Although climate change is a global issue, "Nigeria is one of the countries that would be most impacted... because of its size, population, rain-fed agriculture and variable climatic zones," Odey told a public forum.

"The impacts on our society and the economy will be huge and cross-cutting," Odey said at the forum to brief journalists on the reports of a government panel on climate change.

Droughts, desert encroachment, floods, erosion and storms are likely to increase in frequency and intensity, he said.

Other possible effects of climate change in Nigeria are changes in rainfall patterns that could impact on food production, aggravation of soil and coastal erosion, said Odey.

"The consequences of these impacts can be dire and will invariably result in population movements, climate change refugees, with resultant civil unrest with attendant security implications," he stated.

Nigeria has a population of about 150 million, the higest in Africa.

"Perhaps the most devastating consequences of climate change is in the area of health, arising from aggravated heat waves, clean water shortage, food scarcity and associated dislocation," he added.

Nigerians, he also said, must be "massively mobilised" to take measures to reduce emission of the gases responsible for global warming, and embark on mass education to bring about a change in the national attitude.

The campaign against climate change should be treated as a national security matter due to its possible negative effects on the country, the minister said.

He said that the government would engage all segments of the society in a bid to combat climate change.

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