Onuigbo Warns Climate Crisis Threatens Nigeria’s Security, Economy

Former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, has called for stronger collaboration among governments, institutions, communities and citizens to address the growing threats posed by climate change in Nigeria.

Speaking at a media literacy training on Climate Change Governance, Gender Mainstreaming, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Minamata Convention in Abuja on Wednesday, Onuigbo said climate change had evolved from scientific debate into a major national challenge affecting livelihoods, security and economic development.

Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Bill 2021 later signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, said the effects of climate disruption were already being felt across the country through devastating floods, desertification, food insecurity, displacement, shrinking water bodies and rising temperatures.

According to him, environmental degradation and competition over dwindling natural resources, particularly around the Lake Chad region, have continued to fuel farmer-herder clashes and insecurity in several parts of the country.

Delivering a presentation titled, “From Personal Effort to National Reimagining Climate Change Governance in Nigeria,” the former lawmaker said governments and global institutions now increasingly view climate change as not only an environmental issue but also a developmental, humanitarian and security concern capable of undermining national stability.

He noted that Nigeria’s climate response gained significant momentum following the passage and presidential assent to the Climate Change Act 2021 after previous unsuccessful attempts in earlier assemblies.

Onuigbo explained that the law created a framework for low greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable economic growth and climate governance through the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change chaired by the President.

He added that the Act also mandates climate action plans, emissions reduction targets and the integration of climate considerations into sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, transportation, housing and water resources management.

The former lawmaker stressed that effective climate governance would require stronger legislative oversight, climate-sensitive budgeting and complementary laws promoting renewable energy, afforestation and environmental sustainability.

“The antidote to this global challenge is collective action. Climate change is too large for any institution to solve alone,” he said.

He urged stakeholders including the media, civil society, academia, private sector operators, women and youths to intensify advocacy and support for climate resilience initiatives.

Onuigbo also challenged journalists to strengthen climate reporting by holding governments accountable, exposing environmental corruption and amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities affected by climate change.

He commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for policies aimed at advancing Nigeria’s climate transition agenda, including the removal of petrol subsidy, implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, renewable energy expansion and green finance initiatives.

He further highlighted the establishment of the National Carbon Registry, operationalisation of the Climate Change Fund and Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions targeting a 32 per cent emissions reduction by 2035.

Onuigbo also called for stronger implementation of the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury to tackle pollution arising from artisanal mining and other hazardous environmental practices.

He maintained that Nigeria possesses the institutional framework, policy foundation and human capacity needed to effectively confront climate change, describing climate action as critical to sustainable national development.