Systematic review of climate change impact research in Nigeria: implication for sustainable development
E.M. Okon,
B.M. Falana,
S.O. Solaja,
S.O. Yakubu,
O.O. Alabi,
B.T. Okikiola,
T.E. Awe,
B.T. Adesina,
B.E. Tokula,
A.K. Kipchumba,
A.B. Edeme
Affiliations
E.M. Okon
Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria; Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Stirlingshire FK9 4LA, UK; Corresponding author.
B.M. Falana
Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria; Landmark University SDG 14 (Life Below Water Research Group), Nigeria
S.O. Solaja
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria; Landmark University SDG 13 (Climate Action Research Group), Nigeria
S.O. Yakubu
Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Stirlingshire FK9 4LA, UK; Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University Gashua, PMB 1005, Yobe State, Nigeria
O.O. Alabi
Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria; Landmark University SDG 13 (Climate Action Research Group), Nigeria
B.T. Okikiola
Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
T.E. Awe
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria; Landmark University SDG 13 (Climate Action Research Group), Nigeria
B.T. Adesina
Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria; Landmark University SDG 13 (Climate Action Research Group), Nigeria; Landmark University SDG 14 (Life Below Water Research Group), Nigeria
B.E. Tokula
Department of Chemistry, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
A.K. Kipchumba
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Stirlingshire FK9 4LA, UK
A.B. Edeme
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001 Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
There is evidence that Nigeria is already experiencing environmental challenges attributed to climate change (CC) and its impacts. This has clearly highlighted the need for knowledge-based strategies to help plan adequate mitigation and adaptation measures for the country. One of the basic requirements to ensure such strategies is the development of a database of national CC research. This will aid in the assessment of past and present scientific publications from which directions for future study can be mapped. The present study used standard, systematic, and bibliographic literature reviews to analyse the trend, focus, spatial variability, and effectiveness of published research on CC impacts in Nigeria. Four thematic areas of CC impact research were defined: Agriculture, Environment, Human and Multi-disciplinary study. A total of 701 articles were found to be relevant and the review shows that CC impacts and adaptations in the literature vary across research categories and locations. The period between 2011 (68 studies) and 2015 (80 studies) showed a tremendous rise in CC impact research with a peak in 2014 (84 studies). Studies in the agriculture category had the highest publications in 23 States of Nigeria. The review revealed three research gaps: (1) lack of research that investigated the magnitude of present and potential future impacts in the aquatic environment (2) little attention on CC impacts and adaptation in the Northern regions of Nigeria (3) absence of study investigating the effects of multiple variables of CC at the same time. The findings suggest that it would be useful to advance CC research in Nigeria beyond perceptive approaches to more quantitative ones. This is particularly important for highly vulnerable animals, crops, locations, and for better planning of adaptation strategies.
