New
New
Year 8

Climate change and Nigeria

I can describe climate change impacts in Nigeria, list some ways in which the country is adapting, and explain what climate justice means.

New
New
Year 8

Climate change and Nigeria

I can describe climate change impacts in Nigeria, list some ways in which the country is adapting, and explain what climate justice means.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Lagos is threatened by flooding and sea level rise.
  2. The north of Nigeria faces desertification due to drought.
  3. Farmers face changing rainfall and lower crop yields.
  4. Climate justice is about understanding that some people and countries are impacted by climate change more than others.
  5. Climate justice advocates for global action to support countries, such as Nigeria, to adapt to climate change impacts.

Keywords

  • Climate change - large-scale and long-term change in the planet’s climate, including weather patterns and average temperatures

  • Subsistence farming - farming that provides enough food for the farmer and their family to live on, rather than for them to sell

  • Desertification - the process by which semi-arid land becomes drier and turns into desert

  • Greenhouse gases - gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat

Common misconception

Everyone in Nigeria is impacted by climate change equally.

Some people in Nigeria are impacted by climate change more than than others. Many different overlapping factors make some people more vulnerable to climate change impacts than others.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Climate change and Nigeria, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Task 1 could be simplified by asking learners to focus on the consequences of one impact of climate change, such as more frequent and intense flooding.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the largest city in Nigeria?
Abuja
Port Harcourt
Correct answer: Lagos
Kano
Q2.
What is one reason why people move from rural areas to Lagos?
Fewer schools
Correct answer: Higher-paying jobs
Scarce housing
Lack of industry
Q3.
Which of these is a lasting impact of colonialism in Nigeria?
Nigeria was never colonised
Correct answer: Borders created by Britain
No changes to language or laws
Equal development across all regions
Q4.
What is one challenge Nigeria faces today?
No natural resources
Overreliance on agriculture
Correct answer: Inequality and uneven development
Lack of internet access
Q5.
What type of climate does southern Nigeria have?
Desert
Temperate
Correct answer: Tropical
Arctic
Q6.
Which part of Nigeria is driest?
South-east
Central Plateau
Correct answer: North
Niger Delta

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:climate change,Long-term shifts in climate and weather

Long-term shifts in climate and weather

Correct Answer:subsistence farming,Farming for family use, not to sell

Farming for family use, not to sell

Correct Answer:desertification,Land turning to desert due to dryness

Land turning to desert due to dryness

Correct Answer:greenhouse gases,Gases that trap heat in Earth’s air

Gases that trap heat in Earth’s air

Q2.
Which area of Nigeria is most at risk from desertification?
Niger Delta
Lagos
Correct answer: Northern Nigeria
Eastern Highlands
Q3.
How does climate change affect subsistence farmers in Nigeria?
It increases crop yields
It improves rainfall
Correct answer: It causes droughts and crop failure
It lowers food prices
Q4.
Which statement best shows the effects of climate change in Nigeria?
It affects everyone in the same way
Only farmers notice climate change
Correct answer: Some groups are more affected than others
It only matters in cities