Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation Mainstreaming in State Environmental Agencies in North Central Nigeria

Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into the institutional frameworks and operational practices of state environmental agencies is essential for building systemic resilience, yet the degree to which this integration has been achieved in Nigeria's North Central states remains unevaluated. This study evaluates climate change adaptation mainstreaming in state environmental agencies across six North Central states, using a structured institutional capacity and mainstreaming assessment instrument developed from the United Nations Development Programme climate mainstreaming toolkit. Data were collected through document review of state environmental agency mandates, strategic plans, and annual reports, supplemented by structured interviews with senior officials in each agency and climate focal points in state planning ministries. Findings reveal substantial variation across the six states, with Kogi and Plateau states demonstrating the most advanced mainstreaming through dedicated climate units and explicit climate language in environmental agency strategic plans. Niger and Nasarawa states show limited mainstreaming, with climate change treated as a discrete project activity rather than a cross-cutting concern. Common barriers across all states include limited climate data access, insufficient technical expertise, inadequate interagency coordination, and weak budget allocation for adaptation activities. The study identifies a positive association between states that have received sustained donor technical assistance and higher mainstreaming scores. A North Central Regional Climate Mainstreaming Roadmap is proposed, drawing on leading practice from Plateau and Kogi states. Recommendations also address training investment, climate budget tagging systems, and mandatory climate screening of new environmental programmes. Keywords: climate change adaptation, mainstreaming, state environmental agencies, North Central Nigeria, institutional capacity.