International records / OpenAlex research

Desert Encroachment Preceding Insecurity: A Silent Crisis in Nigeria's Sahel Region

Desertification and climate change have long displaced communities in Nigeria’s Sahel-Sudan belt, even before armed conflict and insecurity escalated. This paper documents historical land degradation, displacement of villages, and ecological decline in northern Nigeria, estimates annual rates and land loss, and examines socio-economic consequences. It further proposes viable mitigation strategies including Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), sustainable land management, restoration of wetland hydrology, and policy enforcement. Immediate action is essential to prevent further displaceme…