The National Human Rights Commission has declared climate change a growing human rights emergency in Nigeria, warning that rising temperatures, flooding, drought and displacement are stripping millions of citizens of their rights to life, food, shelter and dignity.

At the inauguration of a new National Working Group on Human Rights and Climate Change in Abuja, Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu said climate change has evolved beyond an environmental issue into a humanitarian and rights crisis requiring urgent coordinated action, noting that flood victims, displaced farmers and children forced out of school by environmental disasters are all victims of rights violations needing institutional protection. He said the new group, formed jointly with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Council on Climate Change, will bring together government bodies, civil society and academics to mainstream human rights into climate policy.

Representing Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal, Iniobong Abiola Awe reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to inclusive climate policies that protect vulnerable communities, while National Council on Climate Change Director General Omotenioye Majekodunmi said recurring floods, desertification and worsening farmer herder conflicts show the crisis has both environmental and social dimensions affecting livelihoods and security nationwide.

Women Environmental Programme founder Priscilla Achakpa called for greater attention to climate justice for women and young people who bear the heaviest burden of climate impacts despite contributing least to global emissions, while representatives of the Presidency and the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons pledged support for the working group’s efforts to protect people displaced by climate related disasters.