Climate advocates in Nigeria have called on world leaders to provide grants, not loans, for climate adaptation in Africa, while urging domestic lawmakers to pass a landmark environmental bill aimed at protecting communities, ecosystems, and public health.
Speaking at a civil society and media workshop on climate adaptation in Abuja, Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), Dr. Michael David, warned that climate change is crippling agriculture and threatening livelihoods across the continent. “Recurrent floods, shorter dry spells, and unpredictable rainfall are disrupting farming, driving food inflation, and putting millions at risk,” he said. “Loans are no longer a solution. What Africa needs are grants, debt cancellation, and direct support for communities.”
David explained that Africa requires about $53 billion annually to build resilient infrastructure, support smallholder farmers, and achieve food sovereignty. He stressed that borrowing for adaptation projects only compounds debt, as disasters often wipe out investments. “We cannot continue borrowing money for adaptation projects that are destroyed by climate disasters, while our people remain saddled with the debt. There should be zero loans for climate adaptation,” he added.
He described the $11 billion in adaptation finance that has reached Africa since 2021 as “far too small considering the scale of the crisis.” He further called for a rebalancing of climate finance away from mitigation and toward adaptation, noting, “For us to live through climate change, we must adapt and that requires the right financing.”
In addition to calls for global financial support, participants also pressed for stronger domestic environmental governance. Gloria Agema, Program Director of the Gee Foundation for Social Justice and Development, highlighted the Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) Bill 2025 currently before the National Assembly as a transformative step. “In an age where sustainability is paramount, the ESHIA Bill is a landmark piece of legislation,” Agema said. “It protects ecosystems, ensures free and informed community participation, and guarantees that development will not compromise public health or the environment.”
The proposed bill would replace the 2004 Environmental Impact Assessment Act with tougher measures, including fines ranging from N10 million to N50 million for violators, and the creation of a new national agency to monitor and enforce compliance. It also incorporates international best practices, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for communities and disaster risk reduction provisions.
Agema urged civil society organizations, citizens, and the media to press for its swift passage. “It is our duty to ensure this bill does not sit on a shelf. Strong oversight, accountability, and enforcement are the keys to protecting lives and ensuring Nigeria’s development aligns with global standards,” she stated.
Dr. David stressed that international financing must be complemented by strong domestic laws to safeguard Africa against escalating climate threats. “Adaptation and strong environmental governance are inseparable. Without urgent action, Africa’s most vulnerable communities will keep suffering the worst impacts of climate disasters. The future of our children depends on the choices we make today,” he said.
