Balarabe Lawal, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, has raised alarm over the dire impact of climate change on Lake Chad, emphasizing the urgent need for global cooperation to address the crisis.
Speaking on Tuesday during a press briefing organized by African ministers at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Lawal highlighted the devastating effects of climate change, which have led to the rapid shrinkage of Lake Chad, once among the world’s largest lakes.
“Lake Chad is disappearing due to climate change,” Lawal noted. “This is not a challenge for Nigeria, Chad, Niger, or Cameroon alone—it is a global issue that requires collective action.”
The minister outlined the broader environmental challenges facing African nations, including Nigeria, and urged developed countries to fulfill their financial commitments to mitigate climate impacts.
On deforestation, Lawal revealed alarming statistics, stating that Nigeria’s forest reserve stands at a mere three percent, far below the international standard of 25 percent. He attributed this to issues such as desert encroachment in the north and rising sea levels in the south, both exacerbated by climate change.
“We have seen devastating floods in Nigeria, and our forest cover is among the worst globally,” he said. “The environmental crises we face are stark and demand immediate attention.”
Lawal also expressed concerns over the slow pace of negotiations on climate finance at COP29, describing the process as increasingly elusive.
The high-level climate summit, which began on November 11, is set to conclude on November 22. It has brought together global leaders, experts, and activists to discuss strategies for tackling climate change and its effects.
