Description
The Nigerian section of the Lake Chad Basin faces severe ecological stress, threatening the livelihoods and food security of its inhabitants. This study investigates the impacts of climate change-induced freshwater scarcity in this region. The research employed a multi-stage sampling approach to survey 257 households across 23 communities in Bauchi, Yobe, Kano, Jigawa, and Borno States, complemented by key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings reveal a basin-wide phenomenon of diminishing and increasingly unpredictable water resources. An overwhelming majority of respondents in Borno and Jigawa (approximately 90%) reported substantial changes in water levels and river flow regimes over the past decade. This scarcity has pronounced effects on livelihoods, with over 90% of households reliant on agriculture. Recurring droughts have led to cyclical low agricultural output and heightened food insecurity across most locations, except in Kano where livelihood diversification into non-farm activities provided greater resilience. Fishing communities also reported significant declines in fish catch volumes, particularly in Yobe and Borno. In response, households have adopted various adaptation strategies, including changes in cropping practices, water conservation, and tree planting, often supported by NGOs and extension services. The study concludes that climate change is fundamentally undermining freshwater availability, with related effects on food security and livelihood stability. It emphasise the pressing need for comprehensive, multi-level interventions. Recommendations include strengthening livelihood diversification, promoting sustainable water and agricultural practices, enhancing transboundary cooperation through the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and implementing policies that build the resilience of vulnerable communities against ongoing climatic and environmental shocks.
| Title | Climate Change–Induced Freshwater Scarcity |
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