At the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) organized a pivotal side event where the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE, addressed the growing challenges of climate change in Nigeria.
The Minister highlighted the dual crises facing the country: coastline erosion in the South, which threatens the livelihoods of communities in the Niger Delta, and desertification and drought in the North, which jeopardize food security and agriculture.
Speaking passionately about the urgent need for action, Engr. Momoh emphasized the importance of a sustainable and inclusive strategy to combat these challenges. He outlined the need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable regions and called for stronger international support to achieve meaningful results.
In his appeal to global stakeholders, the Minister urged for increased climate financing, highlighting that Nigeria’s adaptation and mitigation plans require substantial resources. “The environmental challenges we face are immense, and addressing them demands significant global collaboration. Nigeria needs enhanced funding to safeguard lives, ecosystems, and livelihoods,” he stated.
The side event attracted international climate experts, policymakers, and development partners, reinforcing the need for global solidarity in addressing climate change, particularly in developing nations like Nigeria.