Professional Review of Locust Surveillance Systems and Early Warning Mechanisms in Northeastern States of Nigeria

Locust incursions pose a recurring threat to food security in Nigeria's northeastern states, and timely detection through effective surveillance systems is critical for triggering emergency response before swarms cause catastrophic crop losses. The 2019 to 2021 desert locust upsurge in West and East Africa highlighted weaknesses in national early warning and response systems in the region. This study conducts a professional review of locust surveillance systems and early warning mechanisms currently operating in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. Government surveillance reports, response records, and budget allocations from 2018 to 2024 will be reviewed through desk research and key informant interviews with officers from the Federal Department of Agriculture, state ministries, and FAO-supported monitoring programs. Field assessments will evaluate the geographic coverage of existing monitoring networks and the communication pathways linking field observers to decision-makers. Strengths, gaps, and bottlenecks in the current system will be analyzed using a process evaluation framework. This study provides a professional-level diagnostic of surveillance system performance that directly informs recommendations to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Outputs will include a systems improvement plan with costed upgrade options. Keywords: locust surveillance, early warning, North East Nigeria, food security, desert locust