Event Description

Posted Thu, Jul 25, 2024 1:50 PM

Timeframe: Tue, Aug 6, 2024 3:00 PM - Tue, Aug 6, 2024 5:00 PM

Building Climate Resilience in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Approach

The severity of the climate crisis in Nigeria necessitates immediate and comprehensive action. To build climate resilience, key strategies include infrastructure development, ecosystem restoration, community engagement, policy and governance initiative, and international cooperation. Nigeria faces significant challenges related to depleting environmental resources, which pose serious food security threats.

The 2021 Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index ranks Nigeria as the 53rd most vulnerable country and the 6th least ready to adapt to climate change globally. Environmental degradation, such as desertification, deforestation, and soil erosion, reduces agricultural productivity, compounded by erratic weather patterns affecting crop yields and livestock.

According to Brookings, poor governance and inadequate stakeholder engagement are major obstacles to achieving climate resilience in Nigeria. Despite increasing awareness of climate change impacts among key stakeholders, the government has struggled to mobilize effective collective action for climate mitigation and resilience. This lack of coordinated effort leads to fragmented and insufficient responses to climate threats.

The World Bank emphasises adopting technological and management options to improve climate resilience. Sustainable land management practices can mitigate adverse effects on agricultural yields. Climate-smart planning for irrigation and hydropower projects can reduce risks and costs, ensuring resilient infrastructure investments.

By adopting these strategies and fostering stronger governance and stakeholder engagement, Nigeria can build greater resilience to climate change and ensure sustainable development. Building climate resilience is crucial not only for safeguarding the environment but also for ensuring sustainable economic growth and social stability. By addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, Nigeria can pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous future.