Desertification and Its Effects on Pastoral Livelihoods in Yobe State, North East Nigeria

Desertification driven by climatic variability and unsustainable land use practices is progressively reducing the productive capacity of drylands across Nigeria's North East zone, threatening the livelihoods of pastoral communities dependent on rangeland resources. This study examines the extent of desertification and its effects on pastoral livelihoods in three Local Government Areas of Yobe State using a mixed-methods approach. Normalised difference vegetation index time series derived from MODIS satellite data were analysed over the period 2015 to 2024 to detect vegetation cover trends. Structured questionnaires were administered to 175 pastoral households and supplemented by focus group discussions with community elders and women's groups. Results reveal a persistent negative trend in vegetation productivity across 62 percent of the study area, with the most severe degradation occurring in areas subjected to intensive dry-season grazing near permanent water sources. Pastoral households report declining herd sizes, increased mobility distances, and elevated livestock mortality during drought years as direct consequences of rangeland degradation. Inter-community conflicts over shrinking water and pasture resources are documented as an emerging secondary effect. The study recommends rotational grazing management, rehabilitation of degraded rangelands through drought-tolerant grass seeding, and investment in supplementary water points to reduce grazing pressure near existing sources. Keywords: desertification, pastoralism, rangeland degradation, Yobe State, dryland livelihoods.