Former federal lawmaker and climate change advocate, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has warned Nigerians to brace for more unusual and unpredictable weather patterns, saying recent rainfall during the Christmas period in parts of Kwara State is clear evidence that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality.
Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s landmark Climate Change Act of 2021, made this assertion in a press release he personally signed. He was reacting to reports of showers on Christmas Day and rainfall again on December 30, 2025, in parts of Kwara State—an occurrence widely described by residents as rare and unprecedented.
According to the former member of the National Assembly, the development underscores the growing unpredictability of Nigeria’s climate and the urgent need for citizens and policymakers alike to pay closer attention to environmental issues.
“The rare occurrence in Kwara State has proved once again that climate change is real and highlights the need for all Nigerians to pay more attention to the environment. A friend of mine from that state, who is about 60 years old, told me it was the first time in his life that he witnessed showers on Christmas Day in Ilorin and rainfall again on the 30th of December.”Onuigbo said
He noted that December is typically associated with the dry season and the Harmattan, a period known for dusty winds and low humidity, rather than rainfall. The unexpected showers, he said, disrupted normal seasonal expectations and caught many residents unprepared.
Onuigbo added that the unusual weather was not limited to Kwara State alone; stressing that similar anomaly had been recorded in other parts of the country. These, he explained, are consistent with broader climate trends linked to global warming, environmental degradation, and changing atmospheric conditions.
The climate advocate, who currently represents the South-East geopolitical zone on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), emphasized that Nigeria’s experience is part of a wider regional and global pattern.
In his words: “Interestingly, Nigeria is not the only country experiencing these changes, Southern Ghana experienced lingering rainfall as of late December, which was described as statistically rare for that time of the year, due to a delayed dry season, also known as the Harmattan.”
Experts have attributed such delayed dry seasons and irregular rainfall to rising global temperatures, deforestation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, all of which affect traditional climate cycles across West Africa.
Onuigbo used the opportunity to restate the importance of the Climate Change Act 2021, which he sponsored during his time in the National Assembly. The Act provides a legal framework for Nigeria’s climate action, including mitigation, adaptation, and the promotion of sustainable development across sectors.
He urged federal and state governments to fully implement the provisions of the law, especially section 26 of the 2021 Climate Change Act, which mandates Climate Change to be taught at all levels of education in Nigeria.
Rt.Hon. Onuigbo advised communities and individuals to adopt environmentally friendly practices such as tree planting, proper waste management, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
“Climate Change is no longer an abstract concept discussed only at international conferences. It is affecting our farms, health, infrastructure, our daily lives and livelihoods. What we are seeing in Kwara and other places should serve as a wake-up call.” he said.
Onuigbo who commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “for being Climate Change sensitive leader” appealed to Nigerians to support policies and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, warning that failure to act decisively could lead to more extreme weather events, food insecurity, and economic losses in the years ahead
