Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria

Yohanna John Alhassan; Tsukutoda Israel Istifanus; Cuba James

doi:doi:10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11

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Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria

Yohanna John Alhassan^*

, Tsukutoda Israel Istifanus, Cuba James

Published in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Volume 11, Issue 3)

Received: 10 March 2026 Accepted: 27 July 2026 Published: 17 August 2026

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Abstract

This study examined the barriers to livelihood diversification and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams. A cross-sectional survey of 300 fishers across 50 villages was conducted, with data analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI). Economic constraints high cost of fishing gear (72.0%), limited access to credit (72.7%), and inadequate operating capital (71.0%) were the most severe factors affecting livelihoods. Institutional challenges, including limited extension services (52.7%) and inadequate training (49.0%), alongside environmental stressors such as seasonal water-level fluctuations (36.3%) and climate variability (36.3%), also influenced outcomes. EFA identified Economic Welfare (Factor 1), comprising fishing income (0.82), income from other activities (0.79), and household expenditure (0.75), as the most influential determinant of well-being. Access to services (Factor 2), Food Security (Factor 3), and Asset Ownership (Factor 4) further shaped household welfare. Livelihood diversification was high (SDI = 0.955), dominated by arable farming (59.3%), poultry (50.2%), and livestock (45.9%) and supplemented by petty trading, night guarding, and small-scale processing. The study concludes that diversified livelihoods help households mitigate risks from declining fish stocks and environmental variability. Policy interventions promoting financial inclusion, access to affordable inputs, institutional support, and market development are essential for sustaining welfare and fostering resilient artisanal fisheries.

Published in	Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Volume 11, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11
Page(s)	41-50
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Artisanal Fisheries, Barriers, Livelihood Diversification, Simpson Diversification Index, Household Welfare, Shiroro and Kainji Dams

References

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APA Style

Alhassan, Y. J., Istifanus, T. I., James, C. (2026). Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 11(3), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11

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ACS Style

Alhassan, Y. J.; Istifanus, T. I.; James, C. Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria. Ecol. Evol. Biol. 2026, 11(3), 41-50. doi: 10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11

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AMA Style

Alhassan YJ, Istifanus TI, James C. Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria. Ecol Evol Biol. 2026;11(3):41-50. doi: 10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11

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@article{10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11,
  author = {Yohanna John Alhassan and Tsukutoda Israel Istifanus and Cuba James},
  title = {Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria},
  journal = {Ecology and Evolutionary Biology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {41-50},
  doi = {10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.eeb.20261103.11},
  abstract = {This study examined the barriers to livelihood diversification and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams. A cross-sectional survey of 300 fishers across 50 villages was conducted, with data analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI). Economic constraints high cost of fishing gear (72.0%), limited access to credit (72.7%), and inadequate operating capital (71.0%) were the most severe factors affecting livelihoods. Institutional challenges, including limited extension services (52.7%) and inadequate training (49.0%), alongside environmental stressors such as seasonal water-level fluctuations (36.3%) and climate variability (36.3%), also influenced outcomes. EFA identified Economic Welfare (Factor 1), comprising fishing income (0.82), income from other activities (0.79), and household expenditure (0.75), as the most influential determinant of well-being. Access to services (Factor 2), Food Security (Factor 3), and Asset Ownership (Factor 4) further shaped household welfare. Livelihood diversification was high (SDI = 0.955), dominated by arable farming (59.3%), poultry (50.2%), and livestock (45.9%) and supplemented by petty trading, night guarding, and small-scale processing. The study concludes that diversified livelihoods help households mitigate risks from declining fish stocks and environmental variability. Policy interventions promoting financial inclusion, access to affordable inputs, institutional support, and market development are essential for sustaining welfare and fostering resilient artisanal fisheries.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria
AU  - Yohanna John Alhassan
AU  - Tsukutoda Israel Istifanus
AU  - Cuba James
Y1  - 2026/08/17
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11
T2  - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
JF  - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
JO  - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
SP  - 41
EP  - 50
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3762
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11
AB  - This study examined the barriers to livelihood diversification and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams. A cross-sectional survey of 300 fishers across 50 villages was conducted, with data analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI). Economic constraints high cost of fishing gear (72.0%), limited access to credit (72.7%), and inadequate operating capital (71.0%) were the most severe factors affecting livelihoods. Institutional challenges, including limited extension services (52.7%) and inadequate training (49.0%), alongside environmental stressors such as seasonal water-level fluctuations (36.3%) and climate variability (36.3%), also influenced outcomes. EFA identified Economic Welfare (Factor 1), comprising fishing income (0.82), income from other activities (0.79), and household expenditure (0.75), as the most influential determinant of well-being. Access to services (Factor 2), Food Security (Factor 3), and Asset Ownership (Factor 4) further shaped household welfare. Livelihood diversification was high (SDI = 0.955), dominated by arable farming (59.3%), poultry (50.2%), and livestock (45.9%) and supplemented by petty trading, night guarding, and small-scale processing. The study concludes that diversified livelihoods help households mitigate risks from declining fish stocks and environmental variability. Policy interventions promoting financial inclusion, access to affordable inputs, institutional support, and market development are essential for sustaining welfare and fostering resilient artisanal fisheries.
VL  - 11
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Yohanna John Alhassan

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0708-1777
Tsukutoda Israel Istifanus

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria

Contact Email
Cuba James

National Bioresearch Development Agency, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria

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APA Style

Alhassan, Y. J., Istifanus, T. I., James, C. (2026). Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 11(3), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11

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ACS Style

Alhassan, Y. J.; Istifanus, T. I.; James, C. Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria. Ecol. Evol. Biol. 2026, 11(3), 41-50. doi: 10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11

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AMA Style

Alhassan YJ, Istifanus TI, James C. Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria. Ecol Evol Biol. 2026;11(3):41-50. doi: 10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11,
  author = {Yohanna John Alhassan and Tsukutoda Israel Istifanus and Cuba James},
  title = {Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria},
  journal = {Ecology and Evolutionary Biology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {41-50},
  doi = {10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.eeb.20261103.11},
  abstract = {This study examined the barriers to livelihood diversification and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams. A cross-sectional survey of 300 fishers across 50 villages was conducted, with data analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI). Economic constraints high cost of fishing gear (72.0%), limited access to credit (72.7%), and inadequate operating capital (71.0%) were the most severe factors affecting livelihoods. Institutional challenges, including limited extension services (52.7%) and inadequate training (49.0%), alongside environmental stressors such as seasonal water-level fluctuations (36.3%) and climate variability (36.3%), also influenced outcomes. EFA identified Economic Welfare (Factor 1), comprising fishing income (0.82), income from other activities (0.79), and household expenditure (0.75), as the most influential determinant of well-being. Access to services (Factor 2), Food Security (Factor 3), and Asset Ownership (Factor 4) further shaped household welfare. Livelihood diversification was high (SDI = 0.955), dominated by arable farming (59.3%), poultry (50.2%), and livestock (45.9%) and supplemented by petty trading, night guarding, and small-scale processing. The study concludes that diversified livelihoods help households mitigate risks from declining fish stocks and environmental variability. Policy interventions promoting financial inclusion, access to affordable inputs, institutional support, and market development are essential for sustaining welfare and fostering resilient artisanal fisheries.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Barriers to Livelihood Diversification and Welfare Outcomes of Artisanal Fishing Households Along Shiroro and Kainji Dams, Nigeria
AU  - Yohanna John Alhassan
AU  - Tsukutoda Israel Istifanus
AU  - Cuba James
Y1  - 2026/08/17
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11
T2  - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
JF  - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
JO  - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
SP  - 41
EP  - 50
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3762
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.eeb.20261103.11
AB  - This study examined the barriers to livelihood diversification and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria and welfare outcomes of artisanal fishing households along Shiroro and Kainji dams. A cross-sectional survey of 300 fishers across 50 villages was conducted, with data analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI). Economic constraints high cost of fishing gear (72.0%), limited access to credit (72.7%), and inadequate operating capital (71.0%) were the most severe factors affecting livelihoods. Institutional challenges, including limited extension services (52.7%) and inadequate training (49.0%), alongside environmental stressors such as seasonal water-level fluctuations (36.3%) and climate variability (36.3%), also influenced outcomes. EFA identified Economic Welfare (Factor 1), comprising fishing income (0.82), income from other activities (0.79), and household expenditure (0.75), as the most influential determinant of well-being. Access to services (Factor 2), Food Security (Factor 3), and Asset Ownership (Factor 4) further shaped household welfare. Livelihood diversification was high (SDI = 0.955), dominated by arable farming (59.3%), poultry (50.2%), and livestock (45.9%) and supplemented by petty trading, night guarding, and small-scale processing. The study concludes that diversified livelihoods help households mitigate risks from declining fish stocks and environmental variability. Policy interventions promoting financial inclusion, access to affordable inputs, institutional support, and market development are essential for sustaining welfare and fostering resilient artisanal fisheries.
VL  - 11
IS  - 3
ER  -

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