Nigeria-Climate change and conflict
By: Melanie Janse
Tags: Eco Warriors, Climate Change, Nigeria, Climate Pledge, Climate Justice

Floods from climate change are ravaging farms in Nigeria

The Nigerian economy is one of the largest in Africa, based primarily on the petroleum industry. Resource extraction plays an important part of the economy that includes minerals like crude oil, natural gas, coal, tin and columbite. Nigeria has been the victim of many oil spills, causing severe degradation in food security, affecting the health of communities and constricting access to food and clean water.

2020 marked the 60th year of independence for Nigeria and the end of colonial rule. Currently its the 7th most populous country with approximately 206mn people, and growing to 391mn by 2050.

It is now well understood that climate change affects the most vulnerable and it is evident in the extreme weather events and disasters experienced in Nigeria. Coupled with increased inequality, and a declining economy, Nigeria battles two wars simultaneously, climate change and conflict.

This conflict stems not only from Nigeria’s dependence on oil but also the increase in land scarcity, water shortage, significant displacements and hunger.

In 2012 unprecedented flooding affected 30 of the countries 36 states, with damages estimated at $16.9 billion. Farmlands were swept away, settlements destroyed which displaced 1.3 million people from their homes.

It is well document that there is now a deeper understanding between the relationship of climate change and armed conflict, especially in Nigeria where 70% of the labour force work on farmlands. With flooding affecting the little fertile lands that are left, all livelihoods are lost which in turn increase conflict.

This blogpost will celebrate the female eco-warriors in Nigeria, who despite the escalating conflict are fighting a different war, the war between man and nature.

Elevate Festival 2020 — Adenike Oladosu: Opening speech

Adenike Olandosu

“In Africa where I am from, climate change is leading to conflicts and it can lead to war. We have seen various environmental crises in Africa ranging from the Niger-Delta pollution, farmer-herdsmen crises, armed banditry and the rise of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin”

Adenike started her climate activist, eco-feminist journey when she joined the University of Agriculture, Markurdi earning a first-class degree in Agricultural economics. She witnessed farmlands being swept away due to flooding, the essence of the communities livelihoods being destroyed by climate change.

Her activist role started by educating communities and schools to plant more trees. Her passion for climate change made her the recipient of the Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International Nigeria and allowed her the stage at the 2019 UN youth climate summit to address world leaders.

Adenike is calling for a “modern concept of democracy that can fight environmental crises too, not just the human crises”. She is calling this the green democracy. She describes this “green democracy” as a long term solution, which embodies both environment and people. A green democracy that can counter the negative effects that man’s war on nature caused. A green democracy asking for system change to strike equality between people and the environment.

She is the founder of I Lead Climate, an initiative that focuses on community empowerment for sustainable development and climate education. She continues to fight for equality, security and peace-building across Africa. She inspires action through her many journal articles that she publish on medium and have an active following on Twitter.