Climate Change, Insecurity and Herdsmen-Farmer Crisis in Contemporary Nigeria

Abstract

More than ever before, the dangers associated with climate change has become more evident and impactful in all societies across the globe in the contemporary era. The dilemma results from natural occurrences to human-induced manifestations; all pointers to the depth and impact on human lives. The present study examines the nexus between desertification of northern Nigeria that harbors 98% of herdsmen in the country and conflicts with farmers on account of the search for arable land for grazing. The continued pattern of migration of the Fulani herdsmen from the North to other parts of the South is a clear manifestation of the pervasive impact of climate change in the region. Thus, the clashes between herdsmen and farmers is presently threatening inter-group relations especially in the middle belt; aggravating ethnic, religious and political tensions across the country. The security conundrum into which this dilemma has put the country manifest as one sore thumb requiring surgical intervention before a possible conflagration that could unbundle the Lugardian architecture of 1914.This paper, contributing to the debate on climate change, green economy and security adopts a qualitative approach in methodology and with a historical narrative model for its analysis by utilizing both primary and secondary sources of data. It concludes that governments across the region especially sahelian West Africa must positively engage them to proffer a joint response to the malaise in the land. It specifically tasked the Nigerian state to be proactive in environmental policies that could curb rise in bloody conflicts in the land.