The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji, has revealed that the southern part of Nigeria is losing between 30 to 40 meters of land annually to coastal erosion. The disclosure was made during the Commonwealth Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security in London, as reported by Mr. Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
Describing the situation as alarming, Minister Nnaji warned that environmental degradation is exacerbating food insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation. He emphasized the urgent need for action to address the growing threat of coastal erosion, which is displacing communities and destroying arable land.
Despite the challenges, the Minister assured that Nigeria is implementing several climate-smart initiatives under the Nigeria Living Lands Initiative to combat environmental degradation while enhancing agricultural productivity. These efforts aim to restore degraded lands, promote sustainable farming practices, and build resilience against climate change.
Minister Nnaji underscored the importance of climate finance in sustaining these projects, highlighting Nigeria’s use of financial mechanisms such as green bonds and climate resilience funds to scale up interventions. He called for increased international support and collaboration to address the dual challenges of climate change and food security.
The Minister’s remarks at the Commonwealth Roundtable reflect Nigeria’s commitment to tackling environmental issues and ensuring sustainable development. However, the scale of the problem underscores the need for urgent and coordinated action to protect vulnerable communities and secure the country’s future.
