Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has called for solutions to global climate challenges, saying Nigeria remains committed to combating the menace.
Shettima made this known during his keynote address at the symposium on climate change organised by the Climate Change Council of Nigeria Secretariat and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
The symposium, with the theme: “Intersecting Works of Climate Change, Mangrove, and Art,” was held at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos.
The Vice President, who was represented by the Special Adviser to Mr President on National Economic Council and Climate Change, Mrs. Rukayat El-Rufai.
He noted that all hands must be on the deck to address the issue.
“Climate change is not a distant threat; it is our lived reality. Each of you in this room, whether you craft policy or canvas, invest capital or work with communities, have witnessed its impacts, and felt the urgency. We can no longer afford to work in silos.
“That is why this symposium’s theme is so timely. It calls on us to think outside the box and work together in new ways.
“I stand before you not just as a public official, but as a fellow citizen who worries about the world, we will leave for future generations.
Shettima stressed the need for a global solution to tackle climate change challenges for economic growth and development.
“The climate crisis knows no borders, a flood in Lagos, or a hurricane in the Caribbean, a drought in the Horn of Africa will affect all.
The Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mr Simon Stiell, in his remarks, said Nigeria was blessed with natural resources vital for clean energy.
“It is abundantly clear now that the countries who will seize the biggest benefits of the two trillion dollar global boom in clean energy are those that invest in their people and their strengths.
“A new, strong national climate plan or Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement can supercharge the Nigerian economy, with green growth and sustainable development.
“With 90 per cent of Nigerians employed in micro, small, and medium enterprises, the ripple effects of green growth will be felt in every community and economy.
He explained that just as clean energy presents a massive opportunity, the risks and costs of climate inaction are already being felt.
“From floods in the south to droughts and desertification in the north, climate impacts are already carving up to five per cent of the GDP,” he said.
In his remark, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, welcomed Stiell to Nigeria, noting that his presence “reaffirms our shared commitment to fostering environmental resilience through collaboration and innovation”.
Secretary to Lagos State Government, represented by Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, noted that “Our mangroves nature’s silent protectors serve as vital barriers against coastal erosion, carbon sinks that purify our air, and thriving ecosystems that sustain biodiversity and livelihoods. Yet these invaluable resources face mounting threats from urbanization, pollution, and deforestation.
“The event represents a fusion of culture, creativity, and commitment to addressing one of the most urgent challenges of our time: climate change. Through art, we witness a powerful medium for advocacy, a means to highlight the fragility of our natural ecosystems while inspiring action.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, in his remarks, said the event represented a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to raise awareness, and foster collaboration towards environmental sustainability in Lagos State.
“The theme is particularly relevant to Lagos State, a coastal megacity on the frontline of climate change impacts.
“As a city defined by its waterways, with an extensive coastline and an intricate network of lagoons and rivers, Lagos is home to mangrove forests that serve as a natural treasure.
“These ecosystems act as protective barriers against coastal erosion, absorb carbon emissions, and provide habitats for diverse marine life.
“Unfortunately, these invaluable ecosystems face increasing threats from deforestation, pollution, and rapid urbanisation,” he said.
He added that the degradation of the mangroves exacerbated these challenges.
“We cannot afford to stand by while our natural defences disappear.