Addressing Food Insecurity and Climate Change in Nigeria: A Multi-Sectoral Approach by IDFP

The global community has set ambitious goals to achieve sustainable development, including Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 10: Reduced Inequality, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

In alignment with these objectives, the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), International Centre for Interfaith Peace and Harmony (ICIPH), and the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), in collaboration with KAICIID and the World Council of Churches, have embarked on a groundbreaking initiative in Nigeria.

This multi-sectoral approach aims to address the pressing issues of food insecurity and climate change in the states of Benue and Rivers, where conflicts and environmental challenges have significantly impacted agricultural productivity and threatened the well-being of local communities.

Rationale for Selecting Benue and Rivers States: The selection of Benue and Rivers states for this pilot project stems from the recognition that these regions experience intertwined drivers of conflict, including climate change and food insecurity.

These states have been severely affected by climate-related issues and violent clashes between farmers and herders, leading to a decline in agricultural outputs and diminishing food security.

By focusing on these states, the project aims to leverage available knowledge and resources to effectively tackle the challenges faced in these areas and provide valuable insights for managing similar crises in the future.

Objectives of the Project:
Sensitizing communities within conflict-afflicted states in Nigeria on addressing food security: The project aims to engage with communities through the IDFP’s Interfaith Dialogue Units (IDUs), facilitating discussions and raising awareness about the importance of addressing food security challenges.

Creating widespread awareness of the impact of food insecurity on community relations: To foster a better understanding of the consequences of food insecurity, a docu-series will be developed and disseminated through various media channels, both traditional and social, to reach a wide audience.

Contributing to multi-stakeholder learning on food security: Through diligent monitoring, analysis, and reporting, the project will generate valuable insights into the multi-faceted aspects of food security challenges, aiding in the development of effective strategies and policies.

Garnering policy support at the local and national levels in Nigeria: The project aims to gather community feedback and recommendations, engaging with local policymakers across ten states and facilitating a policy dialogue roundtable at the national level. This inclusive approach seeks to promote actionable policy decisions to address food security challenges.

Contributing to the G20 process: By sharing the project’s findings, insights, and recommendations, it aims to contribute to the global discourse on food security and climate change, particularly within the G20 framework.

Implementation and Methodology: The project began with the organization of two workshops in Benue and Rivers states. These workshops brought together members of the IDUs, security personnel, relevant government officials, and other policy actors to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced in these regions.

Subsequently, visits to affected sites and stakeholder interviews were conducted to provide firsthand evidence of the effects of food security challenges. These field activities aimed to gather practical recommendations that can inform targeted interventions and effective crisis management strategies.

Observations and Challenges: The project highlighted specific challenges faced by each state.

In Benue, violent clashes between farmers and herders, exacerbated by climate change, were identified as major issues. Persistent flooding further compounds the agricultural crisis in the state.

In Rivers, challenges such as flooding, gas flaring, deforestation, and the loss of marine resources due to oil spillage, bunkering, and crude oil burning.