“Nigeria is currently boiling” – this is the most common response most of my acquaintances who have recently travelled home keep telling me when I ask about their trip. I am very much in touch with home (I have no choice), but it appears news can never match first-hand experience. And right now, I don’t intend to go see for myself. We are facing a tough season that requires urgent attention from the government. Poverty, high unemployment, and rising prices make daily life a struggle for many. Inflation has chased, caught up and overtaken most people’s salary with many not knowing where their next meal will come from.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s unemployment rate stood at 5% in February 2024, and the poverty rate was estimated at 40% in 2019, affecting approximately 200 million people. As millions of Nigerians fight to survive in this uncertain time, urgent needs for food and shelter push other important issues, like protecting the environment, into the background.
In a country grappling with widespread poverty and unemployment, the immediate needs of food, shelter, and security understandably take priority. For many Nigerians, engaging with environmental issues is a luxury they cannot afford. This phenomenon is supported by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which posits that humans prioritize basic physiological, and safety needs over higher-order concerns such as environmental protection. And this has been a stumbling block towards actualising many environmental goals in third-world countries across the world.
When people are struggling to make ends meet, their focus shifts to day-to-day survival. This shift in priorities can lead to reduced awareness and engagement with environmental issues. For instance, in urban areas, the pressing need for affordable housing often leads to the development of informal settlements with little regard for environmental regulations. In rural areas, subsistence farming practices that degrade the environment, such as slash-and-burn agriculture, are commonly employed as immediate means of livelihood.
Ironically, the very environment that is neglected due to economic hardship is crucial for long-term economic stability and development. Nigeria’s economy is heavily dependent on natural resources, including agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, which are all vulnerable to environmental degradation.
Deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, and pollution are rampant in Nigeria, compounding the economic woes of the country. For example, our Niger Delta, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, has been severely impacted by oil spills and gas flaring, leading to the loss of livelihoods for many communities dependent on fishing and farming. The degradation of the environment not only reduces the availability of natural resources but also increases the vulnerability of the population to natural disasters and climate change.
So, the big question is how do we engage people who are still struggling to feed and clothe themselves on environmental issues?
Education and awareness
A major ingredient needed in the mix to engage people on environmental issues is education and awareness. However, access to quality basic education is still limited in the rural areas of Nigeria. I have written extensively on this in the previous column. According to UNICEF, about 18.3 million children are out of school in Nigeria, the highest number in the world. This lack of education contributes to a lower level of environmental awareness and understanding among the population.
Environmental education is crucial for informing people about the importance of sustainable practices and the long-term benefits of environmental conservation. Without such education, people are less likely to understand the impact of their actions on the environment and the importance of engaging in environmental protection efforts.
Government and Policy
The government has a critical role to play in addressing the economic and environmental challenges facing Nigeria. However, government policies and interventions have often been inadequate or poorly implemented. Corruption and lack of political will have hampered efforts to address both economic and environmental issues effectively.
Policies aimed at economic development often overlook the importance of environmental sustainability. For instance, industrial policies may prioritize economic growth at the expense of environmental regulations, leading to increased pollution and resource depletion. Similarly, agricultural policies may encourage practices that degrade the environment in the pursuit of higher yields.
To bridge the gap between economic development and environmental sustainability, the government needs to implement and enforce policies that promote sustainable development. This includes investing in green technologies, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring that industrial development does not come at the expense of environmental health. In Nigeria, we only mostly talk about this without any action.
Community-Based Initiatives
Despite the challenges, there are numerous examples of community-based initiatives in Nigeria that demonstrate the potential for environmental engagement even in the face of economic hardship. These initiatives often involve local communities working together to address environmental issues while also improving their economic well-being.
For example, in some rural areas, communities have established cooperatives to manage natural resources sustainably. These cooperatives engage in activities such as reforestation, sustainable farming, and conservation efforts, which not only protect the environment but also provide economic benefits to the community members.
In urban areas, grassroots organizations and NGOs play a crucial role in raising awareness and promoting environmental initiatives. These organizations often work with local communities to implement waste management programs, promote recycling, and educate people about the importance of environmental conservation. Government must partner with these initiatives and provide an enabling environment to do their work.
International Support
International support and collaboration can also play a significant role in addressing the economic and environmental challenges facing Nigeria. International organizations, foreign governments, and NGOs can provide technical and financial assistance to support sustainable development initiatives.
For instance, international funding can help finance renewable energy projects, which can provide affordable and sustainable energy to communities while also reducing environmental impact. Similarly, international expertise can assist in developing and implementing policies that promote sustainable agriculture, conservation, and environmental protection.
Worth mentioning is accountability. Every kind of international support received must be documented and utilised properly. Cases of misappropriation must be frowned upon and dealt with severely.
In conclusion, the poor economic situation in Nigeria significantly affects people’s willingness to engage with environmental issues. When faced with the immediate challenges of poverty, unemployment, and survival, environmental concerns often take a back seat. However, neglecting the environment has long-term consequences that can further exacerbate economic hardships.
To address this issue, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that integrates economic development with environmental sustainability. This includes the four areas I mentioned – improving education and awareness, implementing effective government policies, supporting community-based initiatives, and fostering international collaboration. By doing so, Nigeria can create a more sustainable and equitable future, where economic development and environmental protection go hand in hand.
Olamide is a communications professional currently based in London, United Kingdom. He can be reached across social media platforms @olamidefrancis and via francisolamide1@gmail.com