Disaster Risk Insurance and Climate Adaptation in the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria

This study examines disaster risk insurance mechanisms and their potential role in climate change adaptation in Nigeria's Middle Belt region, encompassing states including Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau. The Middle Belt has experienced intensifying climate-related disasters including floods, desertification encroachment, drought, and farmer-herder conflict exacerbated by resource scarcity, creating a compelling case for disaster risk financing instruments. This research employs a policy and practice analysis design with data from 30 disaster risk management officials at state emergency management agencies, 20 insurance professionals with rural risk expertise, and 15 climate adaptation policymakers at federal ministries. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires assess current disaster financing gaps, awareness of parametric and index-based insurance instruments, willingness to participate in government-facilitated disaster risk pools, and institutional capacity for administering disaster insurance programs. Findings are analyzed using thematic and content analysis. Preliminary findings are expected to document near-total reliance on post-disaster government relief expenditure, with no formal insurance mechanisms in place for the region. The study recommends a Middle Belt Climate Risk Insurance Facility funded jointly by federal, state, and international development partners. Keywords: Disaster Risk Insurance, Climate Adaptation, Middle Belt, Parametric Insurance, Nigeria.