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Water Resources, Forced Migration and Tensions with Host Communities in the Nigerian Part of the Lake Chad Basin

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  • Frederic Noel Kamta

    (Research Group Climate Change and Security (CLISEC), Institute of Geography, Center for Earth System, Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, 20144 Hamburg, Germany
    School of Integrated Climate System Sciences (SICSS), University of Hamburg, 20144 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Janpeter Schilling

    (Research Group Climate Change and Security (CLISEC), Institute of Geography, Center for Earth System, Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, 20144 Hamburg, Germany
    Research Group Landuse Conflicts, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany
    Peace Academy Rhineland-Palatinate, University of Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany)

  • Jürgen Scheffran

    (Research Group Climate Change and Security (CLISEC), Institute of Geography, Center for Earth System, Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, 20144 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

The Lake Chad region is facing a nexus of interconnected problems including fragility, violent conflict, forced displacement, and scarcity of water and other resources, further aggravated by climate change. Focusing on northeast Nigeria, this study aims to answer the following questions: (1) What role does access to water and farming play in out-migration and return in northeast Nigeria? (2) What is the potential of tensions between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities? Data for this study were collected between March and May 2019 by interviewing 304 local residents and IDPs in northeast Nigeria, as well as experts on migration, environmental, humanitarian and conflict-related issues in research centers and governmental institutions in Abuja. Given the pronounced water scarcity in the region, the results show that between 47% and 95% of rural community members interviewed in northeast Nigeria would be willing to migrate in cases of water scarcity. At the time of study, only 2.5% to 7% of respondents had migrated previously in response to water scarcity, indicating that insecurity and conflict were, however, more relevant drivers of displacement. Regarding our second research question, we find a potential for tensions between IDPs and host communities, as 85% of the interviewed host community members oppose the presence of the IDPs. Hence, measures are needed to improve relations between the two groups. In order to avoid a future scenario where water scarcity becomes a significant driver of migration, efficient management of water resources is paramount. Such action would not only address the issue of migration, but also strengthen the resilience of communities in northern Nigeria.

Suggested Citation

  • Frederic Noel Kamta & Janpeter Schilling & Jürgen Scheffran, 2021. "Water Resources, Forced Migration and Tensions with Host Communities in the Nigerian Part of the Lake Chad Basin," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:10:y:2021:i:4:p:27-:d:525500
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Magdalena El Ghamari & Monika Gabriela Bartoszewicz, 2020. "(Un)Sustainable Development of Minors in Libyan Refugee Camps in the Context of Conflict-Induced Migration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-20, June.
    5. Frederic Noel Kamta & Janpeter Schilling & Jürgen Scheffran, 2020. "Insecurity, Resource Scarcity, and Migration to Camps of Internally Displaced Persons in Northeast Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-15, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wiederkehr, Charlotte & Ide, Tobias & Seppelt, Ralf & Hermans, Kathleen, 2022. "It’s all about politics: Migration and resource conflicts in the global south," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    2. Ludolph,Lars & Šedová,Barbora & Talevi,Marta, 2022. "Inequality and Security in the Aftermath of Internal Population Displacement Shocks :Evidence from Nigeria," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10053, The World Bank.
    3. Oluwatuyi S. Olowoyeye & Rameshwar S. Kanwar, 2023. "Water and Food Sustainability in the Riparian Countries of Lake Chad in Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, June.
    4. Chhanda Ruj & Aloke Majumdar & Somnath Ghosal, 2022. "Political ecology and hydrosocial relation: a study on drought and associated migration in a semi-arid district of West Bengal, India," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 709-734, December.

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