The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned that 11 northern states to brace for a dry spell lasting 21 days or more at the beginning of the 2025 rainy season.
According to the agency’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), climate change is intensifying, and eleven northern states could experience a severe dry spell between June and August, potentially lasting for 21 days or longer.
Information gleaned from the report suggests that states in the Northeast, specifically Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Borno, are likely to be affected. The Northwest, encompassing Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina, alongside Plateau State in the North-Central, could also face drought conditions.
WikkiTimes’ analysis of the data further revealed that the Northeast and Northwest regions are expected to experience a growing season length (LoS) of 110-130 days. Conversely, the South-South region is projected to have the longest season in Nigeria, approximately 283 days.
Given the forecast of a delayed growing season onset and below-average rainfall, especially in many northern regions, NIMET advised farmers to meticulously follow predicted onset dates and avoid planting before the rains are established.
“Farmers in areas predicted to experience dry spells around July and August are encouraged to cultivate drought-resistant crop varieties. Moreover, farmers should implement soil water conservation techniques such as mulching, rainwater harvesting, and drip irrigation/irrigation scheduling to preserve soil moisture,” the agency stated.
The 2025 SCP also highlighted a potential for flooding in northern Nigeria between July and September, coinciding with peak rainfall.
The agency warned that areas with inadequate drainage are particularly vulnerable to flooding, leading to other disasters like building collapses and disease outbreaks.
“Numerous disasters, including collapsing billboards and electrical poles, and roof damage, can occur during the commencement and conclusion of the rainy season due to the strong winds prevalent during that period,” it added.
Nevertheless, some local farmers believe that the early onset of rainfall in certain areas of the country offers an opportunity. They suggest planting drought-resistant crops such as millet and guinea corn to mitigate the impact.
Adamu Ahmed, a farmer from Misau LGA in Bauchi State, stated that early planting and the adoption of improved crop varieties could minimize the effects of climate change on crop yields.
“Nowadays, there are improved crop varieties that can withstand prolonged drought and excessive rainfall. We need to move away from traditional crops and adopt these new varieties to prevent losing our harvests to floods,” he said.
Ahmed emphasized that the 2024 rainy season was a valuable lesson for him. He lamented that if he had followed expert advice, he would not have lost a substantial portion of his farm produce to flooding.
“An agricultural extension worker advised me to plant early maturing and water-resistant crops, but I didn’t heed the advice. The flood came, and the rest is history,” Ahmed recalled.
