Climate Change Laws: The Catholicon to the Farmer-Herder Crises in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: The weight of overwhelming scientific evidence indicates that human-induced climate change is occurring in Nigeria, with the northern areas of the country faced with massive desertification.  This has forced the northern herders down south in search of green pastures and on the farms of southerners who depend on these crops for a living. The resultant incessant clashes, this time with more sophisticated arms and weapons, take their toll in lives and property. The major problem envisaged in this work is the erroneous belief by the Federal Government that the proposed establishment of cattle colonies - Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) - and National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) will curb the farmer-herder crises. Methodology: The study used doctrinal method of research which involve review of existing literature Findings: Major findings in this work include that Nigeria has joined very elite countries in the world in enacting climate change laws encapsulated in the Nigeria Climate Change Act, 2021. Effective implementation of this Act therefore remains the nepenthe to the farmer-herder crises in Nigeria. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that the Nigeria Climate Change Act should be fully implemented so that the farmer-herder crises can capsize.