Southern Nigeria is losing between 30 to 40 meters of land to coastal erosion every year, a crisis that demands urgent intervention, according to the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
The Minister made the revelation in a statement on Thursday issued by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency, Felix Ale.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security in London, Nnaji highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Nigeria’s landscape.
“With desertification advancing at 0.6 kilometers per year in northern Nigeria, and coastal erosion eating up 30-40 meters of land annually in the south, the stakes have never been higher,” he stated.
He described the situation as alarming, warning that environmental degradation is exacerbating food insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation. “We cannot afford to let climate inaction dictate our food security future,” he said, calling for urgent action.
Nigeria is implementing several climate-smart initiatives under the Nigeria Living Lands Initiative to combat environmental degradation while enhancing agricultural productivity.
One of the key interventions is integrated climate-smart agriculture and land restoration, which targets the restoration of 50,000 hectares of degraded land while generating between $2,000 and $3,000 per hectare in farmer income.
“Climate-smart greenhouses are being established to enable year-round crop production, ensuring food stability despite changing weather patterns,” Nnaji revealed.
He added that the government is promoting bamboo value chain development to support eco-friendly construction and sustainable livelihoods.
Another major initiative includes the methanol fuel production and clean cooking program, which aims to expand the adoption of low-pressure compressed natural gas to replace biomass and fossil fuel dependency.
“A staggering 90 per cent of Nigerian households still depend on biomass and fossil fuels for cooking. This program will significantly reduce our reliance on them while promoting cleaner energy alternatives,” the minister said.
The government is also developing an integrated biodigester network to transform organic waste into biogas and fertilizers.
According to Nnaji, “This project will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 tons annually but also provide clean energy to over 10,000 households.”
He underscored the importance of climate finance in sustaining these projects, stressing that Nigeria is leveraging financial mechanisms such as green bonds and climate resilience funds to scale up interventions.
“Climate finance is a catalyst for sustainable land use and national development,” he noted.
The Minister urged Commonwealth nations to simplify access to international climate funding, arguing that current bureaucratic processes limit the capacity of developing nations to respond effectively to climate challenges.
“We need streamlined processes that allow countries like Nigeria to access the necessary funds without unnecessary delays,” he emphasized.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is aligning its policies with global sustainability goals. Executive Order No. 5, which provides a framework for accelerating technology adoption in agriculture, energy, and industry, is a crucial part of this strategy.
“This policy strengthens inter-ministerial collaboration to enhance resource mobilization and policy execution while prioritizing sustainable food systems in national planning and international partnerships,” Nnaji stated.
Calling for deeper Commonwealth cooperation, the Minister proposed the establishment of a Commonwealth Center for Climate-Smart Agriculture, improved access to climate finance, and increased youth and women empowerment in agritech innovation.
“This is a shared responsibility,” he declared. “We must rise to the challenge and move forward together.”
As the Commonwealth shapes the future of sustainable development, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in climate innovation. “Together, we can build a climate-resilient, food-secure, and prosperous future for all,” Nnaji added.
