Impact of Climate Change Extremes on the Socioeconomic Wellbeing of Households in Doma LGA, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Climate change continues to pose a significant threat to the socioeconomic welfare of families in rural Nigeria, especially within the Doma Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa State. This research investigates the effects of extreme climatic change on the socioeconomic welfare of households in Doma LGA. The information gathered from household surveys, field observations, and interviews with key informants was utilised to assess the effects of climate change. Employing a mixed-methods strategy with a cohort of 1,123 households to collect primary data. The quantitative data was inputted into Microsoft Excel 2010 and the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 16 software. The findings were further illustrated through tables, graphs, and charts, and Pearson's Chi-square (χ²) test of independence was utilised for each cross-tabulated table to ascertain if the observed relationships between variables are statistically significant. Cramér's V was calculated as an indicator of impact size (degree of connection). Cross-tabulation was used to analyse the combined distribution of essential demographic, socioeconomic, and hazard-related factors across the three research sites — Alagye, Agbashi, and Akpanaja — in Doma LGA. The results indicate that extreme climate change phenomena, such as erratic precipitation and rising temperatures, considerably diminish agricultural output, lower household earnings, escalate poverty rates, and foster food insecurity. The research highlights essential elements such as household gender, age, occupation, income, and educational attainment as pivotal influences on household resilience to climate-related adversities. The findings indicate that the repercussions of climate change influence the socioeconomic welfare of households. This study offers empirically supported suggestions for policymakers and development professionals to create focused strategies that enhance household resilience to climate fluctuations in Doma LGA, Nigeria.

Climate change, extremes, socioeconomic wellbeing, household resilience

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