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.