By Ere-Ebi Agedah Imisi
A new survey by NOIPolls has revealed that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a pressing challenge to Nigeria’s sustainable development.
The findings show that the vast majority of Nigerians – 98 percent believe climate change is real, with 94 percent acknowledging that the country is already struggling with its effects.
Presenting the survey results in Abuja on Tuesday during the CONVERGE 2024, NOIPolls CEO, Dr. Chike Nwanwgu, explained that awareness of climate change has surged across Nigeria, with 68 percent of respondents recognizing it as a shift in weather patterns.
According to Dr Nwanwgu, this marks significant progress, considering that just a few years ago, over 60 percent of Nigerians were unfamiliar with the term.
Dr. Nwanwgu noted that while the survey highlights increasing awareness of climate change among Nigerians, there remains a significant gap in understanding what the average citizen can do to mitigate its effects. He also emphasized the need for more conversations that focus on empowering people with the knowledge to take meaningful action.
The survey further revealed that deforestation, cited by 22 percent of respondents, is viewed as the leading cause of climate change in Nigeria, worsened by unchecked industrial activities and bush burning.
It also noted that Sixty-three percent of respondents reported that temperatures have risen in their areas over the past five years, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions, where over 80 percent noted warming.
Rainfall patterns have also become more erratic, with 38 percent of respondents experiencing a sharp decline in precipitation.
Speaking further on the survey, 32 percent revealed that flooding has ravaged their communities, destroying homes and livelihoods. The agricultural sector was also not spared as a staggering 84 percent of farmers surveyed said climate change has reduced their crop yields, with 89 percent believing it has damaged agriculture across the country.
Beyond the fields, 49 percent of respondents have been forced to relocate due to climate-related disasters, particularly in flood-prone regions like the North-East.
Meanwhile, despite the growing crisis, the survey revealed a troubling lack of confidence in the government’s ability to tackle climate change. Nearly half of respondents 46 percent expressed doubts that the government is prepared to address the mounting environmental challenges.
As a call to action, NOIPolls survey recommended measures to mitigate climate change, including planting trees (19 percent), enacting legislation to regulate pollution (13 percent), and stopping unregulated bush burning (9 percent). The findings emphasize the urgent need for government intervention and stakeholder collaboration to address the escalating environmental challenges facing the country.
With the Theme ‘Enhancing Coordinated Action’, the NOIPolls survey therefore indicates a clear message that without swift government action and strategic interventions, the nation risks losing critical ground in the fight for sustainable development.
