The Minister of Environment, Malami Balarabe Abbas Lawal, on Wednesday, at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, said that healthy collaboration among critical stakeholders in the environmental sector is crucial to tackling the challenges posed by climate change.

Speaking during an international conference 2025 titled “Accelerating Climate Action for Sustainable Livelihood in Nigeria,” Lawal, who was represented virtually by Dr Iniobong Abiola Awe, said it is imperative to address growing desertification and drought ravaging the north and coastal encroachment in the south.

The conference was organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences of OAU.

Describing climate change as a defining issue with global implications, Lawal contended that urgent and collaborative action should be intensified to mitigate its effects, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss.

While noting that climate-related impacts are already being felt worldwide, impacting agriculture, human health, ecosystems, livelihood and economies, Lawal maintained that “this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach, including research and development, technology innovation, policy changes, and community engagement.”

He said, “Nigeria faces multiple environmental challenges; in the north, desertification and drought have severely impacted livelihoods dependent on agriculture and pastoralism, resulting in farmers and herdsmen clashes, which have undermined food security and economic stability in the region.”

“In Southern Nigeria, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and flooding threaten densely populated areas, including major coastal cities. These conflicts often disrupt livelihoods, destroy infrastructure, and create a hostile environment for communities. As a result, many people are forced to flee their homes in search of safety and economic opportunities,” Lawal posited.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of OAU, Professor A.S. Bamire, noted that Nigeria faces an escalating climate crisis that demands immediate attention, pointing out that within these challenges lie immense socioeconomic opportunities to transform the nation.

He stated, “Whilst we curtail carbon emissions, especially in the energy, transport, and agricultural sectors, Nigeria possesses vast renewable energy potential, enough solar energy to power the entire African continent, abundant wind resources, and biogas possibilities that could transform our energy landscape.

“We have the demographic dividend of a young, innovative population eager to embrace sustainable solutions. Most importantly, we have institutions like this great university, where knowledge meets action, research transforms into policy, and where the seeds of sustainable development are sown.”