Investigating the effect of Climate Change and Water Scarcity on the Conflict between Herders and Farmers in Nigeria: A case study of Benue state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines how Climate Change and its effects on humanity have continued to extend beyond the well-known frontiers. One of such issue that is yet to be sufficiently explored is the consequences of climate change on security and conflicts around the world. In Nigeria, effects of climate change such as desertification and water scarcity have constituted a major security threat to the peace and unity of the country. In recent times, the country has been engulfed in a recurrent decimal of conflicts; between the herders who are mostly Muslims, and farmers/landowners who are predominantly Christians. This situation has led to a general perception that the conflict is a planned domination, and conversion of the Cristian tribes of the middle belt and southern Nigeria into Islam. But this study looks at the conflict from the view of Greed and Grievance theory. Relevant data gathered from secondary sources formed the bedrock of the study. In analysing of data, “descriptive analysis” was used as the main analytical tool for the study. The study has been able to empirically prove that the conflict has been triggered by climate change, which has led to the pastoralist migrating from north to the southern part of the country in search of foliage and water for their animals. And that no sufficient link to a jihadist agenda has been found as widely perceived. The lackadaisical handling of the conflict by the Federal government and security agencies in Nigeria seems to have greatly contributed to the lingering of the conflict for a long time.