Understanding the role of social networks in climate adaptation and mitigation among Nigerian smallholder farmers: A scoping review

Climate change poses a significant threat to the sustainability of smallholder farming systems in Nigeria, intensifying food insecurity, reducing productivity, and weakening rural livelihoods. As a result, adaptive and mitigative responses have become increasingly vital for smallholder farmers. This study employed a scoping review approach to examine how social networks influence the climate adaptation and mitigation strategies of smallholder farmers across Nigeria. A total of 62 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 were analyzed to identify methodological trends, conceptual frameworks, network typologies, and research gaps. The review shows a growing body of literature on the topic, with publication output rising steadily, especially after 2010. Most studies were concentrated in the southwestern, north-central, and southeastern regions of Nigeria, with limited research conducted in climate-vulnerable zones such as the northeast. Findings reveal that social networks—both bonding ties (e.g., kinship, community groups) and bridging ties (e.g., NGOs, extension agents)—play critical roles in disseminating information, facilitating innovation adoption, and enabling collective action. However, there remains limited attention to gender, youth inclusion, digital network transformations, and power asymmetries within networks. To build socially embedded climate resilience, Nigerian and African researchers must deepen inquiry into informal networks and develop inclusive, context-sensitive adaptation and mitigation strategies.