By maryam Diallo Dakar
A significant workshop on climate adaptation for Nigeria’s road infrastructure took place on November 2, 2024, led by Professor Auwal Farouk Abdussalam, principal investigator of the N-CARE framework (Nigeria’s Climate Adaptation for Road Enhancement).
The event was opened by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of Kaduna State University professor Mohammed Bashir Ali, who stressed the research’s potential to significantly reduce future road infrastructure costs for the Nigerian government if effectively implemented.
The workshop attracted experts from various organizations, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). Representatives from the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and various federal and state ministries, along with climate-focused NGOs and media members, also attended. A strong academic presence from Kaduna State University, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and Bayero University Kano contributed valuable insights.
The N-CARE framework, funded by TetFund’s 2023 National Research Fund, offers a comprehensive approach to integrating climate change adaptation throughout the road infrastructure lifecycle—from planning and design to maintenance and operations. It emphasizes the use of climate-resilient materials, advanced drainage systems, and climate risk assessments to protect road networks from extreme weather, sea-level rise, and temperature variations, ensuring durability and safety.
Professor Abdussalam underscored the urgency of implementing climate resilience measures, especially given Nigeria’s diverse climate zones, where roads often face challenges such as flooding, erosion, and heat stress.
He emphasized that strengthening the transportation sector’s resilience is vital for Nigeria’s economic growth and community well-being.
Workshop sessions covered data collection methodologies, vulnerability assessments, and the application of GIS technology to map and analyze climate risks across Nigeria’s road networks. Stakeholder engagement was prioritized to incorporate insights from local communities, policymakers, international experts, and academic institutions into adaptation strategies.
The workshop concluded with a call for ongoing collaboration, outlining a structured action plan for implementing climate-resilient road strategies and establishing a robust monitoring framework to evaluate their effectiveness. Attendees noted that these initiatives would enhance the longevity of Nigeria’s road infrastructure while yielding significant cost savings for the government over time.
A participant at the workshop ibrahima yakubu, who is the Team leader of African climate reporters -Nigeria expressed happiness for been part of the workshop
While thanking the organisers of the event, he equally appealed to both state and federal government to be constructing road using the recommendations suggested by stakeholders on Nigeria’s climate adaptation for enhancement frameworks that was held in kaduna
