Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum yesterday called for a paradigm shift from short-term humanitarian interventions to sustainable, long-term strategies to combat the effects of climate change in the state.
He made the call at the ongoing fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum (LCBGF) in Maiduguri, the state capital.
He, however, stressed the urgent need for climate-resilient agricultural practices and robust infrastructure development in order to safeguard livelihoods and ensure food security in the face of escalating environmental challenges.
The governor acknowledged the disproportionate impact of climate change on the Sahel region, particularly in Northern Borno and parts of neighbouring Niger and Chad, where erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts pose significant threats to agricultural productivity.
He said the region’s average rainfall of less than 250 millimeters necessitated for a greater reliance on irrigation for successful crop production.
“The reality of climate change is undeniable. We have witnessed a significant shift in rainfall patterns in recent years.
“In Maiduguri, rainfall, which was previously between 400 and 500 millimeters, has now increased to 600-700 millimeters, marked by intense and prolonged periods of rainfall,” Zulum said.
The governor, however, attributed the changes to global environmental factors, including greenhouse gas emissions and widespread deforestation.
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He also highlighted the extensive damage caused by recent flooding in the state, which had disrupted agricultural activities and impacted livestock production.
Zulum expressed gratitude to international organisations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for their humanitarian assistance in providing food, non-food items, and cash support to displaced populations.
The governor stressed the critical need for a more sustainable approach to disaster preparedness and mitigation. “We must move beyond temporary solutions,” he emphasised.
Zulum also advocated for increased investment in critical infrastructure, particularly water harvesting systems, to effectively manage seasonal floods.
At a panelists’ session at the LCBGF, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, called for enhanced collaboration between government, banks and communities to combat the challenges of climate change, insecurity and poverty in the Lake Chad Basin.
He stressed the need to address the barriers faced by smallholder farmers, particularly the lack of access to capital.
He said that the Ministry of Agriculture was working with banks to assist farmers and
improve their livelihoods, being the key focus of government’s eight-point agenda.
The minister added that “smallholder farmers lack access to capital and this is a major hurdle for them. We are actively engaging financial institutions to provide support because agriculture is the backbone of the region.”
He hailed the proactive efforts of some states like Borno, noting that the leadership of Gov. Zulum had been instrumental to uplifting the livelihoods of the people, in spite of challenges in the region.
The minister emphasised the role of agriculture in poverty reduction and addressing broader socio-economic issues, including insecurity and corruption.
He acknowledged that the region’s traditional farming methods were no longer sufficient to cope with, considering the changing weather conditions, particularly the unpredictable rainfall and desertification affecting local communities.
Kyari added that “climate change is real. The desert has moved south, and the pattern of rainfall has changed drastically. In the past, farmers relied on traditional knowledge, but today, this is no longer enough.
“We must adapt and innovate. Technology could play a role in predicting weather patterns and mitigating the effects of climate change.”
