Empowering Nigeria: How the ICJ’s Landmark Ruling Sparks a Climate Justice Movement at Home

On July 23, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made a significant ruling that countries must take action against climate change. The Court stated that environmental harm affecting people’s rights could be seen as a violation of international law, particularly for vulnerable groups.

This ruling serves as a critical reminder for Nigeria. The nation is already facing severe climate challenges—from floods in Bayelsa to advancing desertification in the Northwest. These issues often lead to conflicts between herders and farming communities, resulting in violence and displacement.

As climate conditions worsen, herders are pushed south in search of grazing land while farmers deal with lost crops from extreme weather. Entire villages in states like Benue and Plateau have been devastated, not just by violence but also due to inadequate environmental protection.

The ICJ decision shifts the issue into the legal realm. Governments must act when environmental mismanagement leads to suffering and conflict. Nigerians should question if their government has fulfilled its responsibility under Sections 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution. These sections guarantee the right to life and dignity and call for the protection of the environment.

If poor environmental management causes herders to migrate and clash with communities, or if climate change renders farmers destitute, then it suggests a failure in governance that could be challenged legally.

This opinion is a milestone in global climate law, offering new grounds for lawyers and activists to hold the government accountable, not just for mismanagement but also for inaction. It emphasizes the need for policies that do more than talk; they must lead to tangible improvements.

Moreover, Nigeria can use this ruling to strengthen its position in international climate negotiations. With low historical emissions but high vulnerability, Nigeria has a strong case for funding and technological support, not as an act of charity but as a global responsibility.

What needs to happen next? A focused strategy is essential across four areas:

• Enforce Environmental Laws: Uphold Section 20 of the Constitution, treating environmental protection as a fundamental obligation.
• Integrate Climate in Planning: Address the farmer-herder clashes with improved water infrastructure and modern ranching practices.
• Support Climate Litigation: View environmental harm through the lens of human rights in Nigerian courts.
• Invest in Resilience: Plan cities and farms to withstand a warmer and more unpredictable climate.

The ICJ’s opinion highlights that climate justice is not merely a global issue; it’s a pressing Nigerian concern. The tools for action are embedded in our Constitution and now backed by international opinion. What’s needed is the political will to act swiftly and decisively.

Without action, we risk betraying not only our Constitution but also the future of generations yet unborn.

Dr. Martin Okey Ejidike, a UN expert focusing on governance and climate-related risks, writes from New York.

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ICJ,International Court of Justice