By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria’s Youth Climate Ambassador, Kayinajah Inyang, has condemned the recent surge in violent attacks across the country, warning that climate-driven resource pressures are deepening communal conflicts.
Speaking at a COP30 side event in Belém, Brazil, Inyang connected worsening farmer–herder clashes to climate change impacts, particularly desertification and drought in northern Nigeria and the Sahel.
He explained that shrinking arable land and water sources are pushing Fulani herders southward into farming regions, intensifying competition for scarce resources and fuelling deadly confrontations.
Inyang argued that these environmental stresses are being weaponised, displacing hundreds of thousands and worsening national insecurity.
He urged swift investment in large-scale climate adaptation and mitigation to prevent further escalation.
In a statement on the sidelines of COP30, Inyang expressed grief over recent terrorist attacks, including the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly church attack in Kwara State.
He offered condolences to victims’ families and honoured soldiers killed in action.
Calling for unity, he warned Nigerians against divisive religious narratives, stressing that the country is under attack from terrorists, not from one faith group against another.
Inyang voiced confidence that the government and armed forces are working to restore peace.
Widely recognised for his work in securing funding for African climate-tech initiatives, he remains a key youth representative at global climate summits and leads engagement efforts at COP30, including hosting the conference’s live blog.
