Is Climate change Responsible for Farmers-Herders Clashes in Nigeria?

This paper bothers on analytical review on how desertification caused by climate change propels herders-farmers clashes in Nigeria, as it continues to spread further southwards. The data for the study were obtained from the PRS International Country Risk Guide, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria, spanning from the year 2000-2019. A documentary and econometrics technique were employed, where in, graphical regression analysis, unit root test, bound test, Autoregressive-Distributed Lag short and long run test were conducted. Internal conflict index provided by PRS as index of herdsmen/farmers clashes was used as dependent variable, while desertification was captured in the model using primary tree loss as the felling of trees signifies such, average temperature was captured in the model as a variable that could explain herdsmen/farmers conflicts as a harsh temperature might reduce green vegetation, exacerbating the conflicts and rainfall which is seen to aid green vegetation were captured as independent variables. From the result of the study, no evidence of significant relationship exists between internal conflicts and desertification in Nigeria. In line with this, the study concludes that internal conflicts in Nigeria is not attributable to climate change. In view of this, the study recommends that; Government should set up ranches in the Northern part of Nigeria and feeds provided using the hydroponic farming system. This recommendation is predicated on the cultural differences between the Southern and Northern part of Nigeria so as to avoid occurrence of violent clashes.