650,000 Nigerian Children Displaced in Climate Crisis
In a recent press release on the 2023 World Children’s Day, UNICEF has revealed that floods have forced the displacement of 650,000 Nigerian children, positioning the country as the second most affected globally by climate change impacts on children.
The displacement, occurring from 2016 to 2023, poses a severe threat to over 110 million Nigerian children, exposing them to risks such as rising temperatures, floods, droughts, and severe storms, according to the United Nations Children’s Education Fund.
Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, stressed the critical need for a swift and inclusive response, particularly in decision-making and implementation, with a focus on the needs of vulnerable populations, especially children and women.
Christian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, emphasized the necessity of providing a platform for children to voice their concerns about climate change, fostering a collective path towards a sustainable future.
The launch of the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) in Nigeria took place at Evolution Hotel, Gombe, where stakeholders in education, the environment, media, and relevant organizations convened. UNICEF Bauchi Field Office streamed the event live, highlighting key climate risks to children and outlining multi-sectoral climate actions planned for Nigeria from 2023–2027.
Notable attendees included UNICEF officials, Gombe’s Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Umar Maigari, the Project Coordinator of Agro-Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), and various stakeholders, including journalists and peace advocates.
Veteran journalists Farida Muhammad Dunemia, Alhaji Usman Shehu, Alhaji Aliyu Ardo, and others from Pathway to Peace DW Academia were also present at the launch in Gombe.
Following the launch, UNICEF, in collaboration with Gombe State Ministry of Education, ACReSAL, and Pathway to Peace DW Academia, organized an inter-school quiz competition on climate change. The Commissioner encouraged students to view the competition as a valuable learning opportunity about climate issues.
Commending UNICEF for the CLAC initiative and the inter-school competition, Maigari called for sustained efforts in supporting interventions for children, aiming to create a lasting legacy in addressing the impacts of climate change.
