food Summit. (1996). Rome Declaration on World Food Security and World Food Summit Plan of Action. https://www.fao.org/3/w3613e/w3613e00.htm
Yusuf, S. A., Ojo, A. O., and Raufu, M. O. (2020). Climate variability and rural livelihoods: A study of farming households in North Central Nigeria. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 12(2), 167–185. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-03-2019-0018