Posted: August 14th, 2022

The Impact of Climate Change on Nigerian Coastal Infrastructure and Maritime Operations

# The Impact of Climate Change on Nigerian Coastal Infrastructure and Maritime Operations: Adaptation and Resilience Strategies

## Abstract

Nigeria, a country with a rich coastal heritage, faces significant challenges due to the impact of climate change on its coastal infrastructure and maritime operations. This essay explores the effects of climate change in Nigeria, focusing on geographic, sectoral, demographic, and security impacts. We delve into adaptation and resilience strategies to mitigate these effects, emphasizing the need for robust measures to safeguard Nigeria’s coastal assets.

## Introduction

Nigeria’s climate has undergone noticeable changes over recent decades. Key indicators include rising temperatures, variable rainfall patterns, sea-level rise, flooding events, droughts, desertification, land degradation, and more frequent extreme weather occurrences. These shifts have far-reaching implications for coastal infrastructure and maritime activities.

## Geographic Impacts

1. **Sea-Level Rise and Flooding**: Coastal regions in Nigeria are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. As precipitation patterns evolve, southern areas experience increased rainfall, exacerbating flooding risks. The submersion of coastal lands poses a significant threat to infrastructure.

2. **Drought and Desertification**: Northern Nigeria faces recurring droughts due to declining precipitation and rising temperatures. These conditions impact water availability and agricultural productivity.

3. **Lake Chad**: Lake Chad and other lakes within Nigeria are drying up, endangering local ecosystems and livelihoods.

## Sectoral Impacts

1. **Agriculture**: Climate change affects crop yields, soil quality, and water availability. Adaptive measures are crucial to sustain agricultural productivity.

2. **Transport Infrastructure**: Coastal roads, highways, pipelines, and houses are at risk due to erosion caused by extreme weather events. Effective adaptation strategies are essential for maintaining transport networks.

3. **Maritime Operations**: Ports and harbors face challenges related to sea-level rise, storm surges, and changing ocean dynamics. Adaptation measures must address these vulnerabilities.

## Demographic Impacts

1. **Population Displacement**: Rising sea levels may force communities to relocate from vulnerable coastal areas.

2. **Health Risks**: Increased flooding can lead to waterborne diseases and health emergencies.

## Security Impacts

1. **Economic Security**: Coastal infrastructure disruptions affect trade routes, economic activities, and livelihoods.

2. **National Security**: Climate-induced migration may strain resources and exacerbate social tensions.

## Adaptation Strategies

1. **Integrated Approaches**: Community participation is vital for successful adaptation efforts. Initiatives like the Nigeria Erosion and Waters
The Impact of Climate Change on Nigerian Coastal Infrastructure and Maritime Operations: Adaptation and Resilience Strategies. (How to cope with sea-level rise, extreme weather).
The Threat of Climate Change to Nigeria’s Coastal Regions

Climate change poses a major threat to coastal regions around the world through sea level rise, increasing storm surges, coastal erosion, flooding, and other impacts (Adekola and Mitchell, 2017). Nigeria’s 850 km coastline along the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Guinea is particularly vulnerable, especially the Niger Delta region which contains extensive low-lying areas (Appeaning Addo et al., 2018). Models predict global sea levels could rise by up to 1 meter by 2100 (IPCC, 2019), which would inundate and permanently alter vast stretches of Nigeria’s coastline. More extreme weather events are also projected, including heavier rainfalls and flooding which could overwhelm drainage infrastructure.

These impacts threaten Nigeria’s coastal settlements and infrastructure, especially port facilities, oil and gas infrastructure, buildings, and roads (Etuonovbe, 2011). The risks to lives, property, ecosystems, and economic assets are substantial without major adaptation efforts. This paper examines the threats climate change poses to Nigerian coastal infrastructure and maritime operations, and key resilience and adaptation strategies that can help coastal communities cope.

Threats to Infrastructure

Nigeria’s ports, which handle 95% of the country’s imports and exports, are extremely exposed (Ezeibe et al., 2019). Rising seas threaten port infrastructure such as jetties, quay walls, buildings, and access roads. More intense storms may damage breakwaters, channels, and berths through increased wave action and surges. Critical transportation links to the hinterland are also threatened, including roads, rail lines and pipelines.

The risks to Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta are also major concerns (Abam et al., 2000). Over 55% of government revenues come from oil exports, mostly derived from offshore platforms, wells and pipelines (Etuonovbe, 2011). Sea level rise, storm surges, waves and floods could damage this infrastructure and disrupt operations, with major economic impacts.

Coastal urban areas, particularly Lagos which has over 24 million residents, face threats to homes, buildings, roads, bridges, power plants and other infrastructure from sea level rise, erosion and flooding (Adelekan, 2010). Poor drainage leaves many coastal settlements highly vulnerable to increased precipitation.

Threats to Maritime Operations

Climate impacts threaten to disrupt key maritime operations along Nigeria’s coast. Sea level rise may require dredging of channels to maintain depths needed for Nigeria’s ports, which could increase costs (Ezeibe et al., 2019). More storms and large waves could force port closures, hampering trade. Lower visibility from storm rains may constrain shipping movements.

Offshore oil and gas operations could also face frequent disruption from heavy seas and storms (Abam et al., 2000). Platform evacuation under such conditions may occur more often. These operational challenges threaten Nigeria’s key export revenues.

Adaptation and Resilience Strategies

A variety of adaptation measures to improve coastal resilience are recommended:

Infrastructure Adaptation

Raise infrastructure such as port facilities and buildings to keep above higher sea levels (Appeaning Addo et al., 2018)
Improve coastal drainage systems to deal with increased flooding
Flood-proof infrastructure such as roads, rail lines and pipelines
Restore natural buffers like mangroves and sand dunes to reduce erosion and flooding
Operational Adaptation

Improve weather and wave forecasting to prepare for storm conditions
Develop port and offshore operating protocols for extreme weather
Invest in weather-resilient equipment designed to withstand storm conditions
Policy and Planning

Update building codes and zoning for climate resilience
Develop relocation strategies for highly vulnerable settlements
Improve coordination of climate adaptation efforts across sectors
Commit adequate adaptation finance in government budgets
The costs for comprehensive climate adaptation can be high, with estimates of $2-4 billion needed over 20 years just for Nigeria’s coastal areas (Etuonovbe, 2011). However, costs are dwarfed by the huge potential economic, social and environmental consequences if action is not taken.

Implementing these resilience strategies will require committed leadership, sufficient funding, strong institutions, expertise, community participation, and integrated planning (Adelekan, 2010). A legal mandate establishing clear institutional responsibilities for coastal adaptation would enable more systematic and coordinated efforts (Appeaning Addo et al., 2018).

Focused adaptation programmes should begin immediately for priority regions and assets, based on comprehensive risk assessments. A phased approach can help match adaptation measures to available funding and local capacities. Regional collaboration and international technical support can also help expand Nigeria’s adaptation expertise and financing.

Conclusions

Climate change severely threatens Nigerian coastal infrastructure, settlements and operations through rising seas, harsher storms, and flooding. Billions of dollars in assets and economic activities are at risk without concerted adaptation efforts. Implementing integrated resilience strategies across infrastructure, operations, policies and planning will require committed leadership and financing, but is vital to secure Nigeria’s coastal future. The time for action is now before the costs of inaction become insurmountable.

References

Adekola, O. and Mitchell, G., 2017. The Niger delta wetlands: threats to ecosystem services, their importance to dependent communities and possible management measures. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, 12(1-2), pp.50-68.

Abam, T.K., Ofoegbu, C.U. and Osabor, V., 2000. The impact of climatic changes on the Niger Delta. In Climate Change and Nigeria: Perspectives from the Niger Delta Region.

Adelekan, I.O., 2010. Vulnerability of poor urban coastal communities to flooding in Lagos, Nigeria. Environment and Urbanization, 22(2), pp.433-450.

Appeaning Addo, K., Jayson-Quashigah, P. and Kufogbe, S.K., 2018. Quantifying coastal vulnerability assessments for adaptation planning in Africa: Status and prospects. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 6(4), p.124.

Etuonovbe, A.K., 2011. The devastating effect of flooding in Nigeria. In FIG Working Week (pp. 1-15).

Ezeibe, C.C., Omar, I.H., Yacob, M.R. and Prasad, K.V.G.K., 2019. Coastal erosion impact, analyses and adaptation strategies to Sea Level Rise (SLR): a review.Environ. Syst. Decis. 39, 23–33.

IPCC, 2019: Summary for Policymakers. In: IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, V. Masson-Delmotte, P. Zhai, M. Tignor, E. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Nicolai, A. Okem, J. Petzold, B. Rama, N.M. Weyer (eds.)].

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