Nigeria has called for an urgent action to reduce the growing impacts of climate change on its regions.
The issues were highlighted during a side event hosted by the Federal Ministry of Regional Development at COP29, which is ending today in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The event, with the theme: Fostering Regional Synergies for Climate Resilience and Inclusive Development in Nigeria, called attention to the country’s vulnerabilities and efforts to address them.
The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, stressed the severity of climate challenges facing the nation, noting that agriculture, infrastructure, public health, and livelihoods were at risk.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, the minister said: “The effects of climate change are evident across Nigeria. Together, we must act decisively to protect our people, our environment, and our future.”
Momoh outlined the specific challenges afflicting Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Niger Delta region.
Rising temperatures and drought in the Northcentral are threatening agricultural productivity, while pollution and erratic rainfall are endangering water resources, including the nation’s major Rivers Niger and Benue.
In the Northeast, desertification and reduced rainfall are accelerating the expansion of the Sahara Desert, displacing communities and fueling conflicts.
The minister said the Northwest has seen unpredictable rainfall result in severe flooding, damaging infrastructure and displacing residents.
In the Southeast, heavy rains cause gully erosion and landslides, destroying property and forcing people to abandon their homes.
astal erosion, sea-level rise, and oil pollution are severely degrading the ecosystems in the Southsouth, while the Southwest grapples with urban flooding caused by inadequate drainage and rising sea levels, posing threats to public health and economic activity.
The centerpiece of the ministry’s presentation was the launch of the Niger Delta Climate Change Programme and Action Plan (NDRCCP-AP), a detailed strategy designed to address the specific vulnerabilities of the Niger Delta region.
Momoh explained that nearly all the region’s primary forests have been lost as a result of human activities, with oil exploration and acid rain further compounding the effects of climate change.
“This action plan prioritises sustainable development, low-carbon growth, and poverty alleviation,” he said.
The plan, the minister explained, encompasses sustainable livelihood projects aimed at empowering small-scale farmers, mangrove reforestation for carbon sequestration and soil stabilisation, and flood and erosion control projects supported by early warning systems.
Capacity-building initiatives are also a key component, focusing on equipping stakeholders with the tools needed to enhance climate governance and response efforts.
Aligned with Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the NDRCCP-AP emphasises the integration of adaptation and mitigation projects to build resilience and foster sustainable growth.
The minister called for strengthened partnerships with local and international stakeholders to secure funding and support for the plan.
“We cannot tackle this challenge alone. Climate action requires robust collaboration across governments, businesses, and communities,” he noted.
The ministry also reiterated the need for transitioning to cleaner energy sources, addressing deforestation, and leveraging technology to strengthen Nigeria’s climate resilience.
As COP29 winds down today, Nigeria’s contributions underscore its dedication to addressing the global climate crisis while ensuring sustainable development.
Momoh called for a collective action, saying: “Together, we must act now to secure a safer and more sustainable future for Nigeria and the world.”
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