The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malik Fall has described the climate crisis in Africa as more than just an environmental issue but a human rights emergency.
He made this assertion at the Regional African Human Rights Academic Conference which held in Abuja.
Fall emphasized that rising temperatures, extreme weather events and environmental degradation were having severe consequences particularly on vulnerable populations within the African region.
He highlighted how climate change disproportionately affects Communities in Africa already facing Socio- Economic challenges, thereby escalating issues relating to human rights of persons in those communities.
He therefore called for urgent action to address climate - related challenges and ensure that policies prioritize justice for those most affected.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief host of the conference, Professor Festus Ukwueze, Dean Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria Nsuka ( UNN) stated that the theme of the 2025 conference had been carefully chosen to focus on the intersectionality of environmental degradation, climate change and human services.
According to Professor Ukwueze, the earth had been witnessing climate change caused by human activities sadly leading to droughts, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, increasing temperatures. These, he added, were not only becoming more frequent but more intense.
Climate change according to the Professor of Law is largely attributable to environmental degradation such as deforestation and other forms of pollution leading to the emission of green house gases.
The attendant implication is threat to the enjoyment of globally recognized freedoms and rights including the right to life, health, food, development and adequate standard of living for individuals and communities not only presently but for the future generations" he declared.
The Dean, Faculty of Law, therefore affirmed that the conference's theme will afford participants the opportunity to engage with the multifarious impact of climate change and environmental pollution on human rights and how to catalyse access to environmental justice within the extant African and Sub-Regional systems.
Concluding, the chief host thanked the Raul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) for the opportunity to lead this year's conference, stating that the theme fits into the motto of the UNN Nsuka which is "To restore the dignity of life".
He also expressed profound gratitude to the NHRC for accepting to Co-host the event, without which he noted, it would have been an arduous task for the university especially considering the proximity between the University and the Federal Capital Territory, where the event held.
In his welcome address the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Dr.Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN expressed appreciation to the Raul Wallenberg Institute and the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria Nsuka for the opportunity to jointly co host the Conference adding that the event served as an important platform for dialogue and collaboration in the ongoing efforts to address climate change and it's intersections with human rights.
Speaking further, the Executive Secretary stated that the NHRC recognizes that climate change is threatening lives and livelihoods, the very essence of human dignity and the fall outs of this challenge mostly affect vulnerable communities, particularly those who are marginalized and impoverished.
As a Commission, we will establish a climate change unit with the aim of promoting advocacy, building a community of practice of human rights and climate change, as well as facilitate collaboration and networking, to address the undeniable impact of climate change on human rights.
The Regional Director of the Raul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for Africa, Rakel Larsen expressed optimism that contributions and inputs of participants will be valuable in coming up with policies that will alleviate the human rights challenges associated with climate change within the African region.
The Director General and Chief Executive of the National Council on climate change Secretariat, Dr Nkiruka Madueke, declared the conference open and presented copies of the Nigeria's Climate Change Act 2021 to the Executive Secretary NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, congratulating him for creating the climate change unit, which she noted, was in fulfilment of the Climate Change Act 2021.
According to the DG, the comprehensive legislation was aimed at addressing climate change and it's impact on the country, concluding therefore that Nigeria has a unique opportunity to be a leading voice in climate change justice.
The conference which brought together scholars, policy makers and human rights advocates engaged in a three day brainstorming sessions on the theme with the overall objective of finding lasting solutions to the challenge of climate change.
