Climate Change: Nigeria reviews 18-year-old Desertification policy

Nigeria is reviewing its National Policy on Drought, Land Degradation and Desertification to capture current realities and incorporate global best practices.

Speakers at the inception workshop for the review of the 18-year-old National Policy, said the current document is obsolete, and needs revision, to include innovative technological solutions that will address the Implication of climate change on food security, water supply and livelihoods.

Since adoption in 2007, the National Drought and Desertification Policy has served as a vital framework for protecting Nigeria’s ecosystems, enhancing agricultural productivity, and building climate resilience.

However, 18 years later, the landscape has changed, climate variability has intensified, as land degradation continues to expand, and communities remain increasingly vulnerable.

This national policy review aims to revisit and revise the policy document to reflect today’s realities, incorporate emerging knowledge, and align with global best practices.

For participants, the impact of drought, land degradation and desertification on water supply, livelihoods and food production, calls for policy framework that is not only reactive but proactive and adaptive.

Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought are global challenges that aggravate economic, social and environmental problems and Nigeria is not exempted, and combating these challenges requires multi-sectoral approaches. The review meeting is therefore expected to come up with implementable framework that will capture all the frontline states, their respective challenges and proffer possible solutions.

(Editor: Terverr Tyav)