Climate change threatens food, national security, FG

The Nigerian government is sounding the alarm on climate change, highlighting its profound threat to the nation's food security, economy, and overall national security. Officials emphasize that while Nigeria contributes little to global emissions, it suffers disproportionately from the impacts, including rising temperatures and extreme weather events.

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Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation threaten every aspect of human life, from food security and water availability to health, livelihoods and national security.

At a dialogue for secondary school students, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment, stressed that climate change is the "defining challenge of our generation." She noted that its consequences extend to food availability, water resources, health, and livelihoods.

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Nigeria, like many developing nations, is disproportionately vulnerable to these climate impacts despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, in this challenge lies an unprecedented opportunity, the opportunity to reimagine our economies, reshape our industries and reorient our societies toward sustainability.

Despite the vulnerability, the government views the challenge as an opportunity for sustainable development. Nigeria has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 29% unconditionally by 2030, with a target of net-zero emissions by 2060. Key interventions include the Climate Change Act 2021, the Energy Transition Plan, and the Great Green Wall Initiative.

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To our students and participants in today’s debate and dialogue: you are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are the agents of change today. Your voices matter. Your ideas are powerful. Your generation has the creativity, energy and moral conviction to drive the transformation our world so urgently needs.

Young Nigerians were urged to become "agents of change today," with officials emphasizing the power of their voices and ideas to drive the necessary transformation toward sustainability. The event, organized by the C-Circle Foundation, aimed to raise environmental awareness among youth.

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The idea is to raise awareness on environmental issues. Every year, we do this in commemoration of World Environment Day. The theme for this year is climate change and a sustainable future.