ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN KADUNA NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Purpose: This study assessed household vulnerability to climate change in Kaduna North Senatorial District, comprising eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kaduna State. The aim was to identify vulnerability patterns across LGAs and the key socioeconomic and infrastructural factors influencing adaptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach: Primary data were obtained through 385 structured questionnaires administered to household heads across two communities in the selected LGAs using simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socioeconomic characteristics, while a vulnerability index was computed from normalized values of 20 indicators categorized under exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Indicators were scaled between 0 and 1 based on their functional relationship to vulnerability.

Findings: The analysis revealed that Soba LGA (0.662) was the most vulnerable, followed by Kubau (0.641) and Kudan (0.525) respectively while Zaria (0.325) and Sabon Gari (0.299) were less vulnerable due to better access to infrastructure and essential services. Communities characterized by low literacy, poor access to agricultural inputs, inadequate healthcare and veterinary services, and long distances to markets and credit facilities exhibited higher vulnerability to climate impacts.

Research limitations/implications: The study relied on household-level cross-sectional data. Broader longitudinal studies incorporating additional environmental and institutional indicators could provide deeper insights.

Practical implications: Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in LGAs with moderate to high vulnerability, focusing on improving education, agricultural input distribution, healthcare, market access, and credit facilities.

Originality/value: The study contributes empirical evidence on household vulnerability using a structured index approach and provides actionable insights for policy and climate adaptation planning in northern Nigeria.