LAND GOVERNANCE, ECOLOGY AND INSECURITY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA (KATSINA, KADUNA, JIGAWA AND BAUCHI STATES)
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The Institute is currently engaged in a two year research project on Land Governance, Ecology and Security in Northern Nigeria, covering four states: Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa and Bauchi. The project is being funded by the British FCDO, and administered by Tetra Tech,
LAND GOVERNANCE, ECOLOGY AND INSECURITY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA (KATSINA, KADUNA, JIGAWA AND BAUCHI STATES)
Meeting with persons affected by land grabbing The Institute is currently engaged in a two year research project on Land Governance, Ecology and Security in Northern Nigeria, covering four states: Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa and Bauchi. The project is being funded by the British FCDO, and administered by Tetra Tech, through the SPRiNG (Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria) programme.
Preparing to migrate from the area Farmers and pastoralists in our target states face a multitude of problems in achieving adequate incomes for their families. Among these are ecological issues like climate change, deforestation, land degradation; problems accessing land, due to land grabbing and confiscation of their land -- their basic resource -- by government officials, wealthy individuals, politicians, and multinational businesses; and insecurity as a result of banditry which prevents them from carrying out their livelihood activities for fear of being attacked. All of these issues are potential incubators of conflict, either between various groups (farmers and pastoralists, farmers and government officials/land grabbers) or among themselves due to competition for increasingly scarce resources in the community. Through intensive interviews in selected communities in the four target states, we are documenting these issues and will propose actions that would mitigate their negative effects. We intend to initiate interventions in all of these areas with the expectation that positive outcomes would result
Women Activities in Village Ecological issues like climate change, desertification and land degradation; issues of land governance including land grabbing and expropriation of the land used by farmers and pastoralists, and issues of banditry, all result in diminished access to necessary economic resources for the inhabitants of many communities in Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa and Bauchi States. Communities react to these situations in various ways. They may reluctantly accept the situation, or if it becomes intolerable, they may be driven to various actions, including migration from the area, recourse to legal action or protest letters to the authorities, or even violence. Conflict situations in rural areas involving farmers and pastoralists have significant implications not only for the individuals involved and their families, but for the wider Nigerian society, affecting issues like food insecurity, disruption to normal activities, feelings of fear among the populations, as well as scepticism of governmental authorities affecting competence to govern effectively, hence a feeling of alienation from democratic governance. Banditry is also a major current or emerging issue in the states this project focuses on and we are investigating the intersections between land governance and banditry. On the one hand, the expropriation of land from peasant farmers and herders by elites may be a factor driving people (especially youth) into banditry. On the other hand, banditry itself results in changes in land governance, notably the taking over of land by armed groups and the taxing and administering of local populations in their areas of control. These issues need to be resolved in order to ensure a peaceful society. The aim of this research is to propose an evidence-based analysis of the full range of issues around land governance, ecology and insecurity in northern Nigeria with the aim to finding ways of resolving them. A comprehensive report will be issued at the end of the project. We also intend to produce a documentary film that will create awareness of the issues in Nigeria and internationally. We intend to propose legislative actions, and government policies, aimed at restoring the rights of those who depend on land for their livelihood.
