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By Abdullahi Lukman
The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with International Alert Nigeria, has inaugurated a Project Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of the Powering Peace through Climate Action II project, aimed at addressing climate-induced security challenges in the state.
The decision followed resolutions reached at a stakeholders’ meeting involving actors from the peace-building, humanitarian and development sectors held on February 12, 2026, in Sokoto.
The initiative seeks to strengthen coordinated responses to emerging threats linked to climate change.
Speaking at the event, Senior Project Officer of International Alert, Sanusi Audu, said shrinking grazing land, declining agricultural productivity and threatened livelihoods were increasing pressure on natural resources in vulnerable communities.
He noted that reduced access to land and water was intensifying competition between farmers and herders, resulting in disputes largely driven by resource scarcity and environmental stress.
Audu warned that efforts to tackle insecurity without acknowledging climate-related drivers would leave underlying causes unresolved.
He stressed the importance of adopting climate-sensitive approaches to promote long-term peace, stability and sustainable development.
Vice Chairman of the committee, Mustapha Umar, who also serves as Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the State Emergency Management Agency, highlighted the need to integrate climate considerations into conflict prevention and resolution frameworks at community, state and national levels.
He guided stakeholders to identify priority actions, including advocacy visits, community sensitisation and encouraging local ownership of climate resilience programmes.
Also speaking, the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, called for harmonised strategies that address climate and conflict issues simultaneously.
He emphasised inclusive engagement involving government institutions, traditional leaders and grassroots actors to ensure effective responses.
Umar-Jabbi further noted that climate change exacerbates gender-based violence, poverty, displacement and poor educational outcomes in affected areas.
He advocated conflict-sensitive policies that proactively address root causes while strengthening community resilience.
Participants agreed that prioritising climate-sensitive conflict management would enhance understanding of the climate-security link and support the design of interventions that respond to both environmental and socio-economic pressures.
They added that adaptive strategies would help reduce climate-related conflicts, protect livelihoods and build resilience among communities most exposed to environmental and economic shocks.
Membership of the committee comprises representatives from government ministries, community-based organisations, traditional institutions, persons with disabilities, civil society groups and the media.