Climate Change Governance and Adaptive Policy Responses in Kebbi State

This study analyses the governance arrangements for climate change adaptation in Kebbi State, examining whether institutional structures, policy frameworks, and intergovernmental coordination mechanisms are adequate to address the agricultural and livelihood impacts of climate variability experienced by farming communities in the North West geopolitical zone. Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of droughts, irregular rainfall, and flooding events in north-western Nigeria, directly threatening smallholder agricultural systems that sustain the livelihoods of the majority of Kebbi State's population. Using a qualitative design combining document analysis with interviews conducted among state environmental officials, agricultural extension officers, farmer cooperative leaders, and representatives of development partner organisations engaged in climate adaptation programming, the study maps the governance landscape for climate policy and identifies coordination failures. The polycentric governance theory and the adaptive governance framework are applied to evaluate institutional arrangements. Findings reveal that climate change adaptation in Kebbi State is characterised by fragmented institutional responsibilities spread across multiple state ministries without a lead coordinating authority, dependence on externally funded project-based interventions rather than mainstreamed state policy, and limited integration between federal climate commitments and state agricultural policy planning. Farmer communities report receiving inadequate early warning information and lack access to drought-resistant crop varieties that would reduce vulnerability. Recommendations include a state-level climate adaptation authority, mandatory climate risk mainstreaming in state budgets, and community-based climate resilience platforms with direct communication links to national meteorological services. Keywords: climate change governance, adaptive policy, Kebbi State, North West Nigeria, agricultural adaptation