NGO provides insights into causes of climate change, conflicts in Nigeria

By Yemi Olakitan

Surge Africa Organisation, a not-for-profit group, has launched a report that provides foundational insights and analysis into the nexus of climate change and conflicts in Nigeria.

The farmer-herder conflict in Northern Nigeria has been attributed to climate change related challenges.

Launched under the organisation’s Climate Security programme, the Analysis Report, titled: “Assessing Conflict and Fragility Risk in Nigeria”, expands on the climate crisis and its associated risks to human security in Nigeria and the Sahel Region.

Concerned with the implication of climate change on human security in Africa, Surge Africa began developing their Climate Security workstream which seeks to deepen understanding of the intersectionality of climate change, natural resources, peace and security.

The report was launched at the virtual Design Thinking Workshop hosted by Surge Africa which convened critical stakeholders from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), civil society, academia, international organisations and interested individuals to discuss the findings of the report and chart pathways towards advancing climate action and improving human security in Africa.

The report was developed by Murtala Abdullahi, a Nigerian Climate Security Analyst and Consultant at Surge Africa, who in his presentation stated that “the impact of climate change on the environment aggravates resource scarcity, livelihood losses and poverty – which in turn fuel social tension, armed conflicts and humanitarian crises.”

Noting that integrating climate security in peacebuilding and security interventions offers African leaders a unique opportunity to address the socioeconomic and developmental drivers of armed conflicts, Abdullahi added: “Finally, the upcoming Loss and Damage negotiations at COP28 present a crucial opportunity for the global community to provide backing for climate, peace and security initiatives in vulnerable countries in Africa.”

In his presentation, Mubanga Lumpa, a Zambian Researcher and Political Analyst, stressed that the changing climate is already affecting the livelihoods of millions of people across the continent and, if left unchecked, could have devastating consequences for Africa’s development.

He, therefore, proposed that relevant stakeholders localise the science of climate change for effective communication and engagement with local communities in championing sustainable solutions to the global challenge.

Surge Africa noted that the Design Thinking Workshop series aimed to provide stakeholders with in-depth analysis and resources on climate security risk, facilitate knowledge sharing and continuously build a community of practice on climate security.

The workshop also provided an avenue for stakeholders to develop recommendations to push the climate security agenda at national and state levels, as well as at the African Climate Week and Summit.

Established in 2017, Surge Africa Organisation designs and implements innovative measures that improve approaches to climate adaptation through policy, media and resilience building.