DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN ATTAINING FOOD SECURITY: A CASE STUDY OF BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Climate change is part of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, with its adverse effects felt across the globe through increase in temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increasing incidences of extreme weather events. These changes pose serious threats to food security, livelihoods, and sustainable development. In regions like Benin City (Edo State, Nigeria), climate-induced flooding and other extreme events have undermined food availability and lead to food security. This study examines determinants of adopting climate change adaptation strategies for food security in Benin City. A structured Likert-scale questionnaire was distributed to one hundred and fifty (150) respondents using google form and the data collected was subjected to descriptive and correlation statistics using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) . The results showed low awareness of climate change impacts on food security. Correlation analysis revealed moderate positive relationships between awareness to climate change and socio-demographic factors which is statistically significant (r = 0.373, p = 0.000<0.05) and between awareness to climate change and socio-cultural influences which is also statistically significant (r = 0.380, p = 0.000<0.05). However, the study also identified barriers such as inadequate institutional support, limited access to finance, and weak infrastructural capacity as key challenges limiting effective responses. It was concluded that although local communities in Benin City demonstrate resilience through livelihood diversification, their capacity to adapt remains constrained without coordinated government intervention and broader policy support. The study recommends the introduction of climate change awareness into educational and extension programmes, the promotion of renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices, improved access to climate information, investment in sustainable agricultural practices, and stronger collaboration between government agencies, private actors, and civil society in order to enhance adaptive capacity and safeguard livelihoods.