Understanding the Question:

The question is asking whether the ongoing conflict in North Central Nigeria (also known as the Middle Belt) is primarily caused by adverse climatic changes or if it is driven by an expansionist agenda. Let's break down the key elements of the question:

North Central Nigeria (Middle Belt) Conflict:

This refers to the violent clashes and unrest that have been occurring in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, an area known for its ethnic and religious diversity. The conflicts often involve farmers and herders, but other groups are also affected.

Adverse Climatic Change:

Adverse Climatic Change in this context refers to negative environmental changes such as desertification, drought, and changes in rainfall patterns. The question is probing whether these environmental challenges are the primary drivers of the conflict. For example, if herders are moving southward due to desertification in the north, leading to competition over land and resources with farmers, this would be a conflict driven by climatic change.

Expansionist Agenda:

An Expansionist Agenda suggests that the conflict might be driven by a deliberate attempt by one group to expand its territory, influence, or control over another group’s land. This could involve religious, ethnic, or political motivations, where the conflict is seen as a means of domination rather than just a reaction to environmental changes.

Purpose of the Question:

The question is designed to encourage critical thinking about the root causes of the conflict in the Middle Belt. It asks the responder to consider whether the violence is primarily a consequence of environmental factors or if it is driven by more strategic and possibly ideological goals. The question also invites exploration of the possibility that both factors might be at play, either separately or intertwined.

Contextual Consideration:

To answer the question thoroughly, one would need to consider historical, environmental, socio-political, and economic contexts. It’s important to evaluate how climate change might be exacerbating existing tensions or whether claims of an expansionist agenda are supported by evidence.