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Delayed, Weaker Harmattan Signals Climate Change Impact Across Northern Nigeria – Anka
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Communities across Northern Nigeria, from Yobe, Benue and Adamawa to Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa, experienced an unusual Harmattan season in 2025, marked by late arrival, reduced intensity and subdued dust levels.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Director of Climate Change at the Kano State Ministry of Environment and climate change, Umar Sale Anka, disclosed this development in a post on his official Facebook page on Thursday, noting that the familiar seasonal pattern is increasingly becoming unpredictable.
Traditionally, the Harmattan — a dry, dusty wind carried by northeasterly trade winds from the Sahara Desert — arrives between late November and mid-March, signalling the peak of the dry season. However, experts say this long-established rhythm is now being disrupted by changing climatic conditions.
According to Anka, the timing and strength of the Harmattan depend on the balance between moist monsoon air and dry Saharan air. Historically, this transition followed a stable cycle, but rising global temperatures and changing atmospheric circulation have weakened the pressure systems that drive the dry winds southward, making the Harmattan less predictable and less intense.
In 2025, prolonged rainfall extended into what is usually the early dry season in parts of the North, leaving residual moisture in the atmosphere. This reduced the dryness needed for the Harmattan to set in, delaying its onset. Environmental factors such as vegetation loss, land degradation and changes in land surface temperatures have further altered local atmospheric behaviour, reinforcing the shift in seasonal patterns.
The changing climate, experts warn, poses serious challenges for smallholder farmers who depend on predictable seasons for planting and harvesting. Erratic rainfall and delayed dry periods have disrupted farming calendars, increased crop losses and reduced yields, contributing to rising food insecurity. In states such as Sokoto and Yobe, reduced surface water availability has also made irrigation more difficult and costly, placing additional economic pressure on rural households and local food markets.
Despite the challenges, stakeholders say there are practical steps communities can take to adapt. Climate-smart agriculture — including the use of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, crop diversification, soil conservation and integrated pest management — has been identified as a key strategy for stabilising food production amid erratic weather.
Investment in water harvesting and efficient irrigation systems is also critical. Techniques such as rainwater harvesting, community reservoirs and drip irrigation can help farmers maximise limited rainfall and reduce dependence on shrinking natural water sources. Improved access to accurate, localised weather forecasts and early warning systems can further empower farmers to make informed decisions.
At the policy level, experts stress the need to integrate climate adaptation into agricultural development plans. This includes expanding rural water infrastructure, promoting agricultural insurance schemes and ensuring that state and national policies reflect the realities faced by farmers in the North.
Civil society organisations are already playing an active role in this effort. Groups such as the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), the Centre for Environment and Rural Development (CERD), Green Legacy and Sustainable Action for Nature (SAN) are working with communities to promote climate-resilient practices and advocate supportive policies.
Observers say the delayed 2025 Harmattan season is more than a weather anomaly. It is a clear warning of a changing climate that requires sustained adaptation, collective action and long-term planning. With appropriate support, experts believe Northern Nigeria’s communities can continue to build resilience, safeguard livelihoods and secure a more sustainable future.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Kano State Commissioner of Finance and renowned academic, Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Governor Yusuf described the late Prof. Dandago as a dedicated public servant and accomplished scholar whose contributions to education and governance left lasting footprints in Kano State.
He noted that the former finance commissioner served the state with integrity and commitment and was widely respected for his professionalism, humility and passion for knowledge.
According to the governor, Kano State has lost a valuable son whose experience and wisdom greatly enriched both public service and the academic community.
Governor Yusuf extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the academic community and the people of Kano State over what he described as an irreparable loss.
He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives the shortcomings of the late Prof. Dandago, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and gives his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
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