This study assessed rural households’ perceptions of climate change in Taraba State, Nigeria, aiming to understand how residents interpret its causes, the variations across agro-ecological zones, and the influencing socio-cultural and environmental factors. Employing a mixed-methods research design, data were collected through structured household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs across four distinct agro-ecological zones: Sudan Savannah, Northern Guinea Savannah, Southern Guinea Savannah, and Montane. Findings revealed that rural households predominantly attribute climate change to “community disobedience to God,” particularly in the Montane and Southern Guinea Savannah zones, highlighting the profound influence of religious and cultural beliefs. The “destruction of nature (e.g., deforestation and bush burning)” was the second most perceived cause, especially in the Sudan and Northern Guinea Savannah zones, indicating strong local ecological awareness stemming from direct environmental experiences. Conversely, scientific explanations such as “natural factors” and the “use of chemicals” were less commonly acknowledged, suggesting a gap in understanding broader scientific mechanisms. Crucially, perceptions varied significantly across the agro-ecological zones, underscoring the non-homogenous nature of climate change understanding within the state. This heterogeneity is likely influenced by the specific ecological conditions and climate impacts experienced in each zone. The study concludes that effective climate change adaptation and resilience-building strategies in Taraba State must be culturally sensitive, integrate local knowledge, and be tailored to the specific contexts of each agro-ecological zone to ensure their appropriateness and efficacy.