Overview:
In Nigeria, the understanding of public awareness and perceptions of climate change—and their subsequent impact on climate action—has historically been insufficient. This lack of comprehensive insight highlighted a critical need to address existing gaps in climate knowledge and to inform the development of effective climate action policies. In response, the Sydani Eco Research Project (SERP) was launched with funding from Sydani to explore these critical aspects across six diverse states: Niger, Kebbi, Lagos, Anambra, Rivers, and Yobe. Initiated in May 2023, the project aimed to gather detailed insights from a wide range of demographic groups, recognizing the geographical and socio-economic diversity within Nigeria.
Action (Research):
The SERP was meticulously designed to investigate the interplay between public perception, climate policy, and climate action. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods research approach, the project combined qualitative and quantitative techniques to capture a comprehensive array of perspectives on climate change. This structured methodology involved gathering data from various stakeholders, including policymakers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), business leaders, and community representatives, across two local government areas in each state—one urban and one rural. Key activities included field surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, all aimed at ensuring an inclusive representation of Nigeria’s demographic landscape. The project team employed 65 research assistants who facilitated the data collection using a robust questionnaire designed on the Kobo Collect tool, ensuring that language barriers were minimized through the administration of surveys in local dialects.
Result:
The findings from the SERP highlighted significant disparities in climate change awareness and understanding across different regions and socio-economic groups within Nigeria. Notably, while 91% of respondents recognized climate change, only 33% were familiar with Nigeria’s existing climate policies, revealing a considerable gap between general awareness and specific policy knowledge. Furthermore, only 29.9% of participants expressed a willingness to take climate action, such as transitioning to clean energy, despite their awareness of climate issues.
The research also uncovered that traditional media remained the primary source of climate knowledge for 48% of respondents, while only 7% were informed through formal education, indicating an urgent need to integrate climate education into school curricula. Gender and socio-economic factors played a significant role in shaping respondents’ engagement with climate action, with barriers identified, particularly for women due to security concerns and societal norms. The project culminated in several strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing climate literacy and promoting actionable responses, including the need for localized adaptation strategies, improved stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable funding mechanisms for climate initiatives.
The results of this comprehensive research were presented at key international forums, such as the 3rd CPHIA in Zambia and the 28th Conference of Parties (COP 28) in Dubai, contributing valuable insights to global climate discussions.
