In Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, the signs of climate change are not subtle. They are written in the dry, cracked earth of farmlands, in the receding waters of Lake Chad, and in the dust-filled air that sweeps across the city during the harmattan season. For residents already coping with the effects of conflict and displacement, climate change is an added burden — a slow-moving crisis that quietly reshapes livelihoods, health, and security.
One of the most visible impacts of climate change in Maiduguri is the steady decline of Lake Chad, once one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes. Over the past six decades, the lake has shrunk by more than 90%, driven by rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and unsustainable water use. For fishing communities and farmers who depend on the lake for their survival, this loss has been devastating. Reduced fish stocks and shrinking irrigation sources have forced many to abandon their trades altogether.
Agriculture, the backbone of Borno state’s economy, has also been hard hit. Erratic rainfall patterns have shortened growing seasons, while extreme heat has reduced crop yields. Farmers speak of planting seeds only to watch them wither under the scorching sun or be washed away by sudden, intense downpours. These losses are not just economic; they deepen food insecurity, increase poverty, and drive rural families to migrate toward Maiduguri in search of better opportunities — swelling the city’s already strained population.
Deforestation compounds the problem. In and around Maiduguri, the demand for firewood and charcoal has stripped the land of trees, leaving it more vulnerable to desertification. Without vegetation to anchor the soil, wind erosion accelerates, sending fine dust particles into the air and degrading the land’s fertility. For households that depend on firewood for cooking, this creates a vicious cycle: the scarcer the trees, the farther people must travel to find them, further depleting natural resources.
Climate change has also emerged as a health issue in Maiduguri. Rising temperatures and poor air quality contribute to respiratory illnesses, while unpredictable rainfall affects the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera. Prolonged heat waves place additional stress on vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and young children. In displacement camps, where sanitation facilities are limited, heavy rains can quickly trigger outbreaks, overwhelming local health facilities.
Security analysts warn that climate change is also a conflict multiplier in the region. As farmland becomes less productive and water sources dry up, competition for resources intensifies. In rural areas of Borno state, disputes over grazing routes and water access between farmers and herders have increased. This tension adds to the instability caused by the insurgency, making it harder to rebuild communities and restore trust.
The Borno state government has acknowledged the threat by climate change and has begun implementing adaptation measures. These include tree-planting campaigns, promotion of climate-smart agriculture, and small-scale irrigation projects. However, progress has been slow, partly due to funding limitations and the competing demands of humanitarian response in the wake of ongoing insecurity. Without sustained investment, many of these initiatives risk falling short of their intended impact.
Civil society organisations have stepped in to fill some of the gaps, launching awareness campaignsto help farmers adapt. Techniques such as drought-resistant crop varieties, rainwater harvesting, and soil conservation are gaining attention. Yet, for many residents, the immediate pressures of poverty and displacement leave little room to prioritize long-term environmental strategies.
International partners have also recognized Maiduguri’s vulnerability. Agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have supported resilience-building projects, including reforestation and sustainable livelihoods for displaced populations. But these projects must scale up dramatically to match the pace of environmental degradation.
For Maiduguri, addressing climate change is not just an environmental necessity; it is a survival strategy. The city’s ability to adapt will shape its future stability, economic prospects, and public health. Without decisive action, the combined weight of environmental decline, insecurity, and humanitarian crises could push the region into deeper vulnerability. The people of Maiduguri, already accustomed to hardship, now face the challenge of weathering a threat that does not come with gunfire, but with the slow, unrelenting force of a changing climate.