Abstract

The Lake Chad Basin, a critical transboundary ecosystem spanning Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, faces severe environmental degradation driven by climate-induced variability, water scarcity, and unsustainable land use. These pressures threaten livelihoods dependent on agriculture, fisheries, and pastoralism, exacerbating social instability through resource conflicts, displacement, and the rise of extremist groups like Boko Haram. This article explores the nexus between environmental management and social stability, emphasizing eco-governance—integrated policies and institutional frameworks that promote sustainable resource use and equity—as a pathway to peace. It argues that resource scarcity intensifies competition, fueling tensions in an already fragile region, while effective environmental management can mitigate these conflicts by ensuring equitable access and resilience. The study reviews existing frameworks, such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and highlights their successes and limitations in addressing transboundary challenges. Drawing on recent literature and qualitative analysis, it proposes sustainable policies, including collaborative governance, climate adaptation, and community empowerment, to transform environmental challenges into opportunities for cooperation. The transboundary nature of the basin necessitates coordinated efforts among the four nations, supported by regional and international actors. The article concludes that robust eco-governance can foster social stability and peacebuilding by addressing the root causes of conflict, offering a model for other resource-stressed regions.

Keywords: Eco-governance, Environmental Degradation, Lake Chad Basin, Social Stability, Peacebuilding