From Harvest to Hunger: Climate Chaos Wipes Out Nigerian Farms as Food Crisis Deepens Across Ogun, Oyo and Lagos

Nigeria’s farming communities are facing escalating devastation as climate change continues to disrupt rainfall patterns, destroy crops and push agricultural output into sharp decline across major food-producing states, deepening fears of a widening food crisis.

The Vanguard report, “From abundance to scarcity: How climate change is hurting Nigerian farmers,” highlights how farmers in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states are already suffering heavy losses as unpredictable weather conditions undermine farming activities and threaten food supply chains.

In Ajah, Lagos, trader Nkiruka Ekeh, who sells roasted corn, said climate-related shortages have made corn expensive and unstable. She explained that a good cob now sells between ₦500 and ₦700, making it difficult for many customers to afford basic food items.

In Ogun State, farmer Ekaitte Gorden revealed that climate change destroyed her five acres of Ofada rice, while maize and cucumber farms also failed due to extreme heat and irregular rainfall patterns, leaving her with major financial losses.

Another Ogun farmer, Felicia Okotie, a member of the Small-scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), said farming has become increasingly unpredictable as rainfall no longer follows traditional seasonal patterns.

She added that farmers are now forced to rely on costly irrigation systems to survive.

In Oyo State, Iseyin Local Government Area, veteran farmer Azeez Ismail said his harvest has collapsed over the years, dropping from about 200 bags to just 12 bags in 2025, a decline he described as devastating for his livelihood.

Other farmers such as Muhammad Abu and Abdullahi Lawal also reported sharp reductions in output, with Lawal noting his harvest falling from 10 bags to just 2–3 bags due to worsening weather conditions.

At Mile 12 Market in Lagos, tomato farmer Suleiman Dandawa said climate change has significantly reduced supply, with trucks now carrying 160–200 baskets of tomatoes instead of 350–380 baskets, driven by heat stress and poor harvest conditions.

Experts warn that Nigeria’s heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes it highly vulnerable to climate shocks such as flooding, drought and rising temperatures, all of which are reducing productivity and increasing food prices nationwide.

They caution that without urgent intervention and climate adaptation measures, Nigeria could face deeper food insecurity, worsening inflation and long-term agricultural collapse.