A comprehensive approach to addressing drought and desertification in Nigeria

In the 1970s, the United Nations identified desertification as a global threat to environmental sustainability. While the concept of dryland degradation has long and always existed, desertification on the other hand implies the rapid spread of the degradation of vast land and its productivity throughout the world, notably in Africa and Asia. Modern desertification, as the case is in Nigeria, often arises from the demands of increased populations that settle on the land in order to grow crops and graze animals. The extent and severity of desertification in Nigeria has not been fully established neither has the rate of its progression been properly recognized. However, it is estimated that the country is currently losing about 351,000 hectares of its landmass to desert conditions annually, and such conditions are estimated to be advancing southwards at the rate of about 0.6km per year. Desertification, which is affecting the 11 northern states, is considered the most pressing environmental problem. The purpose of this study is to evaluate current government policies in addressing desertification and to offer new measures based on the findings of the study. The study has found out that the reasons for the failure of current government policies are numerous including the government’s top-down approach, inconsistency of government policies, neglect of indigenous knowledge, use of inappropriate technology, sectoral approach, inadequate funding, inadequate awareness, etc. Having identified the causes of the problem, this study proposes new measures to combat desertification and mitigate the effect of drought in Nigeria

Drought and desertification management in arid and semi-arid zones of Northern Nigeria

Purpose: This paper seeks to review the state of desertification in Nigeria, historical trends and past national efforts as well as ongoing programs for combating the fast-spreading desert conditions in the arid zones of the country. Design/methodology/approach: The approach has been carried out through a comprehensive review analysis and detailed assessment on several methods of approach which includes archival materials as well as published government documents, field observation and learned background information of the working and funding dynamics of the program to combat desertification. Findings: The findings of this paper reveal that the failure of the past government effort in combating desertification in Nigeria is a result of the policies and the programs not having been designed to adequately tackle the problem of drought and desertification and of the phenomena being treated as sectoral issues rather than an integrated whole. Practical implications: This paper has practical implication for anyone interested in sustainable management of drought and desertification in the arid and semi arid zones of the world. Originality/value: The paper has articulated success and failure of the government programs in combating the twin environmental problems of drought and desertification in Nigeria and also shows that government could significantly combat desertification through sustainable management of its projects/programs if adequate resources are employed

The environmental effect of mass housing development in Abuja, Nigeria

This paper is aimed at assessing the effects of mass housing development in Lokogoma district of Abuja Phase II. This study was an inquisition into how mass housing development affects the environment as well as alters the design of the original master plan. The study examines the extent and magnitude on the social, economic and environmental aspect of the communities within the Phase II of the city. The scope of the study covers other areas of mass housing development within the Lokogoma district of the Abuja Phase III and emphasis is placed more on the private estate developers. Data on air quality, water quality, soil quality, vegetation and relief and landform were collected and assessed. A control point of 2km from the study location was picked to aid in the examination of the variation in the natural order. Air quality measurement was conducted using Gassman portable Digital Gas Monitors. Noise pollution test was carried out using a sound level meter. Physical and chemical contaminants in water were measured through water quality test. Other tests were also carried out to examine pollution from soil and vegetation. Impact assessment management matrix analysis was conducted to determine the environmental impacts through the construction of mass housing development. The results of the study revealed that air pollution and deforestation are two environmental problems affecting the study area and are having significant effect on the public health of the residents and causing flooding as well as soil erosion in the study area respectively. Thus, there is the need for urgent intervention from the authorities concerned in order to avoid or control the spread of these problems

Towards a sustainable incentive to open defecation eradication

This study is aimed at estimating the significant indicators and constructs that directly influence households to recover and reuse faecal waste in Ogun state, Nigeria. Adopting a four-level multi-stage approach, a total of 110, 100, and 120 questionnaires were respectively administered in Ogijo/Likosi, Ilaro I, and Sodeke/ Sale-Ijeun II wards. The selected criteria reflect the variance in the populations of 1,250,435(33%), 1,112,761(30%), and 1,387,944(37%) for Ogun East, Ogun West and Ogun Central, respectively. The pooled confirmatory factor analysis process took the form of several re-estimations, based on the deletion of lowly loading factors and correlation of redundant items, validation of the model, assessment of normality, and full structural model analysis. The structural model established a significant positive relationship between Environmental/Health Factors of Faecal Waste Reusability (EV) and Reusability Factor(RF) (β=0.727, p<0.05), and similarly, Economic Factors of Faecal Waste Reusability (EC)and Reusability Factor (RF) (β=0.715, p<0.05). The study, among all others, recommends a more flexible sanitation business value chain model that is household inclusive and conforms to the paradigm of green and circular economy

Achieving sustainable agriculture in Nigeria: A land-use policy perspective

Agriculture has changed dramatically, especially since the end of World War II. Food and fiber productivity soared due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies that favored maximizing production. Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce perpetually base on long-term effects of various practices on soil properties and processes essential for crop productivity, and the long-term availability of inputs. It integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities. These goals have been defined by various disciplines and may be looked at from the vantage point of the farmer or the consumer. This paper is an effort to identify the ideas, practices and policies that constitute our concept of sustainable agriculture

Environmental impact of rural-urban migration in the federal capital territory Abuja, Nigeria

The impact of population growth and housing development in developing countries is usually a consequence of the push of the rural areas and the pull of the town. The growth and physical expansion of cities have been accompanied by unplanned urban sprawl, environmental pollution, deterioration, deficiencies in modern basic facilities, and general urban decay. Urban expansion without effective environmental consciousness means that in virtually every urban center – from large cities and metropolitan areas to regional centers and small market towns – a substantial proportion of the population is at risk from natural and human-induced environmental hazards. A strategic approach is essential if urban areas are to enjoy all the benefits which nature can bring. A total of 200 copies of questionnaires were administered at the neighbourhood zones I, II, III and IV of peri-urban Nyanya town for the purpose of assessing the impact of urbanization towards the suburb in other to ascertain its general environmental condition on the surrounding landscape. The study examines the environmental consequences of socioeconomic and other activities in a bid to determine how sustainable Abuja’s urbanization is. The study reveals that, the city is growing faster than in the provisions of its master plan. It is fast turning into an environmental embarrassment, with developments springing up in gross violation of zoning and other planning codes. Abuja, which was supposed to be an epitome of beauty and an enlightened vision of city development, has suffered over the years from unnecessary distortions in the implementation of its master plan. The paper concludes by suggesting pragmatic strategies for achieving an integrated and ecologically balanced environment. Therefore, this paper recommends the review of the Abuja master plan for every five years to reflect the garden city concept and neighbourhood design for sustainable city living and mitigating the serious negative impacts of urbanizatio

Protected area management in Nigeria: a review

Nigeria like other countries has experienced rapid increase in number and sizes of protected areas in the last century. As a result, a number of policies, agencies and departments were established to ensure proper protection and management of these areas. To ensure management effectiveness, frequent evaluation is necessary. This paper is a review of relevant literatures on protected area management effectiveness and collaboration in management. The findings of the review indicated that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) framework is the most widely used for assessing management effectiveness of protected areas. However, a limitation of the framework is its deficiency to integrate collaboration and motivation. These factors play vital roles in effective management of protected areas through promoting wildlife conservation particularly in developing world. Therefore, this paper proposes a hybrid framework for evaluating protected area management effectiveness, consisting of the IUCN framework, collaboration and motivation to be used in subsequent assessment of protected areas

A comprehensive approach to drought and desertification in Nigeria: A brief evaluation of government policies

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate current government policies in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought. This paper discusses the menace of desertification, the extent and the impact of drought in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The research reported in this paper was undertaken through review of existing literature, personal observations and interview with some of the residents in the affected areas as well as government officials in charge of programs in combating desertification. Findings – The paper observes that the failure of current government policies include among others the top-down approach, inconsistencies of government policies, neglect of indigenous knowledge, use of inappropriate technology, sectoral approach, inadequate funding, and inadequate awareness. Having identified the causes of the problem, this paper proposes that the national policy for drought and desertification should ensure sustainable development based on proper management of human-environment interactions in the affected areas. Practical implications – The evaluation method performed in this paper allows us to analyze the factors responsible for the failure of government policies in combating desertification in Nigeria. This paper suggests that a number of complementary policies, strategies and management approaches be put in place and such must take cognizance of the existing institutional settings and professional groupings as well as the complex historical, social, cultural, and legal considerations. Originality/value – The paper provides a rational, holistic, practicable and comprehensive approach for finding solutions to the problems of drought and desertification in Nigeria

The role of afforestation programme in combating desertification in Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which an afforestation programme as spelt out in the Forestry II programme has checked the encroachment of desert in the arid and semi-arid zone of northern Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The study is carried out in the afforestation project states aimed at evaluating the success/failure of the program. Field observation and a site visit are conducted on some communities as well as policies relevant to forestry sector are reviewed. Findings – The preliminary findings of this paper indicate that the afforestation projects had a positive impact on both biophysical and socioeconomic environment and contributed to the sustainability of the afforestation programme. Research limitations/implications – This paper is primarily focused on the various components of the Forestry II programme and the extent they have helped in combating desertification. Originality/value – The paper addresses the need for sustainable afforestation projects and discusses on how the community effort and participation of women plays an important role during the afforestation programs