Shadrach Adams Brandford, Johnson U. Agbo, John Moses Maikomo

Keywords: Masculinity, livelihood, climate change, Lake Chad Basin, gender inequality

Abstract

This study examines how climate-induced insecurity is eroding the economic and social power of male-breadwinners in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin; thereby reshaping gender identities and undermining economic and social rights. Drawing on mixed-methods research across three Local Government Areas: Monguno, Marte and Kukawa/Baga in Borno State, Nigeria, the study combines 400 household surveys with 20 in-depth interviews to analyze the intersection of climate-induced insecurity and masculinity. Findings reveal a measurable fracture of the male-breadwinner identity, with 63% of
respondents perceiving its collapse. Logistic regression shows that age and
education significantly shape these perceptions, while gender does not.
However, the lived experience of livelihood collapse is deeply gendered:
women are significantly more likely to assume increased economic responsibilities without corresponding decision-making authority. The study
conceptualizes this pattern as “feminization of responsibility without
feminization of authority,” reflecting a structural gender imbalance. Situating
these findings within the framework of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the study concludes that
the erosion of livelihoods for male-breadwinners constitutes violations of the rights to work, adequate standard of living, and social security, while also
reinforcing gender inequality. The study recommends a rights-based
approach to livelihood recovery that integrates gender-transformative
strategies and masculinity re-engagement, while acknowledging constraints of state capacity in conflict-affected settings.

Author Biography

Shadrach Adams Brandford

Social Sciences Unit, Department of General Studies, Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba State, Nigeria

Email: [email protected]

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9383-7170

Johnson U. Agbo

Department Political Science, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

John Moses Maikomo

Department of Political Science, Taraba State University Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

View PDF