Nigeria's Climate Concern And Impacts On Insecurity

-

 


Regarding Nigeria's importance in Africa, it is easy to understand the world's interest in the affairs that occur regarding the highly populated nation. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse federation of 36 autonomous states, and the Federal Capital Territory. It is popularly described as the giant of Africa due to its high population and leading economy in Africa (World Bank, 2023). Nigeria, on the other hand, is not popular with its self-sufficiency and social security. Merriam- Webster defines self-sufficiency and social security as being able to maintain oneself or itself without outside aid: capable of providing for one's own needs (Merriam-Webster, 2023). Despite being Africa's largest oil and gas producer, Nigeria has a problem of relying almost entirely on expensive imports to meet its gasoline needs. Nigeria currently has four state-owned refineries, but they have become dilapidated and idle due to mismanagement (Kohlmann & Schwikowski, 2023). In 2021, Nigeria exported around $41.8B in Crude Petroleum. The main destinations of Nigeria's exports of Crude Petroleum were India ($8.11B), Spain ($5.38B), the United States ($2.84B), France ($2.55B), and South Africa ($2.17B) (OEC, 2021). The large volume of exported crude oil tells how Nigeria consequently imports most of its refined oil and exemplifies on its lack of self-sufficiency.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line (World Bank Group, 2020). The high poverty leads to the citizens needing external support to live sustainably and support their families. Many Nigerians can survive and support themselves through a number of government programs and NGO (Non- Governmental Organisation) assistance, as well as their informal economic activities. The Nigerian social security program is seen to be considerably limited and opaque. The nation has an administration called the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund which provides various benefits and services to eligible contributors, including pension benefits and maternity benefits, to name a couple (Ademola et al., 2023). The setbacks of low funding, poor management and government corruption make it difficult for Nigerians to rely on this support system or even claim it.

Nigeria's climate and environmental issues have made self-sufficiency more difficult, as some issues have been seen to appear in many communities. Climate change is a significant issue in Africa, with the continent particularly vulnerable to its effects. The climate situation is an issue the United Nations and other organisations take very seriously, and many scientists have argued that action is greatly needed (UN, Climate Change 2023). Nigeria has faced droughts and intense flooding in many areas, with extreme weather indications being more common in recent years (Prevention-Web, 2022). Extreme weather and other intense environmental occurrences could have a devastating effect on the nation's agriculture and habitability, which could translate to even more worry regarding the self-sufficiency of the citizens.

The climate change situation in Nigeria is not a recent event but is becoming increasingly popular and a topic of much importance. There are not many known works on the influence the climate change situation has on the influence of citizen's self-sufficiency and social security; however, there are similar research papers that analyse the relations to food security and public health (Wright et al., 2020) which are relevant for this article. The limits of the social security provided by the Nigerian Government to a population of 200 million plus citizens make the curiosity of how much of an impact climate change will have crucial. Demographic projections show that the Nigerian population might experience a constant increase in the next decades. By 2050, it is forecast that the population will grow to over 377 million people compared to 2022 (Sasu, 2022). The high population growth rate elaborates the importance of the topic, especially if the climate change risk has a major influence on the social security and self-sufficiency of the citizens. Moreover, the findings could also be used as an indication for other African nations and a guide on the possible future of the people.

#StayTunedForMore

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Boko Haram Strikes ..... Again: Has Nigeria Grown Complacent in the Face of Terror?

-
Image
The village of Mafa, in Yobe State, once again found itself the target of a brutal Boko Haram attack. On September 1, 2024, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) descended on the village, killing more than 170 people, according to local reports. Despite previous threats, government assurances led villagers to return to their homes . In the aftermath of the attack, questions have arisen about whether Nigerians and their leaders have become desensitized to these tragic events. Mafa, like many communities in north-eastern Nigeria, has long been a battleground in the fight against Boko Haram and its splinter groups. In late July, after receiving threats from ISWAP, the village was evacuated. Residents fled to nearby Babban Gida, hoping to escape the violence that has plagued the region for over a decade. However, after receiving reassurances from local officials that the area was safe, most of Mafa's residents returned—only to be met with devastating consequenc
Read more

Tariye Gbadegesin's CEO Appointment at CIF: Unveiling New Avenues for Business-Driven Climate Investment

-
Image
  The recent appointment of Tariye Gbadegesin as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) is poised to redefine the landscape of climate finance from a business investment perspective. As the first African to helm this role, Gbadegesin brings a wealth of experience in infrastructure and climate finance, signalling a strategic shift for CIF and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable business investments.  Currently serving as the CEO of ARM Harith Infrastructure Investments, a pan-African infrastructure fund, Gbadegesin's expertise lies in structuring and delivering large-scale energy, infrastructure, and industrial investments. With over $3 billion in projects under her belt, her track record positions her as a trailblazer in mobilizing private capital for climate action.   Established in 2008, CIF has been a key player in mobilizing concessional finance for low-carbon, climate-resilient development. Despite its success, challenges exist, especia
Read more

Africa's Complex Stance on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict

-
Image
The Israel-Palestinian conflict has woven a complex web in Africa, where historical ties, evolving economic interests, and geopolitical considerations have led to a divided stance. In the 1960s, as African countries shed the yoke of brutal colonial rule, they passionately aligned with the Palestinian movement in solidarity against Israel. The struggle of Palestinians uprooted from their land and homes in 1948 resonated deeply with a continent grappling with its history of oppression and resistance. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) severed ties with Israel after the 1973 October War, reflecting the widespread sympathy for the Palestinian cause. Algeria, in particular, emerged as a prominent critic of Israel on the continent. This strong stance can be traced back to historical connections. Algeria's ties to Palestine run deep, with a historical backdrop that includes the 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence in Algiers. The shared Islamic faith and a history marred by F
Read more