BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN NIGERIA’S URBAN INFORMAL SECTOR

Abstract

The informal sector serves as a critical economic foundation for millions of
Nigerians, contributing significantly to employment, accounting for 58.2% of GDP, and shaping
communities. In Nigeria's urban areas, informal sector operators (ISOs) face increasing challenges
due to rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns linked to climate change. Leveraging
the creativity and experience of ISOs is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies.
This paper adopts a policy advocacy perspective to examine approaches for fostering climate
resilience within the informal sector of Nigerian cities. It specifically explores the unique impacts
of climate change on the informal sector, documents experiences from selected cities, and presents
inclusive strategies for strengthening resilience and integrating the informal sector into broader
urban climate adaptation frameworks through desk research. The study finds that both the 2021
National Climate Change Policy Document and the 2020 National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
framework of the Federal Republic of Nigeria lack dedicated sections addressing the informal
sector, particularly the urban informal sector. Revising the existing NAP through robust
stakeholder engagement can ensure that the local knowledge, creativity, and resourcefulness of
informal sector participants are fully utilized. Innovative, tailored solutions are necessary to
address climate change and related environmental challenges in Nigeria. Enhancing the resilience
of the urban informal sector to climate change is imperative for creating sustainable urban
environments and maximizing the sector’s role in poverty alleviation.