By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – Smallholder farmers across Nigeria are increasingly turning to churches and faith leaders for support on climate change adaptation, rather than government institutions, a new study has revealed, highlighting a widening trust gap and serious weaknesses in policy implementation at the grassroots.

The findings point to a growing governance challenge as climate-related shocks intensify in rural communities, threatening food security, livelihoods and social stability, despite the existence of climate change policies at both federal and state levels.

The report was unveiled on Tuesday at the Climate Change Adaptation Programme Consultative Meeting organised by the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) in Abuja.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, was represented at the event by Mrs Ogungboye Adefolarin, Deputy Director, Hydrology, while the OAIC President, Baba Aladura Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo, delivered the opening address.

The study, titled “Strengthening Community Resilience to Climate Change in Delta State”, was presented by Prof. Theophilus O. Odekunle, Professor of Geography at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Covering Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Aniocha South Local Government Areas of Delta State, the research used key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observations and digital data tools to engage farmers, pastoralists, faith leaders and policymakers.

Findings showed that while farmers are highly aware of climate change and its effects, their ability to adapt remains weak due to limited access to information, funding, institutional support and early warning systems.

“Findings show high awareness of climate change among farmers, alongside clear evidence of changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and increased extreme weather events, especially flooding, drought and heat stress,” Odekunle said.

The report noted that most farmers continue to rely on limited and often ineffective coping strategies amid worsening conditions such as unpredictable weather, pest attacks and weak agricultural extension services.

“Despite this awareness, adaptive capacity remains weak: most respondents lack understanding of Early Warning Systems, have little or no access to climate information, funding, or institutional support,” the report stated.

A key finding of the study was the prominent role of faith leaders as trusted first responders and advocates within farming communities, in contrast to a persistent trust deficit between farmers and government institutions.

It also found that while climate policy frameworks exist in Delta State, implementation remains poor, poorly coordinated and largely disconnected from farmers’ needs.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Mrs Adefolarin said climate change is already having far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s water resources, sanitation services, food systems and public health.

“Nigeria is already experiencing these impacts through increased flooding, prolonged droughts, desertification, declining water quality and heightened vulnerability of both rural and urban communities,” she said.

She stressed that the challenge now lies not in policy formulation but in ensuring that climate commitments translate into real action at the community level.

“This reality underscores the urgent need for coherent, inclusive and actionable climate change adaptation policies, policies that are grounded in local contexts, socially responsive and aligned with global best practices,” Adefolarin said.

According to her, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation recognises the strategic value of faith-based institutions, noting their influence, credibility and reach within communities.

“By engaging faith leaders in climate adaptation efforts, we can more effectively raise awareness, encourage behavioural change, mobilise grassroots participation and foster a shared sense of responsibility to protect our water resources and national ecosystems,” she said.

In his opening remarks, OAIC President, Baba Aladura Israel Akinadewo, described climate change as a daily reality confronting farmers, women, youth and coastal communities across Nigeria, saying faith institutions can no longer remain on the sidelines.

“Climate change is no longer a distant scientific concept or a future risk. It is a lived reality confronting our congregations, our rural communities, our farmers, our women, our youth, and our coastal populations every day,” he said.

Akinadewo said OAIC’s climate adaptation programmes in Delta and Akwa Ibom states, supported by OAIC International, have combined faith engagement, community mobilisation and research to strengthen community resilience.

“Our churches are not only places of worship but centres of learning, mobilisation, compassion, and community resilience,” he said.

He called for stronger collaboration with international development partners, stressing that while faith-based institutions have social trust and grassroots networks, scaling climate adaptation efforts requires sustained technical and financial support.

“The scale of the climate challenge far exceeds the capacity of any single organisation, faith body, or national institution. International solidarity and collaboration are essential,” Akinadewo said.

The Delta State study recommended improved access to climate information and funding, the establishment of functional early warning systems, stronger extension services and the expansion of OAIC-led Social Accountability Forums to bridge the gap between policy and practice.

Participants at the meeting agreed that without urgent action to address implementation gaps and rebuild trust between farmers and government, climate impacts could further undermine food security, deepen rural poverty and increase social and political pressure nationwide.