For over a century, global warming has caused unprecedented damage, leading to a surge in climate-related health emergencies. The World Health Organization (WHO) links climate change to an estimated 250,000 additional deaths annually from 2030 to 2050, with low-income countries like Nigeria disproportionately affected despite their minimal contributions to global emissions. They contribute the least yet are most affected, experiencing 15 times more impact from climate change as they lack adequate buffering capacity.

Where does Nigeria stand?

Nigeria is projected to be the world’s third most populous country by 2050, with over 400 million people (The Economist, 2020), making it more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country has updated and submitted the Nationally Determined Contribution (FGN, 2021) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change for a more informed decision-making process. This Policy Brief reviews the evidence and provides priority areas for action to address the impact of climate change in Nigeria. It also, for the first time, includes actions for emissions reductions from the waste sector.

What are the consequences of inaction? 

Taking no action in response to the public health risks posed by climate change will significantly exacerbate these threats. Over the past decade, there has been a 25% increase in climate-related public health events, and predictions indicating a 25-90% rise in undernourishment across Africa by 2050 (WHO, 2022). Furthermore, 70% of all the natural disasters in Africa between 2017 and 2021 are linked to climate change. This scenario will particularly impact Nigeria’s child mortality rates by increasing the prevalence of water-borne diseases and heightening the frequency and severity of natural disasters. The recent surge in floods in Lagos over the past few years has caused great harm to people’s livelihoods. Similarly, droughts and desertification have also become constant in Northern Nigeria, a stark reminder of the decline in precipitation due to climate change.

While inaction does not demand resources, the absence of proactive measures will leave the country ill-equipped to manage these escalating health emergencies, leading to severe public health consequences and account for more resources that could have been used for the prevention.

Adopting a One Health Approach

According to the WHO (WHO, 2023), the One Health approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health protections by promoting intersectoral collaboration to address the interconnectedness of these domains.  Up to 60% of emerging infectious diseases globally originate from animals. Extending human disease surveillance to include animal and environmental health will enable the early detection of emerging diseases. A coordinated monitoring system can significantly aid in controlling the spread of these diseases. This approach involves several strategic measures, which include:

1. Strengthening health systems: A One Health approach helps to assess and address weaknesses within health systems to better cope with climate-linked emergencies.
2. Supporting early warning systems: A holistic One Health approach fosters the establishment of local-level systems to predict and respond to vector- and water-borne diseases, thus enabling timely and effective interventions.
3. Collaboration across sectors: The One Health approach enhances cooperation amongst the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and the Environment so that they are better equipped to address the harmful impacts of climate change. 

Implementing the One Health approach provides immediate and cost-effective solutions for Nigeria’s climate-related public health challenges. Successful examples in countries like Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania demonstrate its feasibility and effectiveness in resource-constrained settings (WHO, 2022). Despite potential logistical challenges and resistance within established sectors, the multidisciplinary nature of One Health can significantly mitigate public health risks.

Recommendations

The Nigerian government should prioritise the One Health approach for its potential to offer immediate and sustainable solutions to climate-linked public health emergencies. Key recommendations include:

• The establishment of a comprehensive surveillance system that will broaden the scope of surveillance at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to monitor beyond human diseases and include animal and environmental health.
• The enhancement of intersectoral collaboration between health, agriculture, and environmental ministries to leverage the co-benefits of climate change mitigation and monitor greenhouse gas pollution.
• The development of early warning systems at the state’s epidemiological units to help constantly monitor the dynamics of epidemics, zoonotic and emerging diseases. 

In conclusion, the public health risks posed by climate change in Nigeria necessitate urgent and coordinated action. Through its integrated and collaborative strategies, the One Health approach offers a viable and effective solution to mitigate the impacts of climate change on public health. This will enhance the country’s preparedness and resilience against climate-related health emergencies, ultimately safeguarding the well-being of its citizens.

Reference

The Economist. (2020). Africa’s population will double by 2050. The Economist. Retrieved from: https://www.economist.com/special-report/2020/03/26/africas-population-will-double-by-2050. Accessed on: 04/07/2024.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN, 2021). Nationally Determined Contribution. Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja. https://climatechange.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NDC_File-Amended-_11222.pdf 

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Climate change. World Health Organization. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change#tab=tab_1. Accessed on: 04/07/2024. 

World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. (2021). Africa faces rising climate-linked health emergencies. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.afro.who.int/news/africa-faces-rising-climate-linked-health-emergencies. Accessed on: 05/07/2024. 

World Health Organization. (2023). One Health. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health

World Health Organization. (2022). Africa faces rising climate-linked health emergencies. Retrieved from: https://www.afro.who.int/news/africa-faces-rising-climate-linked-health-emergencies. Accessed on: 05/07/2024.