Climate change identified as major threat to security, livelihood in Niger Delta

Stakeholders in the environmental sector have warned that climate change poses a significant threat to the economic livelihood and security of the Niger Delta. This was highlighted during the Policy Roundtable on Advancing Climate Resilience, Climate-Sensitive Peacebuilding and Human Security, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The event brought together government agencies, environmentalists, civil society organizations, and representatives of climate-vulnerable communities. The panelists emphasized that flooding, coastal erosion, and livelihood losses are exacerbating human insecurity and resource-based tensions in the region. Dr. David Udofia, PIND's Peacebuilding Programme Manager, stressed that climate change should be recognized as a major factor in poverty and insecurity, as it exacerbates the consequences of environmental degradation.

He argued that climate change is increasingly becoming a livelihood, peace, and human-security challenge in the Niger Delta. To tackle this issue, PIND called for climate resilience to be integrated into peacebuilding, development planning, and environmental governance across the region. A Policy Brief on Climate Change and Human Security in the Niger Delta was presented at the event, highlighting the impact of flooding, coastal erosion, irregular rainfall, and environmental degradation on agricultural and fishing productivity, livelihoods, and resource competition.

Participants discussed practical strategies to protect climate-sensitive livelihoods, enhance community adaptation, improve environmental governance, and prevent climate-related pressures from escalating conflicts. Local officials emphasized the need for coordinated action among government, communities, the private sector, and development institutions to address the climate-security challenge.