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

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.