CLIMATE CHANGE AND INCREASING DISASTER RISKS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Climate change has become a major environmental and developmental challenge in Nigeria, manifesting through increasing occurrences of floods, droughts, desertification, erosion, heatwaves, and other climate-related disasters. These events have significantly affected agricultural productivity, infrastructure development, public health, food security, and overall sustainable development. The study examined climate change and rising disaster risks in Nigeria, with particular attention to their causes, indicators, and implications for sustainable development. A descriptive research design was adopted, using both primary and secondary data sources. The findings revealed that human activities, including deforestation, gas flaring, fossil fuel combustion, rapid urbanization, and poor waste management, are major drivers of climate change in Nigeria. The study also found that flooding is the most common climate-related disaster, followed by drought, desertification, erosion, and heatwaves, with variations across ecological zones. Statistical analysis further showed a significant relationship between human activities and climate change indicators, thereby rejecting the null hypothesis. The study concludes that climate change in Nigeria is largely anthropogenic and poses serious threats to sustainable development. It recommends stronger environmental regulation, public awareness, investment in climate adaptation strategies, improved urban planning, and increased use of renewable energy to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience.