By Abdullahi Lukman
Climate change is intensifying pressure on land and water resources across West Africa, contributing to environmental degradation, livelihood losses, displacement and insecurity, parliamentarians and experts have warned.
The concerns were highlighted at the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra, Ghana, where representatives of member states examined the links between climate change, resource competition, conflict and population displacement.
Nigeria’s presentation focused on the growing pressure on land and water caused by population growth, agricultural expansion, climate variability, environmental degradation and changing migration patterns.
The presentation linked these pressures to persistent tensions between farmers and pastoralists, with disputes often involving crop damage, competition for land and water, encroachment on livestock routes, cattle theft and changing patterns of seasonal migration.
It, however, noted that farmer-herder conflicts cannot be attributed solely to competition between the two groups, pointing to communal tensions, banditry, organised crime, climate pressures and weak dispute-resolution mechanisms as additional factors.
The Nigerian delegation also highlighted the scale of internal displacement in the country. Citing 2025 International Organization for Migration assessments, it reported more than 2.2 million internally displaced people in the North-East and over 1.3 million in the North-Central and North-West regions.
The presentation described displacement as not only a humanitarian issue but also a challenge involving development, governance, security, the environment and the economy.
Across the region, delegates stressed that declining water availability and shrinking access to productive land were placing additional pressure on farming and livestock-dependent communities.
Togo presented its efforts to manage transhumance and reduce conflicts associated with livestock movement. The country has operated a National Transhumance Committee since 1995, but changing environmental and security conditions have led to a new 2026–2030 plan.
The plan identifies climate change, pressure on land, farmer-herder conflict, security challenges, inadequate monitoring and weak enforcement among the major obstacles to peaceful livestock movement.
The Gambia highlighted its Participatory Integrated Platform for Resilience and Food Security, Phase II, which supports communities in improving food security and adapting to climate-related risks.
The programme targets small-scale farmers, herders and agro-pastoralists across 19 districts through climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, livestock support, agricultural inputs and post-harvest facilities. It also includes measures to address disputes over grazing routes and cattle tracks.
Cabo Verde, meanwhile, focused on water scarcity and its implications for sustainable development. The country is pursuing improved water availability, coastal protection and integrated water-resource management, alongside climate-adapted agricultural production.
Delegates noted that water shortages can affect agricultural output and livelihoods, potentially increasing migration and competition over already limited resources.
The seminar also considered ways to address the needs of people displaced by conflict and climate-related disasters. Nigeria argued that humanitarian assistance alone was insufficient and called for durable solutions that would allow displaced people to rebuild their lives.
Such measures include safe and voluntary return, local integration or relocation, access to land and housing, restoration of property rights, employment opportunities, education, healthcare and legal documentation.
Participants called for greater investment in early-warning systems, climate adaptation, conflict prevention, mediation and sustainable livelihoods to address the factors driving displacement before crises escalate.
Nigeria also stressed that security operations alone could not resolve the underlying challenges, arguing that effective dialogue, stronger institutions and economic opportunities were necessary for lasting stability.
The seminar placed parliamentarians at the centre of efforts to address climate-related displacement and insecurity through legislation, budgeting and oversight.
Delegates called for stronger regional cooperation, community participation, resource governance and information-sharing, noting that climate impacts and population movements often cross national borders.
The discussions concluded that West Africa’s climate challenges are closely linked to livelihoods, food security, peace and security.
Participants therefore urged governments to strengthen climate adaptation, improve management of land and water resources, invest in vulnerable communities and develop policies aimed at preventing environmental pressures from escalating into conflict and forced displacement.
