Access to Basic Services Amid Climate, Conflict, and Displacement in Northwest Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The Northwest region of Nigeria is increasingly experiencing the compounded effects of climate change, protracted insecurity, and displacement, all of which are placing immense strain on basic services and community resilience. In recent years, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, flooding, and drought have intensified existing vulnerabilities, disrupting education, health services, and community protection mechanisms . These climate shocks have intersected with long-standing socio-economic and security challenges, leading to increased school dropout rates, poor health outcomes, and rising protection risks, particularly for women, girls, and displaced populations.

While communities across states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina report the presence of schools, health facilities, and protection systems, access to and functionality of these services remain inconsistent and often unreliable. Households in hard-to-reach, conflict-affected, and recently displaced areas face greater barriers, including economic hardship, long travel distances, insecurity, and limited social support structures. The impacts are especially severe for out-of-school children, pregnant women, adolescent girls, and people with disabilities, groups that require inclusive, localised, and climate responsive programming.

This factsheet presents key findings on the state of education, health, and protection in climate-affected communities across Northwest Nigeria, providing evidence to shape inclusive policies and sustainable service delivery models.