CLIMATE CHANGE AND FULANI HERDSMEN – FARMERS’ CONFLICT IN NIGERIA

Charles Chukwurah Mezie-Okoye (PhD), Jude Chinwuba Asike (PhD)

Abstract


This paper examines climate change and security implications of Fulani Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in northern Nigeria. The paper states that these herdsmen because of drought caused by climate change were forced to migrate south from their origin in northern Nigeria. The crux of this study is that there is a diametrical link between climate change and Fulani herdsmen-farmers conflict. This paper examines the causes of the incessant Fulani herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts as well as the new dimension this conflict is taking. Today in Nigeria, the Fulani Herdsmen now move about with dangerous weapons. It is not only that the cows destroy farmland; women in the host communities are raped and at times killed. These Fulani Herdsmen are known to be involved in kidnapping. In these conflicts, many lives and cattle are lost, and properties of farmers as well as farmland destroyed  This paper examines the impact of climate change on  and causes of the incessant Fulani herdsmen and farmers conflicts in Nigeria and what the present government is doing to bring this conflict under control. The paper concludes that in as much as climate change plays a part in this conflict, but from our observation now, they are becoming very uncontrollable and dangerous. The study recommends that government should come up with policies to create grazing reserves and dams for pasture and water in states that are predominantly Fulani and not forcing themselves into other states to cause mayhem in the name of searching for pastures for their cows. 

Keywords


Fulani-herdsmen, Farmers, climate change, Conflicts, Pastoralist

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