Climate Change Adaptation Strategies at the Local Government Level in Yobe State: A Study of Potiskum Local Government Area

This study explores climate change adaptation strategies being implemented or required at the local government level in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State, in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Communities in Yobe State are highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards including desertification, drought, erratic rainfall, and flooding, which threaten agricultural livelihoods, water supply, and community security. Local governments are the closest administrative units to affected populations yet possess limited technical and financial capacity to respond effectively to climate risks. Using a descriptive survey design, primary data is gathered from 160 respondents including local government environment officers, farmers, community leaders, and representatives of state emergency management agencies. The Climate Vulnerability Framework and the Adaptive Capacity Model inform the conceptual structure of the study. Secondary data includes Yobe State Environmental Sanitation Authority reports, NEMA publications, and recent academic literature on climate adaptation in semi-arid Nigeria. Data analysis employs descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings are expected to reveal a significant gap between existing local government environmental policies and the practical adaptation needs of vulnerable communities. Recommendations include capacity building for local environmental officers, integration of climate risk mapping into local development plans, and establishment of community-based early warning systems in Potiskum. Keywords: Climate change adaptation, local government, Potiskum, Yobe State, vulnerability.