BY RITA OYIBOKA/AMAYINDI YAKUBU
Whenever the calendar edges towards year’s end, Nigerians anticipate the arrival of harmattan, a season historically synonymous with dry winds, dusty skies, and cooler temperatures.
However, in recent years, the harmattan we once knew appears to be evolving into an entirely different phenomenon. For some, it is here; for others, it no longer feels like the harmattan of old. Is the harmattan season fading into a shadow of its former self, or is it simply adapting to the realities of our changing climate?
Traditionally spanning late November to mid-March, harmattan is driven by the northeasterly trade winds that sweep across the Sahara Desert, carrying vast amounts of dust into West Africa and beyond. The season has long been celebrated for its reprieve from Nigeria’s tropical heat, with temperatures in the northern regions dropping below 10°C, while the southern areas basked in mild and pleasant weather. The dusty winds often turned the skies hazy and painted the sun in muted hues, a signature harmattan feature.
Harmattan in Decline
Fast forward to December 2024, and harmattan seems to have lost its vigour. Dust clouds that once veiled the skies are now fleeting or absent, and the crisp, dry air of old has given way to unpredictable rains and uncharacteristic humidity. A 2023 report by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) confirms the fears of many: the harmattan season is weakening, both in intensity and duration. Over the past 30 years, temperatures have risen steadily, and the winds carrying Sahara dust have significantly waned.
Global warming stands as the primary culprit. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases has disrupted atmospheric patterns, resulting in reduced harmattan winds and a weaker dust spread. Compounding this issue are deforestation, desertification, and rapid urbanisation, all of which have drastically altered Nigeria’s landscape. Concrete jungles replace green spaces, and the natural barriers that once supported the harmattan winds are quickly disappearing.
Adding to the mix is the rising frequency of extreme weather events. December rains, which were once rare, now intrude upon the harmattan season, confusing farmers who rely on predictable weather patterns for their agricultural calendars. This unpredictability leaves many scrambling to adapt, and the impact is felt across all sectors of society.
Health and Livelihoods in the Balance
Harmattan has always presented health challenges, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. The dusty air exacerbated these issues, making face masks a seasonal necessity. While the current weakened harmattan might suggest fewer respiratory challenges, the reality is more complex. Increased humidity during this period has led to a surge in airborne pathogens, introducing new health risks and complicating public health responses.
The changing season also disrupts livelihoods. Farmers face dwindling harvests due to erratic weather, while urban dwellers experience fluctuating energy demands as harmattan’s characteristic chill wanes. Sweaters, lip balm and warm beverages, once staples of the season, are now less frequently needed, marking a cultural shift in how Nigerians experience harmattan.
Nigeria’s Climate Crisis: A Wake-Up Call
The evolving harmattan is more than a seasonal anomaly; it is a stark reminder of Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change. According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Nigeria possesses immense potential for climate mitigation through natural solutions such as reforestation, improved forest management, and increasing tree cover in agricultural lands.
Yet, the country remains one of the world’s leaders in deforestation, losing an alarming 3.7% of its forest cover annually. This loss is primarily driven by tree cutting for cooking fuel, which, tragically, is also Nigeria’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.
During their commemoration of the International Day of Climate Action, environmentalist Dr. Newton Jibunoh, founder of the Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) initiative, highlighted the urgent need for grassroots action.
Collaborating with the Embracing Humanity Initiative (EHI), FADE, as per tradition led a tree-planting campaign in Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshmili North Local Government Area, Delta State, planting over 100 trees. The event attracted a diverse group of environmentalists, government officials, community leaders, and local residents, all committed to the preservation of the environment.
Dr. Jibunoh emphasised the importance of community involvement, saying, “This day serves to sensitise communities and individuals to take responsibility for their surroundings. By doing so, we can hopefully prevent the devastating effects we hear about tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and bushfires even here in Delta State.”
He continued, “If we, as civil society groups and NGOs can take the first steps, it becomes much easier for the government to follow. Waiting for the government to act first is impractical given the vast number of local governments and communities across the country. If we initiate the process, the government can step in to expand and institutionalise it.”
He also stressed the importance of local residents nurturing the newly planted trees, stressing that the initiative’s success hinges on their active participation.
Meanwhile, Founder of the Embracing Humanity Initiative, Uchechi Uchenna, stressed the need for inclusive grassroots action in the fight against climate change.
“The reality is that our Earth requires urgent attention, and this is not a journey that one person can embark on alone. If we leave it to a single individual, we will achieve nothing. We all need this planet to thrive and remain healthy,” she said.
Adding to the discourse, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civic Engagement and Civil Society, Rex Anighoro, lauded the collaborative effort. He encouraged sustained partnerships between government bodies, NGOs, and local communities to ensure lasting impact.
Likewise, the Vice Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Chief Uju Okolo applauded the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention.
Okolo highlighted the local government’s blueprint for tree planting, aimed at transforming the area into a green zone. She noted that this initiative would tackle environmental issues while creating job opportunities for youths through tasks like clearing land, watering, and nurturing trees.
While initiatives like tree planting mark essential steps forward, systemic policy implementation remains key to combating Nigeria’s climate crisis. The 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) outlines a roadmap for reducing emissions across sectors, including agriculture, forestry, and waste management. Furthermore, the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change under the Nigeria Climate Change Act signals progress in institutionalising climate action.
The National Policy on Climate Change envisions a resilient Nigeria where climate adaptation and mitigation strategies are not just policies on paper but active, inclusive practices. The United Nations has underscored the urgency of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, stressing the need to halve global emissions by 2030.
For Nigeria, this means reducing its dependence on oil and gas while accelerating efforts in renewable energy adoption.
The Way Forward: Bridging Policy and Reality
Despite having well-crafted policies, Nigeria often falters in execution. As USAID reports, the country faces rising sea levels in coastal cities, increased flooding, and prolonged droughts, all of which exacerbate health crises, food insecurity, and infrastructural decay.
Reporting on the present situation in the country USAID narrates “Rising sea levels threaten southern and coastal cities such as Lagos, while periods of extreme rainfall in coastal cities and in northern parts of Nigeria within the Sahel region increase vulnerability to flooding, exacerbate the spread of waterborne and infectious diseases, and contribute to erosion and infrastructure damage. At the same time, droughts, reduced rainfall in certain areas of the country, and rising air temperatures jeopardize Nigeria’s water security and hydropower systems, hindering agricultural production and fishing, reducing food security, and negatively impacting health and nutrition.
The disconnect between policy and implementation has left Nigeria vulnerable, with environmental sustainability taking a backseat to short-term economic gains.
To bridge this gap, Nigeria must adopt a paradigm shift. Policymakers and citizens alike must embrace sustainability as a core principle, ensuring that environmental initiatives are not viewed as isolated projects but as integral components of national development. Local governments, NGOs, and private citizens must work collaboratively to drive change, nurturing community-based solutions that resonate with Nigeria’s unique socio-economic and environmental challenges.
The harmattan season, once a defining feature of West Africa’s climate, now serves as a poignant reminder of the impacts of climate change. As we navigate this evolving reality, Nigeria has the tools and the talent to turn the tide. From grassroots tree-planting campaigns to national climate policies, the solutions are within reach. What remains is the collective will to act not just for the harmattan we once knew, but for a future where Nigeria thrives in harmony with its environment.
The National Policy on Climate Change envisions Nigeria as a climate change-resilient nation with swift and sustained socioeconomic growth. Its goal is to support national efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change in a way that is participatory and involves all facets of Nigerian society, including the impoverished and other vulnerable groups (youth, women, etc.), all while promoting sustainable socioeconomic development in the country.
The United Nations has already adviced that “Switching energy systems from fossil fuels to renewables like solar or wind will reduce the emissions driving climate change. But we have to act now. While a growing number of countries are committing to net zero emissions by 2050, emissions must be cut in half by 2030 to keep warming below 1.5°C. Achieving this means huge declines in the use of coal, oil, and gas: production and consumption of all fossil fuels need to be cut by at least 30 percent by 2030 to prevent catastrophic levels of climate change”
Truth be told, as observed in the country’s history, Nigeria does not lack the appropriate policies, and the absence of execution power is the reason most important sectors of the nation are yet to live out their true potential. Year in and out the National Assembly rolls out new laws and the federal and state governments across the nation announce well-sounding policies, but only a few have generated a return on investments. Paradigm shifts need to happen to both the policymakers and the Nigerian people themselves. We need to start thinking sustainably rather than taking any development act as a one-off approach.
