Climate Change and Social Conflicts in Nigeria and Niger Republic. A Comparative Analysis

Academic Paper from the year 2021 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Africa, grade: 2.5, , course: Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa, language: English, abstract: This research examines the impact of climate change on societal conflict in Nigeria and Niger Republic. The objectives are to determine the impact of climate change on social conflict in Nigeria and Niger Republic; identify the progenitors and victims of climate change in Nigeria and Niger Republic; examine citizens' perceptions on nationalist identities; and proffer solutions through mitigation and adaption strategies for mutual interdependence. Two key areas of conflict necessitated this research. First, subnational agitations for environmental protection arising from environmental degradation, pollution, gas flaring, biodiversity depletion and destruction of the aquatic habitat which tends to undermine national unity. Second, farmers/herders clashes occasioned by deforestation and desertification of the Sahel region and the Lake Chad basin which undermine national security, peace and sustainable development in both countries. The anger of nature (astronomical) against humans (anthropogenic) on its endowments, and the reactive consequences of nature on how human beings and their agents have abused and destroyed the material/mineral resources freely provided by nature for man's economic and social sustainability when not addressed drastically would negatively impact on subnational and interstate disharmony. The social conflict analytical approach, the Social Conflict Theory and the Anthropogenic Global Warming Theory are used to theoretically justify potentials of these social conflicts in redirecting the narratives of national unity and ethnic identity in both countries. This study uses descriptive research design and content analysis. The data employed for the study will be gathered from secondary sources. This work observed the devastating nature of social conflicts arising from climate change, especially in the Middle Belt in Nigeria, by headers/farmers crisis. It attributed it to lack of understanding, intolerance, accommodation and burden sharing. It enjoined citizens to stop religious and politicization of the crisis and give peace a chance for unity, solidarity and mutual co-existence in both countries.

I am Ebenezer Leo the Great Ph.D. I hail from Ula-upata town Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. I hold a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of Port-Harcourt in Rivers State, specialsing in Comparative/ Nigerian Government and Politics. Currently, I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Federal College of Education Technical Omoku Rivers state Nigeria. I teach Political Economy, Political Research Methods, Comparative Government and Politics, Constitutional Development in West Africa, Social Sciences, Issues in Peace and Conflict Resolution studies, Local Government Administration etc. to undergraduate students. I am into full time teaching, research and mentorship. I have published over ten journal articles in local journals (hard copies) and contributed chapter papers in books. I have written three books too. My Ph.D research was on "Political Accountability and Voter Turnout in Nigeria's Elections (1999-2015)". I am currently seeking funding to update the research from 2019 to 2023 elections in Nigeria. My two other ongoing research endeavours will also be published internationally. I fund all my researches, conferences and professional bodies' registrations personally. But I am determined as a young scholar to excel if given the opportunity to prove myself and help address socio-economic and political issues academically. Presently, I am a member of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA); Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). I have spent the past ten years in the university system in administration, teaching, research, project supervision, mentorship and general support services. I love education especially quality and sustainable education in the school system for societal socio-economic and political development. Presently, I am the Project Coordinator of the Global Coalition Against Examination Malpractice in Africa (GCAEMA) project aimed at revamping the reading culture, curbing examination malpractice and promoting quality education in the school system in Nigeria and Africa.