Nigeria has convened policymakers, climate experts and peacebuilding practitioners from across the continent to address the growing link between climate change and insecurity, with a focus on developing peace-centred adaptation strategies.
Declaring the high-level forum open in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Salihu Aminu Usman, warned that the accelerating pace of climate change is already driving severe global consequences and requires urgent, coordinated action.
“Climate change impacts are on the rise daily, with unprecedented and extreme weather conditions being experienced all around the world. Urgent solutions are required before it gets out of hand,” he said.
Usman reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international climate obligations under frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. He added that Nigeria has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 47 per cent with international support.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), nearing completion, integrates conflict-sensitive approaches that link climate adaptation with peacebuilding. According to him, environmental pressures are increasingly contributing to security challenges such as farmer-herder conflicts, banditry and cattle rustling.
“It would be a mistake to ignore adaptation needs in these peacebuilding contexts,” Usman said, stressing the need to align climate policies with national security strategies.
In her remarks, the Director of the Department of Climate Change, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, highlighted the impact of climate variability on infrastructure, biodiversity and livelihoods, warning that these disruptions are intensifying vulnerabilities and fuelling instability.
She noted that Nigeria’s adaptation planning process has been inclusive and participatory, aimed at addressing medium- and long-term climate risks while strengthening resilience across sectors.
Also speaking, Alec Crawford of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, said climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
“The intersection between climate risks, war, and conflict is no longer abstract,” Crawford said, adding that adaptation strategies must also support peacebuilding outcomes.
He commended Nigeria for hosting the forum and acknowledged financial support from the Government of Ireland.
The forum has drawn participation from several African countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Liberia, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan.
Organisers said discussions will focus on integrating peacebuilding into climate adaptation planning, sharing national experiences and strengthening collaboration among environmental, security and development stakeholders.
The forum, which runs through May 7, features technical sessions, policy dialogues and peer learning aimed at shaping a coordinated African response to the climate-security challenge.
