By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government has raised fresh concerns over the growing impact of desertification and land degradation across Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions, with up to 40 million Nigerians reportedly affected by drought-related challenges.

According to recent government data and environmental assessments, nearly 43% of Nigeria’s total landmass is either affected by or at risk of desertification, a figure that has continued to rise due to climate change, deforestation, poor land use, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

In a recent address, the Federal Ministry of Environment highlighted that desertification poses a direct threat to food security, livelihoods, and settlement patterns, especially in the 11 frontline northern states including Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Katsina, and Jigawa. In some of these states, between 50% to 75% of the land is already degraded.

“We are facing a severe environmental crisis. Desertification is not just about the land; it’s about people — about millions of Nigerians whose lives, farms, and homes are under threat,” a ministry spokesperson said.

The effects of desertification have intensified migration, water scarcity, and conflict over dwindling natural resources, particularly in areas around the shrinking Lake Chad Basin. Government officials also link the environmental crisis to broader national security concerns, as degraded environments often fuel rural-urban migration and clashes between herders and farmers.

The government says it is intensifying efforts under the Great Green Wall initiative and other afforestation and climate-resilience projects to reverse land degradation and protect vulnerable communities.

Environmental experts have called for stronger enforcement of land management policies, improved access to climate-smart farming tools, and active involvement of local communities in restoring Nigeria’s threatened ecosystems.