Climate Change, Flooding, and Food Security: Scientific Pathways to Resilience in Adamawa State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study investigates the multi-dimensional impacts of climate variability — specifically flooding and drought — on agricultural productivity, household food security, and community resilience in Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria. Employing a mixed-methods approach integrating 35 years of meteorological data (1990–2025), flood frequency analysis, crop yield records, household surveys (n=300), and spatial GIS mapping, the research reveals a statistically significant upward trend in extreme rainfall events. Flood frequency has increased from 0.4 events per year (2000–2005) to 1.5 events per year (2021–2024), with corresponding crop yield declines of 27–43% across staple crops (maize, sorghum, rice, and millet). Community surveys confirm severe household food insecurity, with 83% of respondents reporting agricultural income losses and 71% reducing their daily meal frequency. Women and children bear disproportionate burdens. The paper proposes an integrated policy framework emphasizing climate-smart agriculture (CSA), early warning systems, ecosystem restoration, transboundary water governance, and gender-inclusive resilience strategies.