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Plateau State Conflict: Climate Change Identified as Root Driver – New Paper Calls for Conflict-Sensitive Climate Action

Published

7 months ago

October 2, 2025

vicky

A new paper by Professor Elias Nankap Lamle of the University of Jos has spotlighted climate change as a key driver of violent conflict in Plateau State, urging government and stakeholders to integrate peacebuilding into climate adaptation strategies.

For decades, Plateau State has been plagued by farmer–herder clashes, banditry, and communal violence, often framed in ethnic or religious terms. The study, however, reveals that climate change—through desertification, erratic rainfall, and water scarcity—is forcing pastoralists southward while intensifying competition over land and water with farming communities.

“You can’t address violence in Plateau without addressing climate pressures. Desertification pushes herders south, Plateau’s fertile land pulls them in, and the result is unsustainable competition,” Prof. Lamle noted.

The paper emphasizes:

Conflict-sensitive adaptation: Every climate project must undergo conflict analysis to avoid fueling divisions.
Transparency in resource distribution: Elite capture of grazing reserves, irrigation schemes, or aid programs worsens mistrust.
Inclusion of marginalized groups: Women, youth, and displaced persons hold vital knowledge and must be part of decision-making.
Adaptation as peacebuilding: Shared challenges like reforestation, water management, and renewable energy can unite communities around collective solutions.

Examples cited include successful farmer–herder joint forums in Riyom and community-led reforestation in Bassa, which built both resilience and trust.

Prof. Lamle stresses that both the Plateau State and Nigerian federal governments must move from reactive security deployments to proactive climate-security strategies. Large-scale adaptation infrastructure should be supported federally, while state and local authorities facilitate inclusive dialogue and land management.

“Violence cannot be sustainably mitigated by force alone. Climate change is at the root, and peacebuilding must be mainstreamed into adaptation policies,” he said.

The study concludes that Plateau’s climate challenges can become opportunities for stability and cooperation if addressed through fair, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive adaptation.

Author: Prof. Elias Nankap Lamle, PhD (Leuven)
Center for Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos
Lead Consultant, ISSD, NAP Global, NAP Nigeria

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NUCAP: Nigeria dangles $35 million offer for 10% of SPV to drive rural broadband expansion – Technology Times

Published

8 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

Technology Times Newsroom

𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟒.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧-𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐀𝐩𝐩: +𝟐𝟑𝟒 𝟐𝟎𝟏 𝟒𝟓𝟒 𝟏𝟖𝟏𝟖.

News

Plateau Women Call For Inclusion, Fair Representation Ahead Of Elections

Published

9 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

By Patricia Amogu

A group, Women for Women Community, Plateau Chapter, has called for greater inclusion, fairness and equal political participation for women ahead of the forthcoming elections.

The call was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by the group’s Convener, Mrs Rhoda Jahota; Coordinator, Mrs Felicia Bala; and Secretary, Mrs Kauna Samuel.

The group said women remained critical stakeholders in peace building, economic growth, community leadership and family stability, stressing that their contributions should reflect in political leadership structures.

“As vital stakeholders in peace, growth and development, women have continued to contribute immensely to nation-building, community leadership, economic advancement and family stability.

“It is only right that these contributions are meaningfully reflected in our political leadership and decision-making structures,” the statement said.

The group appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, political actors and other stakeholders in Plateau to support competent and visionary women seeking elective offices.

It also urged political party leaders and chairmen to ensure a fair, transparent and level playing field for female aspirants during party primaries and elections.

“The inclusion of women on the ballot is not merely a political gesture,” the group stated.

“It is a necessary step toward strengthening democracy, promoting good governance and building a more inclusive society,” it added.

The group further urged women, mothers and youths to rise above political, ethnic and religious differences in supporting credible female candidates.

According to the statement, leadership should be driven by integrity, competence, compassion and vision rather than gender, ethnicity or political affiliation.

“The future of Plateau State is brighter when women are empowered to lead alongside men,” the group stated.

“A society that gives women equal opportunity in governance is positioned for sustainable peace, justice, unity and development,” it added.

The group described the advocacy as a call for progress, inclusion and transformational leadership, declaring that “it is Women O’Clock on the Plateau.” (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade