Assalama Sidi, Regional Director for West and Central Africa at Oxfam International, revealed at the Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja that Nigeria lost approximately 50% of its agricultural produce to climate change in 2023.
This significant loss resulted in a staggering $2.12 billion deficit, exacerbating food insecurity and inflation.
Sidi emphasized the need for increased investment to mitigate climate change’s impact on Nigerian citizens. Climate change is disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, who face heightened impacts during hunger crises. The agricultural sector, which traditionally employed 70% of Nigeria’s workforce, is now in decline due to climate challenges.
Climate Change Disparities in Africa
Africa, particularly the Sahel region, has a per capita carbon emission six times lower than the global average. However, temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster in West Africa, leading to severe flooding, droughts, and significant declines in agricultural yields.
This disparity highlights the unfair treatment of poor African nations, forced to incur debt to address climate change consequences while global polluters fail to uphold their Paris Agreement commitments.
Call for Climate Justice
Sidi condemned this injustice, stating that countries like Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon must borrow money from polluters to address climate change, increasing their debt. She advocated for climate justice, insisting that polluters bear their fair share of climate impact costs.
The resulting food inflation surged to 40% in March 2024, disproportionately affecting those living on less than two dollars a day. As the world grapples with climate change, it is essential to prioritize climate justice and support vulnerable communities like Nigeria.
According to the World Bank, global food price inflation remains high, with 77.3% of low-income countries experiencing inflation above 5%.
The international community must work together to address climate change and ensure food security for all.