The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says about 1.6 million people have been affected by flooding in Nigeria between April and September 2024.
Flooding in Nigeria
Hajiya Zubaida Umar, the Director -General of NEMA, made this known during the 2024 downscaling of flood early warning strategies for early actions’ event in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
Umar, represented by Dr Daniel Obot, the Director of Disaster Risk Reduction of the agency, also said that 634,035 were displaced, and 94,741 houses destroyed or submerged.
She said the aim of the early warning strategies was to integrate direct risk communication and engagement approach to disseminate early warning message for early actions at the state, LG, and community levels.
“The rainfall and flood advisories contained in the Season Climate Prediction (SCP), and Annual Flood Outlooks (AFO) of Nigeria, Meteorological Agency and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), respectively, have provided us with early warning alerts.
“Consequently, all of us are expected to take actions that will drastically reduce the adverse impacts of floods on the entire lands and Nigerian population, especially for the most vulnerable persons living in communities identified to be at risk of flooding,” she said.
Umar said that the statistics from the National Emergency Coordination Centre (EOC) of NEMA as at Sept. 13, 176 LGAs in 30 states including the FCT were affected as against the 148 LGAs and 31 states predicted by NIHSA.
Also speaking, Gov. Nasir Idris appreciated NEMA’s proactive stance in assessing flood risk areas, providing relief and strengthening our capacity for disaster management.
“Your expertise and resources will bolster our efforts to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure,” he said.
Idris, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Tafida, said the state had experienced severe flooding in at least 13 LGAs recently, displacing communities and affecting agricultural productivity.
“Your visit will help identify more areas of urgent need and enhancing flood early warning systems, strengthening emergency preparedness and response, as well as providing relief and rehabilitation support,” he said.
The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to collaborating with NEMA to ensure effective flood management and disaster risk reduction.
At the United Nations headquarters, where world leaders will gather to address critical global challenges during the General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week, they will have a unique opportunity to experience a groundbreaking artwork that leverages artificial intelligence to transform environmental conservation.
The UN artwork
Developed by the renowned Refik Anadol Studio, Large Nature Model: Coral, an unprecedented AI-generated portrayal of coral reefs, takes centre stage as governments, civil society and other stakeholders meet for the Summit of the Future during UNGA on an array of pressing issues – from the Sustainable Development Goals and climate action to new and emerging technologies.
Utilising a machine learning algorithm trained on a staggering 100 million coral reef images, this monumental immersive installation offers an unprecedented glimpse into the vastness and complexity of our oceans. It serves as a poignant reminder of what’s at stake in the fight for our planet’s future.
“Refik Anadol’s artwork is a testament to the beauty and fragility of our natural world,” said UN Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming. “It’s a clarion call to world leaders: we must harness the power of technology, and human ingenuity and agency to incite action to protect our planet before it’s too late.”
Large Nature Model: Coral exemplifies the potential of AI not only to illuminate the consequences of environmental degradation but also to inspire innovative solutions. Anadol’s work, a tribute to the power of merging art with science, technology and innovation, serves as a powerful message and call to action – inspiring greater understanding, deeper reflection and a much-needed sense of responsibility to safeguard our natural world.
“It’s an honor to participate in this year’s Summit of the Future and be part of the critical dialogues shaping our global future. As an interdisciplinary artist, I hope that Large Nature Model: Coral inspires people to see how technology can foster deeper connections with our planet and empower us to work together toward a more sustainable world,” stated Refik Anadol, Media Artist and co-founder of Refik Anadol Studio.
“I’m also grateful for Patrick J. McGovern Foundation’s support of the RAS AI Foundation’s Large Nature Model research. Established in 2023, RAS AI Foundation is dedicated to the ethical integration of art, science, and technology, ensuring responsible innovation that drives forward both creative and scientific exploration,” Anadol added.
Our coral reef ecosystems, often called the “rainforests of the ocean,” are dying at an alarming rate. They are among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet to climate change. These undersea cities, which support 25 per cent of marine life, could virtually disappear by the end of this century.
“AI is not just a tool for innovation—it’s a force that can reshape how we see our planet, reconnecting us with the beauty and fragility of nature in ways never before possible. Refik Anadol’s brilliant vision allows us to use technology to engage the senses and spark a deeper emotional connection to our natural world,” said Vilas Dhar, President at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
“Large Nature Model: Coral, merges technology with artistic expression to open new pathways for engagement, helping humanity see not just the challenges but the opportunities to build a sustainable future. As we look toward the Summit of the Future, we must seize this moment to harness AI’s power to shift perspectives and drive collective change for generations to come,” Dhar added.
Large Nature Model: Coral will be on display at the UN headquarters from September 21 to 28, 2024, coinciding with the annual gathering of world leaders and the Summit of the Future. This year’s Summit, which takes place from September 21 to 22, focuses on strengthening multilateralism and addressing critical challenges and opportunities, including those presented by new and emerging technologies such as AI.
The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Executive Office of the UN Secretary- General, in partnership with the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
Vice-Chancellor, Trinity University Yaba, Lagos State, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has restated the institution’s commitment to fostering collaborations, research, and cutting-edge innovation in biotechnology to drive sustainable economic development.
Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos
Kolawole gave the assurance at the 2024 Recent Advances in Technology (RAIB) Fourth Annual International Conference and Workshop.
The event, which held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Lagos, was hosted by the Faculty of Basic Medical and Applied Science of the institution.
The conference had the theme: “Biotechnology as a Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Development: Achieving SDGs through Innovation and Collaboration”.
According to the vice-chancellor, there are many challenges globally, which call for new ideas and new disciplines to expand the frontiers of knowledge in tackling them.
“This conference is the first of its kind to hold here, in this university, and we are proud to be at the forefront to address the most pressing challenges facing our world today.
“Our aim is to facilitate meaningful dialogue, forge strategic partnerships and promote knowledge sharing that drives sustainable economic development and accelerates progress toward achieving the United Nation’s SDGs,” he said.
The Convener of the event, Prof. Charles Adetunji, said that biotechnology could be applied to unlock solutions for nations and the world at large.
Adetunji said that issues such as health crisis, environmental sustainability and economic stability could be addressed through biotechnology.
He added that the conference was a clarion call to solve global challenges through biotechnology.
“We can harness the power of biotechnology to forge a path toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
“As we embark on this exciting journey, let us embrace the opportunities before us with enthusiasm.
“The conference will cover areas such as health, food security, Artificial Intelligence, blue economy, entrepreneurship, metabolic engineering and economic growth.
“All these, I believe, will effectively address the ‘Japa syndrome’ in the country,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Thomas Webster of the Hebei University of Technology and Interstellar Therapeutics, U.S. who joined the conference virtually, promised to support Nigerian students to the U.S. to conduct research toward solving global challenges.
In a keynote address, Prof Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency, described the conference as timely.
Abdullahi said that the conference was in line with the aims and objectives of the agency.
He said that there was need for research that would generate results for the good of the society.
Abdullahi commended Trinity University for efforts in exploring solutions to global challenges.
He urged participants to see the conference as a great opportunity.
The Acting Dean, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences of Trinity University, Dr Modupeade Adetunji, expressed delight that the conference brought together innovators, researchers and industry experts.
“We recognise the immense potential of biotechnology to address global challenges,” she said.
The Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN), in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation, has called on federal and state governments to develop a National Agroecology Strategy to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Ikenna-Donald Ofoegbu
Mr Ikenna Ofoegbu, Project Coordinator, Heinrich Boll Foundation, made the call at the National stakeholders workshop on Organic and Agroecology farming in Nigeria on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Abuja.
Ofoegbu said that it was part of the recommendations of the workshop held in June.
Agroecology is a sustainable farming practice that works with nature. It is the application of ecological concepts and principles to farming.
Ofoegbu said that the national agroecology strategy sought to formulate and implement a comprehensive strategy that aligned with food security goals and coordinate efforts across various sectors to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
He said that other recommendations included increased funding for agroecology initiatives, designating specific areas for organic farming and protecting them from industrial pollution and conventional practices.
Others were funding of training programmes to educate farmers in agroecological practices, organic farming and sustainable agricultural techniques.
The stakeholders called on federal and state legislatures to enact supportive legislations for agroecology.
They called for governments and the private sector to provide low -interest loans and incentives for organic farming methods.
The coalition urged farmers associations and cooperatives to adopt agroecological practices and facilitate market access for organic products among others.
The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and the Federal Ministry of Power have called for increased private sector investment in green hydrogen opportunities.
Delegates at the capacity building workshop
They spoke at the opening of a two-day Regional Capacity Building Workshop of ECOWAS Private Sector Actors on Green Hydrogen, on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in Lagos.
The event was organised by ECOWAS Commission-the ECREEE, the West African Sun Service Centre for Climate Change and Adapted Land (WASCAL) and the German Ministry of Education and Research.
Declaring the workshop open, Mr Temitope Dina, Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Power, described as collective the regional journey toward a sustainable and green future.
Dina said: “We are united by a shared vision to harness the immense potential of green hydrogen to drive economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability across West Africa.
“The journey to this point has been marked by dedication, collaboration, and a clear understanding of the pivotal role green hydrogen will play in our energy future.
“Green hydrogen stands at the forefront of the global transition to clean energy.
“It offers the promise of reducing carbon emissions, diversifying our energy sources, and fostering innovation.
“In our region, with its abundant renewable energy resources, green hydrogen could be a game-changer.”
According to him, green hydrogen can stimulate local industries, create jobs, and provide a significant boost to our economies.
Dina added: “Our success will not solely depend on the technical aspects of green hydrogen but also on our ability to work together as a region.
“Collaboration and shared learning will be key to overcoming the barriers we face and to maximising the benefits of green hydrogen for all our nations.
“The transition to a green hydrogen economy is not just a technical challenge; it is a chance to redefine our energy landscape and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Speaking, Dr Bruno Korgo, the Regional Coordinator for Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen at the West African Sun Service Centre for Climate Change and Adapted Land (WASCAL), said that ECOWAS region had a huge potential in terms of renewable energy including solar, wind, hydro among others.
According to Korgo, in the West Africa Green Hydrogen Policy, the target is for West African region to be able to produce by 2030, 0.5 million tons of green hydrogen per year and by 2050, 10 million tons per year.
The coordinator, who noted that the policies had been adopted by heads of state in the region, said that government and private sector had to join hands to achieve the goals.
Korgo said that green hydrogen had been considered in all the energy strategies all over the world as a vector for decarbonising a lot of sectors across the world.
Also speaking, Mr Hyacinth Elayo, Sustainable Energy Policy Officer, ECREEE, said that the ECOWAS region had adopted ambitious targets within the framework of the organisation’s regional policy for green hydrogen and strategy framework.
“We want to develop millions of tons of green hydrogen, at least three scalable clusters within the ECOWAS region and generates at least three to five billion dollars of investments in the green hydrogen space.
“This workshop is basically to bring this policy home, to work with the private sector to help implement these ambitious targets.
“Our role is to create an enabling environment for investments, but the private sector really are the engine and the growth drivers.
“They are our soldiers in the field and our objective, basically, for this workshop is to ensure that we are able to interact with them, especially the key industries that are present here.
“We want them to actually champion this policy and help develop investment projects that can drive green hydrogen in the ECOWAS region and that can also catalyse the sector,” he said.
According to him, West Africa has a close proximity to the demand centres in Europe and there is no reason the ECOWAS should not position itself to tap into the multi-billion-dollar industry.
The agenda included a range of topics crucial to advancing our green hydrogen goals, as well as technological innovations, policy frameworks, and investment strategies.
Prolonged exposure to noise levels of 65 decibels (dB) or higher can lead to serious health issues, including increased risks of heart attacks, hypertension, and other cardiovascular problems, research shows.
In the charming coastal city of San Sebastian, noise pollution is becoming a growing concern. It ranks as the most noise-polluted city in the EU. Photo credit: trabantos via Shutterstock
As cities grow denser and traffic noise becomes more pervasive, the adverse effects of noise pollution become more pressing.
A recent analysis by Healthnews, which evaluated 434 cities in 30 European countries, highlights the scale of the problem. It reveals that 285 cities are impacted by road noise levels between 65–69 dB, affecting an average of 7.84% of their populations.
In cities like San Sebastian, Spain, a staggering 27.4% of residents endure noise levels that put their health at risk.
This makes noise pollution not just an environmental nuisance, but a widespread public health concern.
Healthnews’s analysis used data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), based on reports submitted under the Environmental Noise Directive (END).
The report used the Lden (Day-Evening-Night Level) metric, which averages noise exposure over 24 hours.
The most affected cities and countries
Among the cities most affected, San Sebastian, Spain, tops the list, with nearly a third of its residents exposed to harmful noise levels.
Italian cities like Messina and Terni also rank high, with 26.6% and 23% of their populations affected, respectively. These findings reflect a broader issue seen across Italy and Spain, where over 10% of residents in numerous cities live with dangerous road noise levels.
Larger nations, such as Germany and France, face an even greater number of affected residents, with over 2 million people exposed in each country.
Noise pollution unlikely to improve
Despite the growing problem, efforts to curb noise pollution are being made. Under the END, member states must create noise maps and develop action plans to reduce high noise levels. These measures include constructing noise barriers, using low-noise road surfaces, lowering speed limits, and promoting alternative transportation methods such as cycling and public transit.
However, the rapid urbanisation of cities often means that noise reduction is more about managing the situation rather than eliminating it. The increasing density of city populations and vehicle use makes it challenging to implement effective long-term solutions.
For many residents, particularly in the most affected cities, the issue of noise pollution remains a daily struggle. Without significant improvements, citizens are unlikely to experience quieter, healthier environments anytime soon.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has congratulated the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for becoming the first country in the world to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy. This significant milestone, according to the WHO, marks a new era in global public health efforts.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)
“WHO congratulates Jordan on this impressive milestone,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Leprosy has afflicted humanity for millennia, but country-by-country we are stopping transmission and freeing individuals, families and communities from its suffering and stigma.”
“Jordan’s elimination of this age-old disease is a historic milestone in public health and a huge success for efforts to eliminate leprosy globally,” said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia who heads WHO’s Global Leprosy Programme. “The fight against leprosy around the world is more than a fight against a disease. It is also a fight against stigma, and a fight against psychological and socio-economic harm. I congratulate Jordan on its achievement.”
Jordan has not reported any autochthonous cases of leprosy for over two decades, a testament to its strong political commitment and effective public health strategies to eliminate the disease.
Following up on the Ministry of Health’s interest in verifying the elimination of leprosy, WHO commissioned an independent team to assess this situation. After an extensive review, the verification team recommended that WHO acknowledges leprosy has been eliminated in Jordan.
“Jordan’s elimination of leprosy is an achievement that will transform the discourse around this age-old, stigmatising disease,” said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Hanan Balkhy. “As the first country to achieve this target globally, Jordan stands as an inspiration to other countries, encouraging them to enhance their efforts and overcome barriers to achieve this remarkable feat.”
Jordan’s success sets a worldwide precedent, showcasing what can be achieved with strong political commitment, dedication, collaboration and strategic planning.
Although Jordan has successfully eliminated leprosy, the WHO and Ministry of Health both stress the importance of maintaining robust surveillance systems to detect and manage future potential cases, including foreign-borne cases, without discrimination.
“Jordan’s journey highlights the power of sustained efforts in public health and the potential of global collaboration to overcome even the most challenging public health issues,” said WHO Representative to Jordan, Dr Jamela Al-Raiby.
“This success was made possible by the leadership of the Ministry of Health, strong collaboration between WHO and the Ministry, and technical support provided by WHO at all three levels. We remain committed to continuing our support for Jordan, addressing its needs and empowering it to ensure the sustainability of this success which adds to the list of public health achievements Jordan has accomplished,” added Al-Raiby.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. Left untreated, leprosy can cause permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent disability.
Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) which still occurs in more than 120 countries. More than 200,000 new cases are reported every year.
The UK’s foreign Secretary, David Lammy, in his first major foreign policy speech has made it clear that action on climate is action on our security, our prosperity and our future.
UK’s foreign Secretary, David Lammy
Lammy in a speech on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, pledged to build a Global Clean Power Alliance – a new coalition committed to accelerating the clean energy transition globally, as part of the cross-government mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
Alongside announcing plans to appoint new Special Representatives for Climate Change and for Nature, the Foreign Secretary also pledged to unlock more climate finance and reverse the decline in global biodiversity – addressing systemic inequalities and injustice globally.
He said: “This Government has set a landmark goal – to be the first major economy to deliver clean power by 2030. We will leverage that ambition to build an Alliance committed to accelerating the clean energy transition.
“And today we are firing the starting gun on forming this new coalition. While some countries are moving ahead in this transition, others are being left behind. We need to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy across the globe in the way that this Government is doing at home.”
The Alliance will focus on driving global investment and finance to close the clean power gap by helping more countries to leapfrog fossil fuels and transition to power systems with renewables at their core. It will work to speed up the supply of critical minerals and inject impetus into expanding energy grids and storage. This will help to increase clean energy innovation across the globe – sharing knowledge and technology to make Net Zero Power a reality, everywhere.
Lammy added: “This crisis is not some discrete policy area, divorced from geopolitics, conflict and insecurity. The threat may not feel as urgent as a terrorist or an imperialist autocrat. But it is more fundamental. It is systemic. Pervasive. And accelerating towards us. Today, I am committing to you that while I am Foreign Secretary, action on the climate and nature crisis will be central to all the Foreign Office does. This is critical given the scale of the threat, but also the scale of the opportunity.”
The Foreign Secretary also committed to united Government team that will use the diplomatic and development weight of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to push for ambitious pledges on finance and reduced emissions at COP29.
This diplomatic weight will be reinforced by new UK Special Representatives for Climate Change and for Nature. These representatives will report to the Foreign Secretary, together with Ed Miliband and Steve Reed respectively, and will help to galvanise British engagement with partners across the world, forge genuine partnerships on climate change and mark a diplomatic drive to increase global ambition focused on clean power, climate finance, adaptation and resilience and biodiversity.
As the global community prepares for the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, by November 2024, a new study by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is igniting a fresh debate on the intersection of population growth and climate action.
Prof. Nyovani Madise, the Director of Development Policy and Head of AFIDEP Malawi
The research, published in the Vienna Yearbook of Population Research of the Vienna Institute of Demography and Austrian Academy of Sciences, highlights the potential of mainstreaming family planning into climate strategies as a way to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
While the focus of the climate crisis has largely been on high-income nations – whose per capita emissions and consumption patterns contribute disproportionately to global GHG emissions – the AFIDEP study calls for a broader perspective.
The research, led by Prof. Nyovani Madise, the Director of Development Policy and Head of AFIDEP Malawi, urges a closer examination of the role of population growth, particularly in rapidly expanding countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are expected to see significant population increases by 2050.
“There is no doubt that populous countries such as India, China, and Nigeria are major contributors to global emissions. However, evidence regarding the role of population growth in climate change is mixed,” said Prof. Nyovani. “While the current framework, which emphasises mitigation by high-income nations and adaptation by low-income, low-emitting countries, makes sense in the short term, it is insufficient to address the future impacts of rapid population growth.”
Economic Development and GHG Emissions
The study challenges the prevailing view that population growth is a secondary factor in climate change, overshadowed by industrial consumption patterns in wealthier countries. As Prof. Nyovani’s research points out, fast-growing, low-income nations are likely to follow the same unsustainable development paths taken by Western countries, leading to greater land use changes, increased demand for energy, and rising GHG emissions as these nations industrialise.
“These countries will not remain static in terms of their economic development. Rapid urbanisation and land-use changes to meet food and housing needs, coupled with increasing energy demands, will inevitably lead to greater environmental pressures,” the study notes.
The research critiques the dominant narrative promoted by climate justice movements, which emphasises the responsibility of high-income nations to bear the financial burden of global climate action. While such arguments have merit, Prof. Nyovani and her team argue that they overlook the critical role of population dynamics, particularly in fast-growing but poor African nations that are seen primarily as victims of climate-induced disasters.
A call for forward-looking investments
The AFIDEP research calls for development aid to focus on curbing population growth in a voluntary and ethical manner, helping couples achieve their desired family size while simultaneously addressing education, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. The study emphasises the importance of empowering younger populations – who tend to have lower per capita GHG emissions and are more likely to adopt sustainable consumption patterns – in shaping a climate-friendly future.
“Age structure matters. While older populations tend to have higher per capita energy consumption and are less likely to change their behaviors, younger populations represent an opportunity for a more sustainable path forward. Their fertility intentions can be shaped by climate-conscious policies, creating a generation that is more attuned to the environmental challenges of the future,” the researchers argue.
A controversial debate ahead of COP29
The timing of the research, released just ahead of COP29, is likely to stir controversy. Discussions about population control in the context of climate action have long been contentious. Past efforts, including policies promoting “population engineering” and fertility reductions, were abandoned due to ethical concerns and unintended consequences.
Despite this, the AFIDEP study revives the argument that addressing population growth – through voluntary, rights-based family planning initiatives – could be a key component in reducing future emissions, particularly in nations on the verge of significant economic expansion.
“Reducing childbearing is arguably a simpler and more effective strategy for lowering emissions than overhauling consumption patterns in already industrialised nations,” said Prof. Nyovani. “But this can only be achieved through empowering choices, not coercion.”
A global shift required
More than 100 countries have committed to reducing their GHG emissions by 45% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. However, current trends suggest the world is not on track to meet these targets, with global emissions projected to rise by 9% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.
While smaller countries like Bhutan, Suriname, and Panama have already achieved net zero emissions, the AFIDEP study stresses that without substantial financial and technological support, low-income countries will struggle to meet their food security and energy needs in a sustainable manner.
“If the world is serious about addressing both population growth and climate change, then development aid must prioritise investments in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and family planning in fast-growing, poor nations,” the researchers conclude. “Unfortunately, the financial support required for these up-front investments has yet to materialise.”
As COP29 approaches, the research is expected to fuel renewed discussions about how population dynamics and climate action should be integrated into global climate policies, offering a controversial but critical perspective on the future of sustainable development.
Mohamed Malick Fall is the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria. In this exclusive interview, he speaks on the need for a collective response to humanitarian crises in Nigeria, obstacles to humanitarian interventions, and the work of the United Nations, among others. UN OCHA Nigeria’s Head of Public Information, Ann Weru, and Public Information Officer, Dr. Chike Walter Duru, were there. Excerpts:
Mohamed Malick Fall, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria
Types of humanitarian issues in Nigeria
Different types of crises exist in Nigeria; some are linked to conflict and insecurity; there are those that are triggered by insurgency in the north-east, some are linked to intercommunal violence, herders/farmers clashes, abductions, kidnapping, banditry, prevalent in many parts of the country.
In addition, Nigeria has a certain level of climate vulnerability. Sometimes, drought; sometimes, floods; sometimes heat wave, that impact the wellbeing of people and sometimes trigger the movement of people, loss of property or loss of livelihood and they exacerbate the hardship that the people are facing.
How the UN is responding to the challenges
The UN has a two-fold response. One is the humanitarian response, which, to me, is guided by the principle of saving lives and reducing vulnerabilities; helping people, not only to get back on their feet, but also to have hope that they can have a better future.
The second component is the one that tackles the root causes of these crises. Most of those root causes are linked to deficits of development, lack of basic services, lack of livelihoods, lack of skills for young people and lack of access to employment. Those require much deeper action, which is building, not only on UN humanitarian intervention, but also on development-related activities, which will be looking at short, mid and long-term projects for the development of those people.
Obstacles to humanitarian interventions in Nigeria
We have several of them.
The biggest one is access, and sometimes, access is hampered by insecurity. There are many parts of the country without free and safe access because of the high level of insecurity that is still prevailing. This is valid for the north-east, where, despite all the efforts to push against the insurgency, you still see attacks like the recent ones in Konduga and Gwoza, which are sad reminders that it is not yet over. You have also insecurity prevailing in many other parts of the country.
Sometimes, access to the people in need is also difficult.
Funding gaps are also an issue, because, as you know, the world is overstretched by humanitarian challenges. For instance, we have gone past half of the year, but this year’s Nigerian Humanitarian Response Plan is funded below 50 per cent. We launched in May 2024, a Lean Season Plan, which targeted to address the most urgent needs of people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, but we are in the peak of the lean season, and we have not even reached 30 per cent of the funding we need. If you look at humanitarian funding year by year, you will see that it is declining. The level of response from the donor community is getting lower because of the competing developments across the world. The wars in Gaza, Sudan, and other regions have completely changed the funding landscape for humanitarian response.
The challenge of funding
There is a cost of doing nothing. People always look at things from the point of the cost of doing something. Let me take one example. In the Lean Season Plan, we are looking at addressing severe food insecurity and malnutrition. Today, look at the number of children that are malnourished. The survival of hundreds of thousands of severely acutely malnourished children and those at risk depends on urgent interventions.
In the Lean Season Plan, there is a projection of 230,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition during the lean season in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, alone. Their survival depends on the steps taken against the challenge.
The cost of inaction is that life is on the line. Children that survive acute malnutrition, from the fragile health conditions they have, may also face growth and development challenges throughout their lives. The cost of inaction is very expensive.
Way forward
I see several solutions around these challenges.
For funding, more innovative funding solutions are required. We must no longer rely on western countries as traditional donors.
A country like Nigeria is not poor. It is among the three biggest economies in Africa. It is increasingly urgent for the Government to allocate its own resources to the humanitarian response.
We also need to be more creative and see how we can make our humanitarian operations more efficient and more effective. There are many directions that need to be explored.
International Laws
Wherever you see conflict and war, it means that there are parties that do not believe in dialogue and in peaceful settlement of disputes.
For instance, the insurgents believe in extreme violence and terrorist actions. This is not peculiar to Nigeria. In the world, there are many wars taking place. Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and these are coming on top of previous crises. You have Somalia and Syria. The notion that any difference should be settled through arms and through guns amounts to pushing back on the principles of international laws. Many of the parties to conflict do not respect nor respond to the call of international humanitarian law.
How the UN is supporting displaced people and the most vulnerable
Whenever you see a crisis, those that pay the highest prices are the most vulnerable – the women, children, older persons, people living with disabilities, and that is why we prioritise them in our interventions. There are provisions in our interventions that prioritize the protection of children. There are also provisions that specially protect women from grave violations of their rights and from sexual violence. The rights of people living with disabilities are also protected.
For me, the humanitarian space is one of the few spaces where humanity has its expression. It is a place where you see actors daily, risking their lives to go and save lives, reduce vulnerability, protect and help people get back on their feet. It is also a space where you see host communities that are lacking in everything sharing the little, they have with people who are suffering or displaced. It is a place where you see Government and non-state actors getting together, to reduce vulnerability and save the lives of people. The work of humanitarians saving lives etc. has just one name – humanity prevailing.
Message for stakeholders
What we need to reduce the humanitarian needs in the world is for the people to go back to the principle of humanity.
If we act on preventing conflict, stopping conflicts, we will take away a huge number of people in humanitarian need.
At the same time, humanitarian needs are not only triggered by conflict; unfortunately, the way we treat our planet; the way we treat our ecosystems, the way we respond to the climate crisis that we are facing are also important issues.
We also have increased poverty and deeper inequalities. All of these are among the factors that trigger human suffering.
We need to address conflict, increased poverty, the climate crisis, and inequalities. If world leaders continue to push to address these issues and more, we will see a better world.
Members of the public should support humanitarian action. They should understand that it is not about humanitarian organisations and workers alone. It is about the entire society. The call here is the expression of humanity. It is a call to every human being. It takes mobilisation, commitment, awareness for every one of us to be part of that humanity.
