Nigeria’s Ecological Crisis: Stakeholders Call for Action

Abuja, Nigeria – The second  Nigeria Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence has ended with a strong call to action for the government to address the country’s escalating ecological challenges.

The one-day national conference, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on July 14, 2025, brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, social movements, and communities to share knowledge and develop strategies for tackling the country’s socio-ecological crises.

The convergence observed that Nigeria faces a litany of ecological challenges, including oil and gas extraction, mining, deforestation, climate change, and its fallouts, which have devastating impacts on communities and the environment.

Participants noted that despite these challenges, governments at all levels have not demonstrated willingness to address these issues and ameliorate the suffering and threats faced by the people.

The conference identified key issues, including the lack of resource democracy, exclusion, and limited participation of citizens in environmental decision-making, and the failure of the Nigerian state to hold corporations accountable for their damaging ecological footprints.

Below are  15 key points/ demands  in the communique produced at convergence.

1. Aggressive afforestation and reforestation initiatives to address drought and desertification.

2. Protection of wetlands and implementation of flood control measures.

3. Reduction of fossil extraction footprints and establishment of frameworks to mitigate climate change impacts.

4. Enforcement of mining regulations and seeking free, prior, and informed consent of affected indigenous people.

5. Conducting an ecological audit of the Niger Delta region.

6. Completing the ongoing divestment process with accountability.

7. Job transitioning, environmental remediation, adequate compensation, and improving access to clean energy as core facets of Nigeria’s energy transition policy.

8. Protection of reserve areas and promotion of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

9. Increased support for small-holder farmers and encouragement of agroecology.

10. Respect for the Rights of Nature and assignment of personality and value to critical environmental assets.

11. Ban on Genetically Modified Organisms in food systems.

12. Rejection of false solutions to climate change, such as REDD+ and blue carbon.

13. Government accountability for ecological footprints of corporations.

14. Community participation and inclusion in environmental decision-making.

15. Review and improvement of environmental policies to address socio-ecological challenges.

These points aim to address various ecological challenges facing Nigeria and promote sustainable development.