Experts at the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit call for stronger, faith-based advocacy to address Nigeria’s environmental challenges. The summit, hosted by CODE, emphasized collaborative efforts for climate justice. It highlighted the impact of recent flooding on agriculture and public health and presented strategic policy recommendations for utilizing faith communities in climate action.
Experts and clergymen from Nigeria’s Christian and Islamic communities emphasize the importance of faith-based advocacy for effective climate action. They made these calls at the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit held by Connected Development (CODE) in Abuja. The participants stressed the urgency for collaborative efforts to protect the environment for future generations while addressing challenges posed by climate change and unsustainable practices.
The summit also unveiled the first Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Report & Policy Brief, which outlines strategic messaging and policy recommendations focusing on faith-driven climate action. The event aimed to empower faith and community leaders to advocate for climate justice and improve communication strategies using religious influence.
Increasingly severe weather events have impacted Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods, with recent flooding leading to significant losses. In 2024, Nigeria’s disaster management agency, NEMA, reported floods that killed over 303 individuals, affected more than 1.2 million people, and damaged substantial farmland across the nation. The persistent flooding reveals critical infrastructure inadequacies that, if addressed, could mitigate climate-related impacts.
During the summit, CODE’s CEO Hamzat Lawal pointed out that faith-based advocacy is essential for addressing climate change’s repercussions in Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to seek justice and prioritize Nigeria in global climate dialogues to secure suitable resources for adaptation efforts.
George Ehusani, Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, underscored the need for significant changes in environmental policy. He lamented the pervasive pollution and inadequate waste management in Nigeria, calling for urgent policy action to combat the deterioration of environmental conditions. Ehusani stressed that collaboration among religious organizations, civil society, and citizens is vital to press policymakers to prioritize climate action.
Muhammad Nurudeen, Executive Director of Da’awah Institute, highlighted the pressing environmental crisis and the shared duty of religious leaders to promote environmental stewardship. He argued that faith can inspire concrete action towards justice and sustainability, calling for education and advocacy from faith leaders to address climate-related challenges effectively. He stressed that our shared responsibility to safeguard the Earth transcends religious and ethnic divisions, focusing on the necessity for immediate action against misinformation and environmental degradation.
In conclusion, the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit reaffirmed the critical role of faith-based advocacy in tackling climate challenges in Nigeria. With climate impacts worsening and significant policy recommendations emerging from the summit, it is evident that religious communities must mobilize their resources and influence to advocate for climate justice and responsible stewardship of the environment. Immediate action and collaboration across faiths and civil society are essential to create sustainable solutions for the future.
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