Fulani herdsmen in Borno and Yobe states are facing unprecedented hardship as climate change devastates their livestock and grazing lands. A recent report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reveals that over half of the herdsmen’s livestock have died due to severe drought, intense heat, and shrinking pastures.
By Fatima Bukar, Maiduguri
The crisis has escalated dramatically in the last two years, with herdsmen feeling the full impact of rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. The proximity of Borno and Yobe to the Sahara Desert makes them especially vulnerable, with temperatures soaring and rainfall patterns increasingly unpredictable. For communities that rely on cattle for their livelihood, this environmental shift has been catastrophic.
Beyond natural challenges, human activities have compounded the environmental pressures. Deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion and wood fuel needs, has stripped the land of vital tree cover.
According to Abubakar, a Fulani herdsman, “Our cattle are dying, our grazing lands are shrinking, and there’s no feed. You can see the ribs on our livestock. We have no choice but to migrate, which brings us into conflict with farmers.”
Deforestation in Nigeria is one of the highest globally, with approximately 60% of the country’s forests lost since 1990, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This loss has drastically reduced water retention in the soil, intensifying desertification. In addition, 40% of Nigeria’s grazing lands are degraded due to overgrazing, as noted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Water pollution has worsened the crisis. Oil spills and industrial waste have contaminated water sources, making it harder for herdsmen to find clean water for their cattle. Studies by the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team highlight how pollution from industries has drastically impacted water supplies, leaving herdsmen with limited safe options.
In response, Nigerian authorities have rolled out several climate resilience projects aimed at restoring the environment and assisting affected communities. Among these efforts is the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), which has restored gully sites and implemented catchment areas to control erosion. Innovative solutions like solar-powered drip irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting techniques are also being deployed to support herders and farmers facing extreme weather.
