Nigeria has launched its first-ever National Household Survey on climate change, with a dedicated gender dimension, co-led by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The initiative represents a major step in strengthening the country’s climate governance and evidence base.
The survey is an initiative of the Gender Inclusive Climate Change Governance (GENCGOV) research programme, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
It was hosted at the University of Bradford, and delivered in collaboration with academic, government, research and civil society partners across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Key partners in Nigeria include the Environmental Law Research Institute (ELRI), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Nigeria), Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI Nigeria), and the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN).
Speaking at the launch of the survey, Associate Professor at the University of Bradford and Principal Investigator of GENCGOV, Dr Pedi Obani, noted that “without gender-disaggregated data, climate policy is flying blind”.
“This groundbreaking national survey marks a major step toward inclusive, evidence-based climate governance in Nigeria by generating critical insights into how climate change affects women and men differently across diverse climatic zones.
“The findings will help shift climate governance from broad assumptions to inclusive, data-driven action.
“It will equip policymakers with the tools to design more responsive and equitable climate policies, strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in gender-responsive climate governance, and amplify the country’s credibility and influence in global climate negotiations.
“At GENCGOV, we believe that climate governance must be inclusive by design. When women and marginalised groups are visible in the data, they become visible in policy, and that leads to stronger institutions, more resilient communities, and better climate outcomes for everyone”, he added.
On his part, Executive Director of Environmental Law Research Institute (ELRI), Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun (SAN) said: “The inauguration of Nigeria’s first National Household Survey on climate change is a watershed moment in building a more resilient, equitable and climate-just future.
“By embedding gender-disaggregated and intersectional evidence into national climate research, the GenCGov programme, in collaboration with the University of Bradford, local partners and the National Bureau of Statistics, is helping to ensure that climate policy is grounded in the lived realities of households and communities.
“This survey will support national and state governments to move beyond generic adaptation measures towards data-driven, gender-responsive interventions that reflect local vulnerabilities and priorities.
“As the findings are presented at the GenCGov International Conference in Abuja in June 2026, the evidence generated will strengthen inclusive climate governance and support policies that leave no community invisible.”
The Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NBS, Mr Adeniran Adeyemi, said: “The National Bureau of Statistics is proud to implement Nigeria’s first National Household Survey on Climate Change.
“Reliable, inclusive data are essential for effective policymaking, particularly in addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change.
“This survey will provide critical evidence on how climate change affects households differently across the country and will support the design of responsive, evidence-based, and gender-sensitive policies and interventions for sustainable development.”
Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, said: “A gender-disaggregated approach isn’t about dividing the issue. It’s about seeing the full picture so solutions reach the people most affected and leverage the roles everyone already plays.
“We call on policymakers, civil society, and researchers to use this data to design climate programs that are targeted, effective, and equitable.
”The survey findings will be presented at the GENCGOV International Conference scheduled for 23 – 24 June 2026 in Abuja.
“The conference will position Nigeria as a continental leader in pioneering these solutions by bringing together leading academics, policymakers, civil society leaders, and grassroots innovators from across Africa and around the world to translate research into actionable, gender-responsive climate policy”, he said.
GENCGOV, the Gender Inclusive Climate Change Governance project, is a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) programme led by Dr Pedi Obani at the University of Bradford, and delivered in partnership with organisations across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
