The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, recently urged African leaders to take strong steps to protect human rights as climate change worsens. He spoke at a conference focused on environmental issues and human rights held in Abuja.
This three-day conference was organized by the NHRC, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute. Dr. Ojukwu highlighted that while Africa contributes the least to global carbon emissions, it faces the most severe effects of climate change.
He pointed out that rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, desertification, and extreme weather are no longer future concerns. Instead, these issues are actively threatening lives and livelihoods. For many people across Africa, the rights to life, health, food, and shelter are increasingly at risk.
In Nigeria, floods displace thousands of people every year. Droughts are also putting food security at risk. “Rising sea levels affect coastal communities,” he noted, adding that conflicts are intensifying as pastoralists move southward in search of grazing land.
Dr. Ojukwu emphasized the need for better climate policies and accountability for polluters. He stressed the importance of promoting sustainable development, encouraging public participation, and enhancing climate finance to effectively address the realities of climate change.
Moreover, he shared that the NHRC plans to collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including the Nigerian Climate Change Council and civil society organizations. This collaboration aims to utilize the best available knowledge and resources to combat the impacts of climate change on human rights.
Similarly, Ms. Rakel Larsen, Regional Director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, mentioned their work on promoting environmental justice. She stated that the conference aimed to explore how climate change influences the realization of human rights in Africa. “There’s a growing awareness of how climate impacts our human rights,” she said.
This dialogue highlights the urgent need for action to protect human rights in the face of climate challenges. By joining forces, stakeholders hope to forge a path toward a more sustainable and just future for all.
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African governments,climate change,Human dignity,National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
