Nigerian Climate Advocates Demand Global Grants, Debt Relief, New Environmental Law

Climate advocates in Nigeria are urging world leaders to provide grants rather than loans for climate adaptation efforts across Africa. They are also calling on lawmakers at home to pass a landmark environmental bill that aims to protect communities, ecosystems, and public health.

Speaking at a civil society and media workshop on climate adaptation in Abuja, Dr. Michael David, Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), warned that climate change is already crippling agriculture and threatening livelihoods across the continent.

“Recurrent floods, shorter dry spells, and unpredictable rainfall are disrupting farming, driving food inflation, and putting millions at risk,” David stated. “Loans are no longer a solution. What Africa needs is grants, debt cancellation, and direct support for communities.”

He emphasised that Africa requires an estimated $53 billion annually to build resilient infrastructure, support smallholder farmers, and achieve food sovereignty. “We cannot continue borrowing money for adaptation projects that are destroyed by climate disasters while our people remain burdened with debt. There should be zero loans for climate adaptation,” he added.

Citing reports that only $11 billion in adaptation finance has reached Africa since 2021, he described this figure as “far too small considering the magnitude of the crisis.” He also called for a shift in funding priorities from mitigation to adaptation, noting that “to withstand climate change, we must adapt, and that requires the right financing.”

In addition to calling for global support, Gloria Agema, Program Director of the Gee Foundation for Social Justice and Development, highlighted the importance of strong domestic governance through the Environmental, Social, and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) Bill 2025, currently before the National Assembly.

“In an age where sustainability is paramount, the ESHIA Bill represents a landmark piece of legislation,” Agema said. “It protects ecosystems, ensures free and informed community participation, and guarantees that development will not compromise public health or the environment.”

The bill seeks to replace the outdated 2004 Environmental Impact Assessment Act with stricter penalties—including fines ranging from N10 million to N50 million for violators—while creating a new national agency to monitor and enforce compliance. It also embeds international best practices, such as Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for communities, along with disaster risk reduction measures.

Agema stressed that civil society organisations (CSOs), citizens, and the media must unite to demand the bill’s swift passage: “It is our duty to ensure this bill does not gather dust on a shelf. Strong oversight, accountability, and enforcement are essential to protecting lives and ensuring that Nigeria’s development aligns with global standards.”

David emphasised that international financing must be paired with robust domestic legislation to protect Africa from the increasing threats of climate change.

“Adaptation and strong environmental governance are inseparable,” he said. “Without urgent action, Africa’s most vulnerable communities will continue to suffer the worst impacts of climate disasters. The future of our children depends on the choices we make today,” David stated.