Desertification in Nigeria: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

This report examines the critical issue of desertification in Nigeria, a phenomenon exacerbated by climate change and human activities. It highlights the impact of desertification on the country, including decreased agricultural productivity, water scarcity, and increased soil erosion. The report also discusses the role of deforestation and other human activities in accelerating desertification. The report emphasizes the need for integrated land and water management strategies and the protection of vegetative cover to mitigate the effects of desertification and ensure environmental sustainability. The report references several sources including studies on drought, desertification, and ecological disasters in Nigeria, offering a comprehensive overview of the issue and potential solutions.

Running head: DESERTIFICATION IN NIGERIA
DESERTIFICATION IN NIGERIA
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Desertification is a process whereby a fertile land becomes degraded as a result of drought
caused by different human activities or natural resources. Nigeria is being affected by a fast
desert infringement that affects fifteen states in the northern from moderate to a very severe rate.
The major causes of desertification in Nigeria are variations in climate and human
activities (Sagua, 2017). Changes in climatic conditions result in naturally happening of
desertification and drought. An increase in the level of greenhouse gases causes global warming
which increases the change in climatic conditions. Climatically changes in Nigeria can also be as
a result of a decrease in the quantity of rainfall in dry areas that makes semi-arid and arid areas
more exposed to desertification. Several human activities like deforestation and extensive
cultivation among others also lead to desertification.
Desertification has negatively affected Nigeria in that, it has led to a scarce supply of
water, low production of agricultural products and high cost of living. It has also led to an
increase in soil erosion due to a lack of vegetation. Nigeria has suffered a great loss due to the
above-mentioned effects (Roy H. Behnke, 2016).To curb desertification, Nigeria should ensure
the integration of land and management of water to prevent soil erosion. The vegetative cover
should also be protected as it can be an instrument of soil conservation against wind and water
erosion (Mortimore, 2019).

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References
Mortimore, M. (2019). Adapting to Drought: Farmers, Famines and Desertification in West Africa. texas:
Cambridge University Press.
Roy H. Behnke, M. M. (2016). The End of Desertification?: Disputing Environmental Change in the
Drylands. Mexico: Springer.
Sagua, V. O. (2017). Ecological Disasters in Nigeria: Drought and Desertification. Sydney: Federal
Ministry of Science and Technology.