Climate Change, Conflict and Poverty reduction in Nigeria: interviews with leading civil society organisations

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Ambassador Shehu is chairman of The Northeast Nigeria Regional Civil Society Network, the coalition of CSOs operating in the six states of the North-East of the country. He is also Regional Coordinator of the Lake Chad Basin Civil Society Network

Judith-Ann Walker: Ambassador Shehu, please share your insights and thoughts on the relationship between Climate Change and Poverty as it relates to the Northeast

Ambassador Shehu: My thoughts and lived experience are that climate change has had a negative impact on the lives and the potential for survival of people of the Northeast, driving poverty, vulnerability and privation. Lake Chad, which was once the eleventh largest Lake in the world and source of all economic activity for the people of Northeast Nigeria, Niger Republic and Cameroon, is now little better than a stream. Recession and transgression of Lake Chad has driven poverty and poverty has given rise to crisis. It is now almost impossible for people to grow food and earn a livelihood. Combined with a shrinking Lake Chad are extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and floods, destroying thousands of farmlands and homes, particularly in states affected by insurgency such as Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Climate change has resulted in migration and hunger and contributed to the conflict and crisis of the region.

Judith-Ann Walker: In the face of these challenges, what are the promising prospects that you see?  

Ambassador Shehu: Despite the challenges, I can say that there are promising prospects resulting from the increasing awareness of the importance of combating climate change, indicating support for sustainable practices and policies to promote sustainability. An example of this is that Borno state government has introduced tree planting initiatives, which are likely to have positive impacts reversing climate change.

I’d also like to acknowledge the power of collaboration and networking, which has played a vital role in shaping my organization’s ability to access funding for climate change programming.

Judith-Ann Walker: What are the areas where further research is needed?

Ambassador Shehu: There is need for evidence on the effect of climate change on marginalized communities, strategies to aid adaptation to environmental changes and an evaluation of the effectiveness of climate policies and their long-term effects on emissions reduction and climate change mitigation.

There is also a need to determine the benefits of sustainable land management practices in combating climate change and preserving ecosystems.

Saadatu Umar is Director of the Centre for Energy & Environmental Strategy Research at Kaduna State University, and Senior Technical Advisor to the dRPC on climate change

Judith-Ann Walker: Tell us about some challenges related to climate change & poverty

Saadatu Umar: Some of the ongoing challenges in Nigeria relate to climate change governance, with multiple and sometimes conflicting climate policies, as well as poor implementation that often hinders effective climate action. Another challenge is that the climate conversation is highly centralised at the national level, with a heavier focus on mitigation than on adaptation. There is a need for more subnational climate action at the state level as that would have more impact on the majority of poor people.

Judith-Ann Walker: What are the promising prospects that you see?  

Saadatu Umar: A promising area is Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), particularly the emphasis on the cooking sector. Its proper implementation would have a direct benefit on millions of poor people, mainly women, with the added benefit of improving health.

Judith-Ann Walker: What are the areas where further research is needed?

Saadatu Umar: One area of climate impact where further evidence is needed in Nigeria is the effect of extreme heat events, especially on poor and vulnerable populations. There is increasing evidence globally that poorer people are more at risk in heatwaves because of their occupations and living conditions, but in Nigeria there is little research or action on the effects of heat events on morbidity and mortality.

Engineer, Sadiq Abubakar Gulma is Founder and Director of Green Habitat Initiative, a Nigerian non-profit, youth-led organization committed to advancing sustainability of cities and communities in Nigeria

Judith-Ann Walker: Please share your insights on the intersectionality of climate change and poverty:

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma: The area where the relationship between climate change and poverty in Nigeria is clearest is in the agricultural sector. Evidence has shown that the impact of climate change has affected and is affecting agricultural yields across Nigeria, thereby exacerbating food insecurity and further pushing a significant part of the population into poverty. This change in weather and climate is also a major cause of malnutrition in children and vulnerable demographics because they are forced to rely on scarcely available food resources to survive.

Climate change is also a major contributor to the displacement of communities due to frequent floods contributing to the loss of farmlands during planting seasons that inevitably reduce incomes and threaten livelihoods. The burden of climate change also increases gender inequality, as women in rural areas must work harder to secure food and water, limiting their opportunities for education and economic advancement. Resource scarcity fuels conflicts over land and water, particularly in northern Nigeria, where environmental degradation has contributed to instability and displacement.

Energy also plays a critical role in the relationship between climate change and poverty in Nigeria. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels for its energy needs, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and worsen climate change. However, poor communities, especially in rural areas, often lack access to reliable and affordable electricity, relying instead on harmful alternatives like firewood and kerosene. This not only contributes to deforestation and air pollution but also affects health, particularly for women and children. Limited access to modern energy sources hampers economic development, reducing opportunities for education, business growth, and healthcare, thereby deepening poverty.

Additionally, erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, desertification and flooding are increasingly threatening crops and shrinking available arable land. This can lead to violent conflicts, particularly between herders and farmers, especially across the Northern part of the country where a large percentage of the poor population depend on subsistence agriculture.

Judith-Ann Walker: Despite these huge challenges, what are the promising prospects that you see?

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma: Climate-smart agricultural techniques such as hydroponics farming, and greenhouse farming, amongst other emerging techniques, are promising strategies that can mitigate the effect of climate change on agricultural practices. In addition, modern agrometeorological information dissemination systems will go a long way to ensuring critical weather information reaches small-holder farmers, thereby ensuring optimal farming practices and improved yields.

Community-led adaptation initiatives are also emerging as crucial to climate resilience. These locally driven strategies, which are often inclusive and gender-responsive, can enhance the ability of vulnerable populations to adapt to climate change impacts. Furthermore, Nigeria’s engagement in international climate dialogues provides opportunities for knowledge exchange and resource mobilization, which can bolster domestic climate action efforts.

The use of information technology and technology in Nigeria presents promising prospects for addressing the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in the informal sector. Innovative solutions such as mobile apps, online platforms, and data analytics can enhance communication and provide real-time climate information to small businesses, helping them make informed decisions. Technology can also improve access to financial services through digital payment systems and microfinancing platforms, empowering informal entrepreneurs to invest in climate-resilient practices.

Judith-Ann Walker: What are the areas where further research is needed?

Sadiq Abubakar Gulma: There is a need for more localized, detailed data on how climate change impacts different regions and demographics within Nigeria to understand which communities are most at risk and how they can adapt to climate change. We also need data on which interventions work best in different regions for reducing climate-related poverty.

Further evidence is also needed to assess how effectively Nigeria’s climate policies, such as the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA-CCN), contribute to poverty reduction. These studies can help to track progress and promote inclusive planning.

Public awareness and engagement remain critical, as research into how communities perceive climate change can inform better communication strategies and encourage grassroots participation in adaptation efforts.

Innovative financing mechanisms are essential to address the funding gaps that currently hinder effective responses to climate risks, particularly in scaling up adaptation initiatives and renewable energy projects.

Finally, the intersection of climate change and poverty also has significant political ramifications. The socio-economic distress caused by climate emergencies can distort electoral processes, as impoverished populations may be more susceptible to manipulation by political actors seeking to exploit their vulnerabilities. Adequate evidence is needed in this area as the scenario raises concerns about governance and democratic integrity in Nigeria.

Gabriel Abraham Bala is the Director of Concern on Climate Change for the Community Initiative (FOURCi), a non-profit organization made up of Academics, Environmentalists, Agricultural Experts, Health experts, Building Experts and community volunteers coming together with their different expertise to speak with one voice about concern towards safeguarding the future of our climate.

Judith-Ann Walker: Please share your insights on the intersectionality of climate change and poverty

Gabriel Abraham Bala: Climate change intensifies education poverty as children are not able to attend schools overwhelmed by heat or floods. Climate change also impacts negatively on livelihoods, particularly in agriculture-dependent communities, and exacerbates existing socio-economic vulnerabilities.

For instance, in flood-prone states, where subsistence farming is the main source of income, climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods have devastated crops, livestock, and entire communities, pushing people further into poverty.

Climate change is not only displacing communities but also intensifying conflicts over shrinking resources, especially in areas already facing insecurity, such as northeastern Nigeria.

Vulnerable communities often lack the infrastructure to implement climate adaptation measures, such as flood barriers, irrigation systems, or drought-resistant crops.

Climate-induced disasters like floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures can directly disrupt children’s education by damaging school infrastructure. For example, in flood-affected communities like Gwange and Madganari, floods destroy classrooms and learning materials, forcing schools to close or operate under poor conditions.

In conflict-prone areas such as Borno State, climate change exacerbates existing insecurity. Displaced populations often take refuge in schools, turning them into temporary shelters. This makes schools unsafe for children and interrupts their learning.

Children living in conflict and climate-affected areas face immense psychological stress, which negatively impacts their ability to learn and thrive in school. The displacement caused by floods and conflicts breaks their sense of normalcy and stability, leading to trauma and anxiety that affects their academic performance.

In many rural and conflict-prone areas, families struggling with the impacts of climate change may prioritize survival over education. Children may be forced to leave school to support their families by working in agriculture or other means of income generation, especially when climate events like drought destroy family livelihoods.

Judith-Ann Walker: What are the areas where further research is needed?

Gabriel Abraham Bala: A critical component that requires deeper research is the relationship between climate change, natural resource management, and conflict. In regions like the northeast, including Borno and Adamawa, competition for scarce resources like land and water, worsened by climate change, has triggered conflict. The Boko Haram insurgency, compounded by climate-related displacement, is an example of how resource depletion and poor management can fuel violence. Addressing this dynamic requires a deeper understanding of how effective natural resource management can mitigate conflict and poverty.