Climate Variability, Land Degradation, and Socio Political Drivers of Herders–Farmers Conflict in Nigeria
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper examines the intricate relationship between climate change, environmental problems and the growing herders-farmers conflict in Nigeria, and how environmental stressors arising from climate change further intensify competition for resources and contribute to social confrontations. The analysis is based on long-term climate trends such as increasing temperatures, increasing variability of rainfall, and degradation of land in northern Nigeria and their consequences for pastoral livelihoods. These changes in the environment have intensified migration patterns causing pastoralists to migrate south in search of viable grazing land and water resources and often resulting in conflict with sedentary farming communities. The research methodology involves secondary data, which involves a synthesis of climate data, conflict event history, and governance structures to determine the interactions of climate stress and land-use competition along with policy failures. The results indicate that climate change is not directly related to violence, but rather a threat multiplier, which increases the socio-political vulnerabilities of a population. Regions that have poor governance systems and whose tenure systems in regard to land are not clear are very likely to erupt in violent conflict especially at the time of environmental stress. The study concludes by suggesting integrated policy solutions, a combination of climate adaptation policy, a sustainable land use management strategy, and conflict resolution mechanisms to address the immediate and root cause of herders-farmers violence.
Source: Ife Social Sciences Review
Institutions: Adekunle Ajasin University, Obafemi Awolowo University
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220887628