Abstract

As part of a project on Governing Climate Innovation in Africa, this paper examines Nigeria’s climate adaptation innovation architecture. Through comprehensive doctrinal and desk research, it explores the key laws, policies, institutions and initiatives shaping the country’s adaptation responses to climate change. The paper underscores the intersections of climate adaptation innovation and intellectual property rights in the context of Nigerian realities and presents notable case studies from the food and agricultural sectors: Rotimi Williams (Kereksuk Rice Farm and Resolute 4.0) and Babajide Oluwase (Ecotutu). The paper is structured around three primary objectives. First, it maps the legal and policy frameworks governing climate change in Nigeria, addressing international commitments alongside regional and national instruments. Second, it analyses the selected climate adaptation innovations, unpacking their contributions and interrogating the role that intellectual property rights currently play or could potentially play in enhancing these innovations. Third, it offers strategic recommendations to strengthen climate adaptation in Nigeria, including adopting a joined-up approach to ensure coherence across laws and policies, as well as introducing supportive legal and non-legal measures to build a resilient and sustainable climate innovation ecosystem in Nigeria.