The 64th Annual National Conference of the Association of Nigeria Geographers convened in Abuja from October 13-19, 2024, focusing on “Environmental Disaster, Risk Management, Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”
A notable presentation at this conference was titled “Independent Decision-Making by Pastoralist Women towards Enhancing Sustainable Pastoral Livelihood in Bauchi and Gombe States of Northern Nigeria,” delivered by two members of the CPED SPARC project research team, Dr. (Mrs.) Verere Sido Balogun and Dr. Johnson Egbemudia Dudu
The research methodology employed the Livelihood Sustainability Approach (LSA), encompassing a comprehensive survey of 2,290 adult female household members across six Local Government Areas in Bauchi and Gombe States. This study was conducted as part of the broader SPARC (Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises) project, demonstrating a systematic approach to understanding women’s roles in pastoral communities.
The findings revealed interesting patterns in women’s decision-making capabilities within pastoral households. While the research indicated that women’s input in livestock decisions could potentially improve economic sustainability, there was no consistent pattern in their independent decision-making abilities. Notably, women with higher education levels, better income, and more advanced age showed greater involvement in decision-making processes. The study also found that widowed or separated women experienced more freedom in making independent decisions.
To ensure long-term impact, the project implemented robust sustainability measures through a three-tier committee structure: Project Steering Committees comprising policy makers at the state level, Management Committees at the Local Government Level, and Community Project Implementation Committees (CPICs). These committees oversee various intervention and community initiatives being implemented by the project team, including establishment of Village Savings and Loans Associations, building local capacity on Gender and Advocacy Skills, while state governments have begun scaling up the project’s recommendations.
The project’s impact has been substantial and multifaceted. It has led to the establishment of active cooperatives across six Local Government Areas, significantly improving women’s access to financial resources through revolving repayment loans. This enhanced financial capability has strengthened women’s positions within their communities, leading to greater recognition in community affairs. Perhaps most notably, the project has catalyzed positive changes in gender dynamics, including the encouraging development of men’s increased participation in domestic responsibilities.
No doubt, Dr. Verere and Dr. Dudu presentation demonstrated how the CPED SPARC project is successfully making significant strides in empowering women pastoralists in Northern Nigeria. The initiative’s comprehensive approach, combining research with practical interventions and strong sustainability measures, provides a valuable model for similar development projects in challenging contexts.
Another great presentation made at the conference by CPED SPARC project team was the comprehensive study on “Women’s Participation in Agriculture and Livestock Production in Nigeria’s Sahel Region” presented by Dr. (Mrs.) Rebecca O. John-Abebe and Emeritus Professor Andrew G. Onokerhoraye. The research, which surveyed 2,290 female respondents across Bauchi and Gombe States, revealed that despite women constituting 43% of the global agricultural labor force, they face significant challenges. These include limited access to land ownership, credit facilities, and productive inputs, with the North-East zone showing particular disparities. The study shows that women primarily engage in food crop production and small livestock management (chickens, goats, pigs, rabbits, and sheep), while spending considerable time on domestic activities, with water collection taking over 30 minutes in dry seasons and firewood collection exceeding 4 hours.
The study identified a notable gender productivity gap of 4% in Northern Nigeria compared to 24% in Southern Nigeria, highlighting regional variations in agricultural engagement. Women’s coping strategies included premature harvesting (32%), livestock relocation (23%), and minimal participation in sharecropping (6%). The need for transformative approaches, recommending gender-responsive policies, improved access to high-value agricultural chains, and cultural norm sensitization was emphasized during the presentation. The presentation concluded that addressing both structural barriers and socio-cultural norms is crucial for enhancing women’s productive capacity in the agricultural sector, with particular emphasis on education and empowerment of women and girls in the northeast region.
Although there were some significant challenges in implementing this research, particularly regarding security concerns in Northeast Nigeria, however, project team developed effective solutions through a multi-layered approach, including security tracking systems, community involvement in security networks, and strong collaboration with local police. Cultural and religious considerations were carefully addressed through a gradual, community-friendly methodology, with intentional inclusion of 25% male participation across the study areas.
