In a strategic and groundbreaking move, the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment has launched the Inception Report on Mainstreaming Peacebuilding into the Nigerian National Action Plan (NAP) on Climate Change. This initiative, which signals a bold rethinking of climate governance in Nigeria, seeks to embed peace and security considerations into the country’s climate adaptation framework—an urgent necessity in a nation where environmental pressures and violent conflicts increasingly intersect.
Unveiling the report, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abass Lawal, described the process as a “sequential journey, not a one-off event,” emphasizing that mainstreaming peacebuilding into climate governance is a long-term priority. He expressed gratitude to NAP Global, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the Federal Government for their support, while also commending ministry staff and consultants for their dedication to this transformative project.
Joining virtually from Geneva, Katharina Schmidt, IISD’s Policy Advisor on Climate Change Adaptation, praised the launch as a “timely and strategic response” to the global reality of climate-induced conflicts. With her wealth of international experience in climate-security issues, Schmidt highlighted Nigeria’s unique climate vulnerabilities and lauded the government’s courage in “taking the bull by the horns” by placing peacebuilding at the heart of climate action.
The Ministry’s project team, led by Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of Climate Change, alongside Deputy Director Johna D. Barde, National Coordinator Kayode Aboyeji, and Chief Scientific Officer Adebayo Adekoje, provided encouraging insights into Nigeria’s steady progress in advancing climate adaptation through collaborative partnerships.
Equally significant were the contributions of the lead consultant, Professor Elias Nankap Lamle of the University of Jos, and his co-consultant, Dr. Salamatu Abraham of Nasarawa State University. Professor Lamle underscored Nigeria’s “dual crisis of climate change and violent conflict,” stressing the need for policies that not only address environmental stressors but also prevent maladaptive outcomes that exacerbate violence. He called for inclusive, conflict-sensitive interventions that integrate women, youth, and local realities, thereby aligning Nigeria’s efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals while attracting global support.
The event also showcased findings from the National Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, under the theme “Integrating Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Building into Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan Process.” This critical document details how desertification, flooding, resource scarcity, and migration are fueling conflicts nationwide, underscoring the urgency of aligning adaptation with peacebuilding strategies.
Stakeholders across the climate and development community hailed the launch as visionary, applauding the Ministry, NAP Global, and IISD for spearheading a model that could redefine how nations confront the nexus of climate change and conflict. By embedding peacebuilding into climate action, Nigeria is not only protecting its people and resources but also laying the foundation for a more resilient, peaceful, and inclusive future.