Desertification: A Persistent Threat To The Sustainability Of The Nigerian Environment, Which Way Out?

Abstract

Desertification, like climate change and loss of biodiversity is a global problem. The global community has long recognized desertification has a major environmental, social and economic problem.

This paper examines the issue of desertification in Nigeria, a developing nation with over 150 million in population. The negative impact of Desertification on the Nigerian environment, which has been linked with food security, poverty alleviation and lack of development, is also fully discussed in this paper.

Soil degradation resulting from gradual desertification of farmlands still remain a great threat particularly within the North-west state Thousands of Nomadic Nigerian who reside in those states are being forced to migrate to the southern part of the country due to hazardous effect of desertification that gradually destroy fields of grazing lands. While those left behind are often engaged in communal clashes with farmers resulting in loss of lives and properties. It is recommended that a legally binding policy framework to guide the sustainable use of soil so as to combat desertification is to be enacted by the National Assembly. Nigerians need to be enlightened on this growing menace, desertification, so as to take practical measures such as prevention of soil erosion, water resource management and sustainable pasture. Forest and livestock management should be taken to prevent desertification and restore degraded land.