HistoryData
disaster1973

Climate changes in Nigeria like drought and, flooding that causes alot of environmental changes

January 1, 1973

Recurring drought and flooding in Nigeria have disrupted agriculture, caused famines, and driven violent conflict over land resources.

Quick Facts

Year
1973
Category
disaster

Key Facts

Famine years in Northern Nigeria
1914, 1924, 1935, 1943, 1951–1954, 1972–1973
Farmers affected by drought/flood (2020)
~79% of surveyed Nigerian farmers
Severely disrupted harvests (2020)
26.3% of affected farmers %
Deaths from herder-farmer violence (2018)
More than 2,000 people
Survey coverage
Seven states of Nigeria

By the Numbers

19,141,924,193,519,430,000
Famine years in Northern Nigeria
79
Farmers affected by drought/flood (2020)
26.3%
Severely disrupted harvests (2020)
2,000people
Deaths from herder-farmer violence (2018)

Location

Map of NigeriaMap of NigeriaNigeria

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Long-term drought in Nigeria, particularly severe in the arid and semi-arid northern regions, has reduced available agricultural and grazing land. The 1972–1973 drought episode was part of a recurring pattern of famine-inducing dry spells that have periodically struck Northern Nigeria since the early twentieth century.

Event

The 1972–1973 drought was one of several major drought events in Nigeria's recorded history, contributing to famine conditions across Northern Nigeria. Arid and semi-arid zones proved most vulnerable, while the country's agricultural output was severely compromised, echoing earlier famines of 1914, 1924, 1935, and 1943.

Consequence

Drought-driven land scarcity has pushed farmers and herdsmen into new territories, fueling violent conflicts that killed over 2,000 people in 2018 alone. Ongoing drought and flooding continue to threaten national food security, with roughly 79% of Nigerian farmers in a 2020 survey reporting damaging effects on their harvests.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 197319731970197119721974197519761973 World Aquatics Championships — 1973 edition of the World Aquatics Championships1973 oil crisis — 1973 petroleum shortage1973 European Super Cup — football tournamentEurovision Song Contest 1973 — 18th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest1973–74 European Cup — 19th season of the UEFA club football tournament1973 Formula One season — sports season1973 World Women's Handball Championship — 1973 edition of the World Women's Handball ChampionshipEuroBasket 1973 — Basketball tournamentdrought-in-nigeria-1973