ActionAids raises concern on increasing climate change crisis, food insecurity

 

ActionAids Nigeria has expressed the need for the country to take proactive action against the increasing climate crisis and food insecurity that have been driving more people into poverty.

In a press release made available to mark the 2025 World Day of Social Justice last weekend, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu posited that economic report by the government must be easily interpreted in the lives and well-being of the citizens before it could be really celebrated adding that food insecurity is pushing people into more poverty.

The statement noted that the negative impact of climate change crisis on small-scale farmers with unpredictable rainfall, prolonged drought, and devastating floods that were destroying farmlands with nothing but low support for climate-resilient agriculture, adding this should be a greater concern to the Government.

The Country Director punctured the claims of the Government on economic rebasing as not reflecting a positive impact on the well-being of Nigerians saying " The reality on the ground paints a grim picture- soaring inflation at 34.6% as of December 2024, a weakened naira averaging N1, 600/$, sluggish GDP growth at 2.9%, and staggering public debt exceeding $50 billion accounting for over 40% of GDP"

He stressed further that " Despite increasing public expenditures essential services remain unfunded, infrastructure is deteriorating, and over 133 million Nigerians are trapped in multi-dimensional poverty"

" These economic challenges not only deepen inequality but also jeopardize the future of young people and future generations. Without deliberate investment in climate-resilient public services and improved socio-economic policies, economic growth remains a mere statistics disconnected from citizens' daily struggle " Madedu said.

The ActionAids Nigeria in the statement called on Government and private investors to divest from harmful fossil fuel and industrial agriculture projects into renewable energy and agroecological solutions to promote food security and social justice.

The statement ascribed that " Agroecology offers a sustainable, climate-resilient farming method that benefits both people and the planet. It improves soil health, reduces reliance on synthetic fossil-fuel-based fertilizers, and increases farmers’ productivity and profits while lowering emissions"