Addressing resource conflicts and climate change impact in Fiidi, Nigeria

In the heart of Benue State, Nigeria, a remarkable transformation is unfolding. The Jukun and Tiv tribes, long divided by conflicts over land and limited natural resources, are writing a new chapter of unity and shared prosperity. 

Leaders of the Jukun and Tiv tribes, previously torn by resource conflicts, show a symbolic gesture of peace
Leaders of the Jukun and Tiv tribes showing a symbolic gesture of peace. Photo: International Alert Nigeria.

For generations, these two communities lived side by side, yet worlds apart. For Jukuns, harvesting, smoking and selling fish to other communities was fundamental to sustaining their livelihoods. Tivs, in turn, relied on land and water from the rivers and ponds to cultivate crops and raise small livestock and cattle.   

Disputes over access to land and water had regularly turned violent, underpinned by issues of identity and justice. Climate change was increasing these stresses and worsening resource conflicts. Cutting trees to power fish smoking ovens threatened the local ecosystem and made the remaining shared resources more scarce. However, the growing and shared issues brought about by climate change also gave an opportunity for dialogue and empowerment. 

The context of our project 

Experiences of local communities in Fiidi capture how climate change and conflict connect in people’s day-to-day lives. But feeling these pressures most acutely is no guarantee of receiving enough support to tackle these intertwined issues.  

Nigeria is listed among 19 countries in fragile and conflict-affected situations that are also most vulnerable to climate-related impacts. Meanwhile, less than 1% of global climate adaptation funding reaches such places – and even when it does, many programmes are too often without properly including the communities they affect. This risks adopting approaches that won’t work and could even worsen existing conflicts and vulnerability.  

However, there are ways to break this vicious cycle and progress with climate action, even in challenging contexts, in a way that does not fail those who need it most. Our “Powering peace through climate action” project proved that dialogue and ultimately positive agreement over long-standing and worsening conflicts over resources is possible and can play a major role in local climate adaptation efforts. 

Within this project, Tivs and Jukuns tapped into the potential of peacebuilding approaches and received climate financing designed explicitly for conflict-affected communities, thanks to the essential support from Irish Aid, guidance from International Alert and local community-based organisations. 

How we managed to power peace through climate action in Nigeria 

In Fiidi, three pillars underpinned our success.  

  • First, we set up the project in a way which reflects tensions and conflict risks and responds flexibly to them. We brought communities together for dialogue and training sessions where everyone would feel safe to voice their concerns, discuss their grievances, and identify the root causes of their everyday challenges. 
  • Second, we supported Jukuns and Tivs in taking the lead role in designing and deciding what they most need, in an inclusive way. As a result of these dialogue forums, communities put together their local adaptation plans with concrete ideas on what to use their climate funding for. 
  • Third, we provided essential knowledge, skills and resources for communities to put their climate adaptation projects into action. For example, we taught farmers to use data from solar-powered weather stations we installed to predict rainfall and choose which crops to plant for better yield. 

Our experience shows that a peacebuilding approach to climate action and finance opens up immense opportunities for positive change in vulnerable communities caught up in the climate and conflict conundrum.  

Integrating peacebuilding with climate action to address resource conflicts: what are the results?

Now, the two tribes are mastering sustainable agriculture and innovative farming techniques. They have also agreed on a shared plan for using limited resources and generating stable employment opportunities and income.  

Members of the Jukun and Tiv tribes, previously torn by resource conflicts, discuss joint plan for reconciliation and climate adaptation in Fiidi, Nigeria
Members of the Jukun and Tiv communities discuss their joint peace and climate adaptation plan at a dedicated workshop in August 2023. Photo: International Alert Nigeria.

The transformation was not just social but economic. To implement their shared plan, the communities received climate adaptation funding. A small factory rose from the ground, turning agricultural waste such as maize stalks and rice chaff into eco-friendly charcoal briquettes. Fish smoking ovens, now fueled by this charcoal instead of wood, began producing a prized commodity. New collapsible fishponds, carefully situated on agreed sites, became symbols of cooperation rather than contention. 

Members of the community demonstrate how they are using collapsible fishponds. Photo: International Alert Nigeria.

With sustainable charcoal production ramping up, increased sales to nearby communities once again offered economic opportunity. The Tivs and Jukuns celebrated their first joint harvest of fish as a testament to their collective efforts.  

Members of the community demonstrate charcoal briquettes they have produced. Photo: International Alert Nigeria.

Underpinning this success, the Tiv and Jukun leaders established and registered a new cooperative with the Benue State Ministry of Rural Development. The cooperative coordinates market access to enhance bargaining power and manages income streams to sustain future initiatives.  

Member of the Fiidi cooperative showing the smoked fish by the newly installed fish kilns powered by eco-friendly charcoal briquettes. Photo: International Alert Nigeria.

A historic peace agreement  

Tivs and Jukuns have also recently marked a significant milestone towards reaffirming lasting peace. In September 2024, they signed a historic peace agreement, celebrating their joint commitment to resolve conflicts without violence. Ogba, Ologba and Ekaida communities in Agatu Local Government Area, where we also intervened as part of this project, secured a similar agreement. Both agreements result from long negotiations we facilitated with Kende Avese Foundation, Angel Support Foundation and the Benue State Peace Commission. 

Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, Alert’s Country Director for Nigeria, said:

These agreements are a testament to the significant social transformations and shared positive impacts that transparent, participatory and inclusive approaches can enable in communities affected by conflict.

This is more than a story of resource management. By empowering communities to take the lead on their peace and adaptation efforts, Fiidi’s example is a reminder that despite historical divisions, resource conflicts and environmental pressures, there is always a path to unity.  

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