Southern Nigeria is experiencing a significant loss of land, with coastal erosion claiming between 30 to 40 meters annually. This alarming trend has prompted calls for immediate intervention, as highlighted by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
During a recent Commonwealth Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security, the Minister emphasized the serious threats posed by climate change to Nigeria’s environment. “Desertification is advancing at 0.6 kilometers per year in northern Nigeria, while the southern coast is eroding at an alarming rate,” he stated.
The Minister warned that this environmental degradation is aggravating food insecurity in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa. He called for urgent action, stating, “We cannot allow climate inaction to dictate our food security future.”
In response to these challenges, Nigeria is rolling out several climate-smart initiatives aimed at combating environmental degradation and improving agricultural productivity. The Nigeria Living Lands Initiative, for instance, focuses on restoring 50,000 hectares of degraded land, which could generate significant income for farmers.
Innovative solutions, such as climate-smart greenhouses, are being introduced to ensure food stability despite erratic weather patterns. Additionally, the government is promoting the bamboo value chain to facilitate eco-friendly construction and sustainable livelihoods.
Another forward-thinking initiative involves the production of methanol fuel and a clean cooking program which aims to reduce reliance on biomass and fossil fuels. “Currently, 90 percent of Nigerian households use these traditional energy sources for cooking. Our initiative will encourage a shift towards cleaner energy,” he stated.
The government is also developing an integrated biodigester network that will convert organic waste into biogas and fertilizers. This project targets a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 tons annually and aims to provide clean energy for over 10,000 households.
The Minister highlighted the critical role of climate finance in supporting these initiatives, underscoring Nigeria’s efforts to access green bonds and climate resilience funds to amplify its projects. He urged Commonwealth nations to streamline the process for accessing international climate funding, as current bureaucratic challenges hinder effective responses to climate crises.
As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda initiated by President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is aligning its policies with global sustainability objectives. A notable aspect of this strategy is Executive Order No. 5, which enhances technological adoption across agriculture, energy, and industry.
The Minister called for increased cooperation within the Commonwealth, advocating for the establishment of a Commonwealth Center for Climate-Smart Agriculture and improved financing access for climate-related projects. “Empowerment of youth and women in agritech innovation is vital,” he stressed.
As Nigeria seeks to take the lead in climate innovation, the Minister concluded, “Together, we can construct a climate-resilient, food-secure, and prosperous future for everyone.”
