A Theoretical Framework for Adaptive Governance of Transboundary Inland Fisheries in the Niger-Benue River System

This research develops an original theoretical framework for the adaptive governance of transboundary inland fisheries in the Niger-Benue river system, spanning multiple states in Nigeria's North Central and South South zones. Transboundary fisheries present persistent governance challenges that single-jurisdiction management frameworks cannot resolve, and the literature lacks Nigeria-specific theoretical models that integrate ecological dynamics, institutional pluralism, and adaptive management principles. Drawing on polycentric governance theory, social-ecological systems analysis, and deliberative democracy frameworks, this study constructs a context-specific theoretical architecture validated through expert elicitation, document analysis, and field-based case study research across eight river communities in Kogi, Niger, Delta, and Anambra states. Structured expert consultations with fisheries scientists, policy makers, and community leaders were conducted to evaluate theoretical propositions. Results from case studies demonstrated that governance systems with multiple overlapping institutional nodes, including federal agencies, state fisheries departments, traditional institutions, and fisher cooperatives, achieved more resilient management outcomes than systems characterised by single-authority control. The framework identifies six critical governance functions, namely boundary management, rule adaptation, monitoring, conflict resolution, resource mobilisation, and knowledge integration, and proposes nested institutional arrangements for their delivery across the transboundary system. The theoretical contribution lies in the original proposition that adaptive governance capacity is maximised at the interface of institutional pluralism and ecological connectivity, a relationship not previously formalised for Nigerian inland fisheries. The framework provides a policy-applicable blueprint for transboundary fisheries management reform in Nigeria. Keywords: adaptive governance, transboundary fisheries, Niger-Benue system, theoretical framework, polycentric institutions