Bridging the Climate Information Gap for Sokoto’s Rice Farmers

Freelance journalist Abdullahi Muritala investigates how poor communication of climate forecasts is worsening the struggles of rice farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria. His reporting focuses on the communities of Tsitse (Gada), Shinaka (Goronyo), and Gatawa (Sabon Birni), where unpredictable rainfall and flooding have repeatedly destroyed crops and incomes.

Despite millions allocated to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for climate data and early warnings, many smallholder farmers remain unaware of forecasts that could protect their livelihoods. Through field reporting, interviews, and data visualization, Muritala documents the information gap that leaves farmers unprepared for weather shocks—and its link to Nigeria’s growing food insecurity.

The story, published by The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and The Liberalist, aims to amplify rural voices and drive attention to policies that can make climate information more accessible and effective.