Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu today became the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having won the general elections held across the country on Saturday, February 25, 2023. He took over the reign of government from Muhammadu Buhari, a retired General and former Military Head of State, on the occasion of the seventh consecutive power transition since the dawn of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999.
Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima also became the elected Vice President of Nigeria as he succeeded Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who failed in his bid for the Presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
In 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states, Governors are also mounting the mantles of leadership having won the gubernatorial elections held on March 18. And like the newly inaugurated President, the Governors too are expected to serve a four-year renewable constitutional tenor of office.
Ten of the 28 Governors are returning having been re-elected while the remaining 18 are newly elected for a first term. But collectively they will share the burden of governance with eight other Governors whose elections are off-season. This is due mainly to judicial review of electoral victories.
No doubt, this historic day of democratic transition is a defining moment for Nigeria, a an independent nation that has had its fair share of political topsy-turvy which climaxed in the unsavoury civil war of the late 1960s.
The inauguration today of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ushers in a new era with the pressing issue of climate change still looming large on the nation’s environment agenda. Climate change poses significant challenges for Nigeria, a country with a rapidly growing population, a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, and vulnerability to extreme weather events culminating in floods.
One of the foremost challenges for Nigeria’s new president is the rising temperatures and increased frequency of heatwaves. Climate projections indicate that the country will experience higher average temperatures, which will have severe implications for public health, agriculture, and water resources. President Tinubu must prioritize measures to mitigate heat-related risks, such as improving urban planning, implementing heatwave warning systems, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.
As it is common knowledge, Nigeria’s agricultural sector is highly dependent on rainfall patterns, and climate change threatens to disrupt this delicate balance. Changing precipitation patterns, including prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall, pose a significant challenge for food security and rural livelihoods. Nigeria’s new President should focus on sustainable water management, investing in irrigation systems, and promoting climate-smart agriculture techniques to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to droughts.
Similarly, Nigeria’s extensive coastline is highly vulnerable to the impacts of sea-level rise and coastal erosion. As global sea levels continue to rise, coastal communities and infrastructure face increased risks, including saltwater intrusion, erosion, and loss of land. We expect the new administration to prioritize the development and implementation of comprehensive coastal protection measures, including mangrove restoration, construction of sea walls, and relocation plans for affected communities.
Nigeria has experienced a rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including floods, storms, and hurricanes. These events result in loss of lives, significant economic losses, displacement of communities, and damage to critical infrastructure. The new President must enhance early warning systems, invest in resilient infrastructure, and develop effective disaster response mechanisms to minimize the impact of such events and protect vulnerable populations.
We believe that Nigeria’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly oil and gas, is capable of contributing to greenhouse gas emissions in the long run. We therefore urge the new administration to immediately begin to prioritize a sustainable and inclusive energy transition by promoting renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. We are convinced that Investing in renewable energy infrastructure, incentivising clean technology adoption, and diversifying the energy mix will not only mitigate climate change but also enhance energy security and promote economic development.
The challenges posed by climate change are pressing and multifaceted. Evidently, the immediate past administration of President Buhari has laid a solid foundation of climate actions which were vigorously pursed by his Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed H. Abdullahi. The new government must therefore sustain the tempo by prioritizing adaptation and mitigation strategies, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and fostering international collaborations. President Tinubu must lead Nigeria towards a more resilient and sustainable future. Climate change is not just an environmental imperative, but also a crucial step towards achieving long-term socio-economic development for Nigeria and its citizens.