Climate Change, Identity Conflicts and the Politics of Cosmopolitanism in Nigeria

Main Article Content

Kialee Nyiayaana
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3734-7684
Kelechi Okoh

Abstract

This article analyses how identity-based conflicts in Nigeria and national policy solutions to these conflicts affect the goals of cosmopolitanism. Cosmopolitanism refers to the idea of an individual defined as a citizen of a single global community. Marxist political economy theory guided the analysis. The article provides insights into the dynamics of indigene-settlers’ claims and contentions, and their causal linkages to climate change and herder-farmer conflicts, and argues that the politicisation of the conflict has implicated national policy solutions in such a way that they result in the devaluation of Nigerian citizenship and discriminatory tendencies that weaken solidarity between ethnic groups. Yet, building stronger ties amongst citizens and groups is a prerequisite for effective collective action against threats posed by climate change. The article concludes that climate solutions and policy responses to identity conflicts must be reconceptualised to re-enter the ideals of cosmopolitanism while recognising indigenous rights and identities.

Article Details

Section
Articles (refereed)
Author Biography

Kialee Nyiayaana, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Department of Political and Administrative Studies,

University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria