Ibidun O. Adelekan

Vulnerability of poor urban coastal communities to flooding in Lagos, Nigeria

This paper considers the risks from and vulnerabilities to flooding in four urban poor communities close to the coast in Lagos, Nigeria. Drawing on interviews with inhabitants and key informants and also on group discussions, it documents the scale and frequency of flooding in these settlements and the impacts, as well as the individual, household and community responses. It also considers the factors that have contributed to increasing flood risks in Lagos, including the uncontrolled expansion of the built-up area, the lack of infrastructure and the failure not only to expand stormwater drainage but also to maintain existing drainage systems. The paper also considers changes in the frequency and intensity of rainstorms on Lagos Island between 1971 and 2005, which suggest that on average these have become less frequent but more intense.

The physiologic climate of Nigeria

This study describes the spatial and temporal variations in the physiologic climate of Nigeria for 1951–2009 in terms of effective temperature (ET), temperature-humidity index (THI), relative strain index (RSI) and perception of 3,600 sampled populations. The main hypotheses are that (i) the existing vegetation-based ecological region could adequately elucidate the physiologic climate of the country, and (ii) physiologic stress has significantly increased over the years (1951–2009). Trends and changes in the selected indices (ET, THI and RSI) were examined over two time slices: 1951–1980 and 1981–2009. The results show that (1) the montane region was the most comfortable physiologic climate in Nigeria, and the regions around the Rivers Niger and Benue troughs were the most uncomfortable in most parts of the year, (2) physiologic stress in most parts of Nigeria has significantly increased in 1981–2009 over 1951–1980 (p ≤ 0.05), (3) coping strategies to the uncomfortably hot and cold climate in Nigeria are limited to dressing mode, clothing materials and use of air conditioners or fan, (4) ET, THI and RSI results could be similar, and complementary; but each is with its strengths and weaknesses for annual or seasonal representations, which the others complemented for the interpretation of the physiologic climate of Nigeria. The study concluded that the relationship between the ecological classification of Nigeria and physiologic climate is rather complex, and the former could not elucidate the latter. The study cited inadequate meteorological data, especially on wind chill, and health records as limiting factors of studies on the Nigerian physiologic climates and the effect of extreme thermal conditions on the people.

Analysis of the public perception of climate change issues in an indigenous African city

The paper analyses the public perception of climate variability and change on both local and global scales by residents of Ibadan, the largest truly indigenous city in sub‐Saharan Africa. Data for the survey was collected by the administration of a questionnaire to 453 respondents of different social and demographic strata within the city. The questions were aimed at eliciting how citizens perceived climatic experiences in their local environment and globally; its dynamics and citizens explanations for the changes identified. Sources of climatic information of respondents were explored and the social and demographic specific difference of respondents on the issues analysed. The outcome of the study indicates that a significant proportion (92%) of the public is aware of the dynamics of the local climate. In addition, almost 70% of the respondents have heard of global climate change but less than 25% know the causes.

The role of climatic variations on migration and human health in Africa

In Africa, climatic variations, as typified by widespread rainfall fluctuations, are a prominent feature of the climate of the continent. The effects of these climatic variations are multifarious and affect the environmental, economic and social well-being of the societies concerned. This is particularly so since the majority of the people depend on rain supported agricultural production for their sustenance and livelihood. Any short-fall in the amount, frequency and manner of occurrence of the rains received, tends to reflect on the peoples spatial behaviour, particularly as migration in trying to make up for the impact of the deficit. This paper describes the nature of climatic variations over the continent and highlights the extent to which climatic variations play a significant role in population movement and the health of peoples as documented in studies carried out in different parts of the region. An awareness of the implications of climatic variations as reviewed in this work suggests the need for better monitoring systems to measure the impacts of climatic variations. This will provide governments and all stakeholders with a proper perspective of the vagaries of climate and enhance the development of suitable policies to mitigate and alleviate the impact on the general populace of the affected areas. This is especially important in the face of changing world climate and its antecedant effects which are especially felt in developing societies.

Vulnerability to wind hazards in the traditional city of Ibadan, Nigeria

This paper examines vulnerability to recent occurrences of wind hazards in the context of changing patterns of urbanization, land use, land cover and wind climate in Ibadan, the largest traditional urban centre in sub-Saharan Africa. The period 1989–2008 shows a significant increase in maximum wind gusts, with the latter half of the period, 1998–2008, recording higher mean maximum wind gusts and more frequent windstorms with peak gusts of 48 knots or more. Following a major windstorm event in March 2008, an assessment of the windstorm-induced damage and the vulnerability characteristics of residents of 69 wind-damaged houses in eight districts located in Ibadan’s high density core area and older suburbs was undertaken. This was based largely on primary data from interviews conducted with residents of windstorm-affected districts and with key informants in urban planning institutions. The study provides insights into changing climate risk patterns and emerging vulnerabilities of inner-city residents of Ibadan. The role of local institutions in shaping vulnerability to climate risks was also examined.

Spatio‐temporal variations in thunderstorm rainfall over Nigeria

Thunderstorm rainfall is a major form of convective rainfall over Nigeria. Its contribution to total wet season rainfall increases from about 18% in the south to 36% in the north. The importance of thunderstorms lies in the fact that they contribute significantly to flooding episodes and soil erosion processes due to their high intensity and torrential characteristics. This paper examines the spatial and temporal variations in thunderstorm rainfall over Nigeria using daily rainfall data and associated weather information over a 30 year period (1960–1989) for 19 synoptic stations. Results show that the dry season distribution pattern of rainfall due to thunderstorms shows a general decrease from south to north similar to the total rainfall distribution pattern in the country. At the peak of the wet season (July–September) thunderstorm rainfall increases northwards up to around latitude 11°N when it begins to decrease. The effect of orography in enhancing thunderstorm rainfall across the country is also shown. Elementary linkage analysis was used to group the 19 synoptic stations into thunderstorm rainfall regions. Six regions were identified which showed internal coherence in terms of temporal fluctuations of thunderstorm rainfall.

A survey of rainstorms as weather hazards in southern Nigeria

This paper examines the role played by winds as a weather hazard in urban centres of southern Nigeria. It is observed that strong winds associated with rainstorms at the beginning of the rainy season are a threat to urban centres as they directly affect buildings and infrastructure. Wind hazards also have indirect social and economic consequences on the communities affected. Much of the damage done to buildings is as a result of inappropriate building designs that have not taken into consideration the wind environment. An inventory of reports of damage caused by winds during the first half of 1995 showed that different towns in eight states were affected. These incidences occurred mainly at the beginning of the rainy season when strong winds are associated with linesqualls. Although wind related hazards have not been adequately acknowledged as an environmental problem that needs to be properly addressed in Nigeria, as in the case of flooding, results have shown that it is a problem that requires government intervention in view of global climate change and consequent extreme weather events. Wind hazard awareness and preparedness as integral aspects of development policy and planning of the environment is therefore needed in West African countries where linesqualls are very significant rain producers.

Flood risk perception in flood-affected communities in Lagos, Nigeria

The widespread increase in flood hazards and the ensuing impacts have guided a change in approach to flood risk management especially in developed countries. This is based on the realisation that the integration of non-structural approaches to flood mitigation, for which the understanding of the social dimensions of flood risk is an important aspect, is needful. Flooding as a consequence of changing rainfall patterns and increased frequency of storm surges in the context of urban development has become a major risk in the coastal megacity of Lagos. The focus of flood management in the city has however largely been on structural measures with little attention directed to addressing the social processes which shape the vulnerability or resilience of flood-affected population. Risk perception is an aspect of the social construction of risk, the understanding of which is important in managing risks. The paper employs a combination of theoretical and non-theoretical methods including residents’ self-perceived vulnerability and concerns about flood risk, and the psychometric paradigm approach to examine perception of flood risk by residents in flood-affected communities in the city. Data were collected through the administration of a purposely designed questionnaire to 1000 residents in flood-affected communities in the period following two major flood events in the city which occurred in 2011 and 2012. The relationship between flood risk perception and socio-demographic characteristics of residents was also examined. The implications of findings of the study for flood risk management in the city are discussed.

Vulnerability of artisanal fishing communities to flood risks in coastal southwest Nigeria

The vulnerability of coastal communities to climate change risks is an important development issue for Africas low-lying coastal zones. Frequent floods resulting from climate change, sea-level rise and other human-induced environmental stressors have become a major concern in the coastal zone of Nigeria. This article draws upon conceptual issues in vulnerability and livelihoods to examine the multi-scale causes of current vulnerability of artisanal fishing communities in the Ogun coastal area of southwest Nigeria to flood risks. Fisher folk in the study area are highly vulnerable to the increasing incidence of floods as virtually all aspects of their livelihoods are impacted. Adaptive capacity which is influenced by existing socio-economic and institutional contexts at different scales is examined. Projected changes in climate for Nigerias coastal zone and future socio-economic conditions of artisanal fishers suggest higher vulnerability in the future.

The Nigerian press and environmental information for sustainable development

The prominence accorded the environment and the importance of public engagement in sustainable development issues during the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development underscores the role of environmental information in achieving local environmental sustainability goals. The paper examines the role of the Nigerian press, one of the most vibrant in sub-Saharan Africa, in reporting environmental issues at the turn of the twenty-first century. Two national newspapers, The Daily Times and The Guardian were content analysed for coverage of environmental issues, including climate change, for the 5-year period 1999–2003. The degree of prominence and nature of environmental reports are assessed. The results show that energy issues dominate reports on the environment in both newspapers while climate change, a critical global environmental issue is accorded very little attention. Both newspapers assessed are yet to actively feature environmental articles tailored to issues of everyday life as majority of environmental publications are news reports.