CLIMATE CHANGE, FARMER-HERDER CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA AND THE QUEST FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE

Authors: Samuel Ogbogu, PhD & Prince Eze, PhD

ABSTRACT

In a bid to achieve sustainable peace between farmers and herders, there is a need to consider the interplay between climate change and the farmer-herder conflicts, which is currently a critical challenge in Nigeria. Against this background, this study investigates the impact of climate change-induced migration on farmer-herder conflicts, analyzing socio-economic and environmental drivers while proposing adaptive strategies for sustainable peace. This study, using a Socio-ecological System theory and data collected through secondary sources, examines how climate change has significantly impacted agricultural production in Nigeria, leading to declining crop yields, reduced livestock productivity, and altered migration patterns. Accordingly, the conflicts between farmers and herders have become increasingly common, often arising from competition over land and water resources. By analyzing the socio-economic and environmental drivers of these conflicts, this study finds that there is a complex relationship between climate change, migration, and farmer-herder conflict. It is in this regard that the study recommends, among other things, the need for adaptive strategies to address climate change-induced farmer-herder conflicts. This could be achieved by integrating climate adaptation, land-use planning, and community-led conflict resolution strategies, through this medium, as well as recommendations that will bring about sustainable peace.

Keywords: Climate Change, Peace, Conflicts, Herder-Farmer, Migration, Nigeria

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