Climate change threatens food, national security — FG

The Federal Government has warned that climate change poses a growing threat to food security, livelihoods and national security, urging Nigerians to embrace climate action and sustainable practices to mitigate its impact. The Director of the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, stated this on Thursday during a dialogue organised for secondary school students by the C-Circle Foundation to commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day. Represented by the Principal Scientific Officer in the department, Mrs Dolapo John-Akhigbe, Abiola-Awe, said climate change remained the defining challenge of the current generation, with far-reaching consequences for human existence. She said, “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.” According to her, Nigeria remains disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. “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,” she said. Abiola-Awe said Nigeria had committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 29 per cent unconditionally and by 52 per cent with international support by 2030, while targeting net-zero emissions by 2060. She also highlighted government interventions, including the Climate Change Act 2021, the Energy Transition Plan, the Great Green Wall Initiative and the National Adaptation Plan, aimed at building resilience and promoting low-carbon development. Addressing students participating in the competition, she urged young Nigerians to become champions of climate action. “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,” she said. Speaking earlier, the organiser of the event and Executive Director of C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment, Dr Chimere Ohajinwa, said the annual com