Nigeria has officially launched its first National Household Survey on Climate Change, marking a significant step toward enhancing climate governance through data-driven and gender-responsive policymaking. The initiative, co-led by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), aims to generate nationally representative data on how climate change impacts households across the country's five climatic zones, with a strong emphasis on gender and social inclusion.
Survey Details and Timeline
The survey is scheduled to run from May 14 to 21, 2026, and forms a key component of the Gender Inclusive Climate Change Governance (GENCGOV) research programme. This programme is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and implemented in collaboration with partners in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Expert Insights on Gender Data
Speaking at the launch, Associate Professor at the University of Bradford and Principal Investigator of GENCGOV, Dr Pedi Obani, underscored the critical role of gender-disaggregated data in climate policymaking. "Without gender-disaggregated data, climate policy is flying blind," she stated. "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." Dr Obani noted that the findings would help policymakers move away from broad assumptions and adopt more inclusive, data-driven approaches. She added that the survey would strengthen Nigeria's leadership in gender-responsive climate governance and enhance its credibility in global climate negotiations.
Watershed Moment for Nigeria
Executive Director of the Environmental Law Research Institute (ELRI), Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun (SAN), described the initiative as a "watershed moment" for Nigeria. "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," he said. Prof. Fagbohun emphasized that integrating gender-disaggregated and intersectional data into climate research would ensure that policies reflect the realities faced by 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," he added. He further noted that the survey findings would be presented at the GENCGOV International Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Abuja.
Role of National Bureau of Statistics
The Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NBS, Mr Adeniran Adeyemi, highlighted the importance of reliable and inclusive data for effective policymaking. "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," he said. Mr Adeyemi explained that the survey would provide critical evidence on how climate change affects households differently and support the development of responsive and gender-sensitive policies for sustainable development.
Stakeholder Endorsement
Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, also stressed the importance of the survey's gender-focused approach. He commended the initiative for prioritizing gender considerations in climate data collection, which he said would lead to more equitable outcomes.
