Climatic disasters and trans-national migration practices: indigenous people’s ontological perceptions in Nigeria

In this article, we examined climate-related disasters through the lens of trans-local and national mobility practices. We do this by focusing on the lived realities of two Indigenous communities in Nigeria. Although there is growing recognition of the complex relationship between climate change and migration, there remains a significant gap in understanding Indigenous perspectives on climate change-enhanced natural hazards and disasters [CCENHD]. This study addresses this by examining Indigenous peoples’ perspectives on vulnerabilities across generations, including the complexities of place awareness and community positionality, as well as the impact of shifting onsetting events on the migration practices of Indigenous local populations. We employed innovative qualitative methods, such as photovoice, videography, and life history interviews, to explore their responses to the physical threat posed by climate change shocks and to examine how these vulnerable Indigenous communities’ recognition of their positionality impacts their livelihood aspirations and mobility intentions. Findings highlight changing generational perceptions of climate vulnerability across temporal shifts, contributing to understanding the pluralisation of Indigenous perspectives on the climatic disaster-migration nexus. The study recommends a targeted and inclusive policy on climate adaptation investment in Indigenous local communities.