News in brief:
– As Nigeria faces shifting weather patterns, a farmer’s warning about an impending drought in key agricultural states has reignited national debate on climate change.
– While some farmers applaud early forecasts for helping them adapt, others remain sceptical, even as official predictions confirm uneven rainfall that could affect crop yields.
As weather patterns shift across Nigeria, conversations around climate change and its impact on agriculture are intensifying, online and on the farm.
On May 22, popular farmer and agro-voice, Lanre, took to social media to recall how he was previously criticised for speaking on climate change.
“Someone dragged me, saying I was paid to talk about climate change,” he wrote. “Now, some key agric states haven’t gotten enough rain… they’re already expecting a 21-day drought.”
His comment sparked a wave of reactions from farmers and citizens across the country. Fadipe Adeola Nimota shared how Lanre’s climate forecast video saved her from early planting mistakes this year.
“Last year I saw shege [hardship] because of rain,” she said.
Others, like user Isa Isa, still dismissed climate concerns as foreign propaganda, while farmers from Kogi and Edo reported contrasting weather conditions—some dry, some abundant.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction backs Lanre’s concerns. States like Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba are facing delayed rainfall, while others expect early cessation. This uneven distribution could threaten crop yields in major food-producing regions.
Even in other African countries, the shifting patterns are endangering farmers’ livelihoods. A farmer in Uganda mentioned how sudden rain cessation frustrates her efforts and causes her financial loss.
With rain-dependent farming still dominant, experts warn that ignoring weather forecasts and climate data is a costly mistake. As online debates rage, one thing is clear: Nigeria’s farmers are navigating increasingly unpredictable skies—and the smart ones are adapting fast.
