Experts attribute children’s poor health, education on climate change in Adamawa

By Yagana Ali, Yola 

Experts have warned that climate change is increasingly threatening the health, nutrition, education and overall well being of children in Adamawa State, as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, drought and flooding continue to disrupt livelihoods and food production. 

The warning was issued during a climate change and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) engagement organized by the Adamawa State Government with support from UNICEF and the ASWA III Project, funded by the Government of the Netherlands. 

Climate change expert, Professor Abel Adebayo, said changing weather patterns were already affecting agricultural activities in the state, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to determine when to plant and harvest crops. 

He disclosed that studies showed the planting season had shifted from around late April in the 1990s to as late as June in recent years. He said the change, coupled with prolonged dry spells and extreme weather events, was placing pressure on farming communities and threatening household food security. 

Adebayo cited preliminary findings from a study of the 2024 drought, which showed groundnut production declined by 31 per cent, beans by 46 per cent, while maize and rice production fell by about three per cent each. 

He warned that the decline in food production could have serious consequences for children, particularly in poor households where crops such as beans and groundnuts provide important sources of protein and other nutrients. “When nutrition is affected, disease and the health of our children are also in danger,” he stressed. 

The expert further said annual rainfall had reportedly declined by 31.7 per cent, while the number of rainy days dropped by 31 per cent. He also identified rising temperatures as a major threat to children, linking climate change to heat-related illnesses, hunger, malnutrition and displacement. 

Nambam Dawap, UNICEF WASH Officer in Bauchi, said children were among the most vulnerable to climate-related shocks because they depend on families and public services for safe water, sanitation, healthcare, food and education. 

Dawap explained that drought and declining water availability could force families to rely on unsafe water sources, increasing children’s exposure to waterborne diseases. Flooding, he added, could contaminate water sources and damage sanitation facilities, creating conditions for the spread of diarrhea and other diseases. 

He also linked climate change to child malnutrition, explaining that reduced agricultural production could make food scarce and expensive, forcing vulnerable families to reduce the quantity and quality of food available to their children. 

Climate-related disasters can also disrupt education, Dawp said, as floods may damage schools and roads, while displacement can force families to relocate and leave children out of school for extended periods. 

Aisha Yusuf, Head of the WASH Unit at RIWASSA, called for climate considerations to be integrated into WASH interventions, stressing that programmes should consider not only access to water and sanitation but also climate and gender-related vulnerabilities. 

She disclosed that UNICEF-supported youth groups, including the YPASS initiative, were already involved in climate awareness activities, while environmental health clubs in schools were being expanded to include climate change, hygiene, sanitation, waste management, water safety and menstrual health. 

The experts called for stronger climate-resilient infrastructure, improved agricultural practices, water conservation, forest protection and greater climate education for children and communities.

They stressed that climate action must be integrated into health, nutrition, education, WASH and child protection programmes. 

The experts ultimately stressed that climate change is no longer simply an environmental issue for Adamawa, but a growing child survival and development crisis, requiring urgent action to ensure that children have access to nutritious food, safe water, healthcare, sanitation and uninterrupted education.