As the risk of floodwaters rise each rainy season, the people of Kano, Nigeria, face a battle against nature that feels more urgent each year. But there is hope at last, a project at Bayero University, under the vision of Prof Aliyu Salisu Barau, is changing the game. Through the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif), this initiative by Prof Barau and his team is teaching communities to tackle flood risks head-on with Do-It-Yourself (DIY) adaptation strategies. Bayero University is one of the15 Rsif African Host Universities (AHU), focusing on climate change. This approach empowers the community to develop their own flood risk communication methods, equipping them to face the mounting impacts of climate change with resilience and resourcefulness.

Attending COP 29 this week with his team, Prof Barau is at the fore front sharing the successes and lessons of this initiative, showcasing Nigeria’s community-driven approach to resilience on the world stage. This  is a significant step in climate change adaptation strategies.

We caught up with Prof Barua and had this conversation:

Q: What motivated you to initiate the “Do-It-Yourself Adaptation” project, and what specific challenges does it aim to address in Northern Nigeria?

A: People in every community have inherent and inherited strategies to cope with a wide range of issues based on their nature of environment. On this note, our project explored some of the local knowledge

systems and experiences that could help in promoting and integrating them in addressing flood risks. These knowledge systems are key motivations and also the inherent failures associated with government-driven flood mitigation interventions that have failed to support affected communities.

Q: Can you describe the main goals of the project and how they align with the needs of rural communities facing climate risks?

A: The main goals are to promote communication strategies that demystify the science of climate change and flood adaptation in such ways that such knowledge will be available to people in their local language and regardless of their level of literacy.

Q: Could you explain the key features of the flood risk hazards toolkit and how it will empower communities to adapt to climate change?

A: Loss of shelter and farm produce are critical forms of loss and damage for rural communities. However, development of knowledge streams of how to promote resilience through cartoons, stage dramas and songs, a flood messaging app, that specifically educates communities on pre-disaster, during, and post-disaster scenarios.

Q: What immediate benefits do you anticipate for communities involved in this project, and how will you measure its success?

A: The use of smart technologies is an important and easy way for communities to share flood risk information easily and immediately, which is very important. Similarly, the cartoons and songs are tool for easily reaching out to women and youths in

particular through these tools’ entertainment dimensions.

Q: How does this project fit into Nigeria’s broader climate adaptation strategies and its commitments under international agreements?

A: African countries and Nigeria inclusive at the moment need to give top priority to community-focused adaptation education, information sharing and engagement as best ways to achieve adaptation and climate resilience from the grassroots.

Q: What specific messages or outcomes do you hope to bring to COP 29 regarding community-led adaptation efforts?

A: African needs more creative ways to enhance, upgrade and improve climate resilience and adaptation strategies that include local knowledge systems and experiences.

Q: In what ways do you believe grassroots initiatives like yours can influence national and international climate policies moving forward?

A: This kind of effort must start from somewhere. We are glad to be among the set of researchers to push this forward.

Q: What final thoughts would you like to share about the importance of community engagement in addressing climate change at COP 29 and beyond?

A: Rounds of COP are for the privileged and messages of communities are expressed through intermediaries. However, community engagement is a vehicle that takes communities through COPs meetings through verifiable results of what communities can do on their own to achieve resilience and positive climate actions.