Schematic Review on Policy Implications of Microbial Climate Change Impacts on Nigerian Public Health

This schematic review examines the intricate nexus between climate change and microbial disease patterns in Nigeria, analyzing the public health implications and necessary policy responses. Climate-driven environmental changes—including rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events—are fundamentally reshaping Nigeria's disease ecology, exacerbating vulnerabilities in a population already burdened by existing health challenges . The review synthesizes current evidence demonstrating how climate factors influence the geographic distribution, transmission dynamics, and severity of major microbial diseases including vector-borne (malaria, dengue), waterborne (cholera, typhoid), zoonotic (Lassa fever), and respiratory infections . Nigeria's adaptation deficits, characterized by weak health systems, inadequate surveillance, and fragmented governance, critically undermine resilience to these climate-amplified microbial threats. The analysis reveals that the most severe impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including rural communities, urban slum dwellers, women, and children, who face compounded risks from socioeconomic inequities and limited access to healthcare . The review proposes a comprehensive policy framework emphasizing climate-resilient health infrastructure, integrated surveillance systems, strengthened water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH) programs, and intersectoral governance approaches. These recommendations highlight the urgent need for Nigeria-specific adaptations of global climate-health strategies, supported by sustainable financing and community-centered interventions . By translating scientific evidence into actionable policy, Nigeria can build more resilient public health systems capable of addressing the escalating microbial threats intensified by climate change.