CULTURAL VALUES AND CLIMATE ACTION: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN EKITI AND OSUN STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

Climate change continues to pose significant environmental and socio-economic challenges, particularly in developing regions where local governance systems play a crucial role in shaping community responses. This study examines the role of cultural values and traditional institutions in promoting environmental sustainability and climate action in Ekiti and Osun States, Nigeria. Adopting a convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrated with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), data were collected from 300 respondents through structured questionnaires, alongside 24 key informant interviews and 6 focus group discussions involving traditional leaders and community stakeholders. The study operationalized four core constructs—Cultural Values, Traditional Institutions, Environmental Sustainability Practices, and Climate Action Outcomes—and analyzed their relationships using SEM and complementary statistical techniques. Findings reveal that cultural values significantly influence environmental sustainability practices (β = 0.52, p < 0.001), while traditional institutions also play a strong facilitative role (β = 0.41, p < 0.001). Environmental sustainability practices were found to be the strongest predictor of climate action outcomes (β = 0.58, p < 0.001), mediating the effects of both cultural values and traditional institutions. Qualitative insights further highlight the importance of indigenous practices such as sacred groves, taboos, and community sanctions, while also identifying challenges including declining cultural adherence and limited institutional support. The study concludes that culturally embedded governance systems remain critical for effective and inclusive climate action and should be integrated into formal environmental policy frameworks. It recommends strengthening collaboration between traditional and formal institutions, revitalizing indigenous knowledge systems, and promoting community-based climate initiatives. The study contributes to advancing knowledge on culturally grounded environmental governance and provides practical insights for localizing climate action in Nigeria and similar contexts.