CSOs Advocate for a Revamped Climate Change Response System in Nigeria: Latest Insights from EnviroNews

Some groups in the Niger Delta are pushing for a new approach to Nigeria’s climate change response. They believe decentralizing the system could make a real difference.

This call came during the Third Niger Delta Annual Climate Change Conference in Port Harcourt on July 11, 2025. Mr. Friday Nbani, the conference convener and Director of the Lekeh Development Foundation, stressed that focusing on local action is crucial. He argued that having climate change desks at the state and local levels could help understand and address environmental problems better, especially in rural areas where degradation is severe.

Nbani noted that many communities in the Niger Delta can no longer farm or fish, which threatens their livelihoods. “We must unite and raise our voices, both nationally and globally,” he said.

In a powerful keynote address, Mr. Ken Henshaw, Executive Director of We the People, called for an urgent shift away from fossil fuels. He criticized multinational oil companies for their role in the region’s environmental issues. “Our dependency on crude oil fuels the climate crisis,” he warned. Henshaw advocated for economic support for communities affected by climate-related disasters.

Anthony Hayward, a lawyer attending the event, echoed these sentiments. He highlighted the bravery of Niger Delta communities in their fight for environmental justice. He urged for decentralized governance and reparations for oil-producing communities, urging Nigeria to step up its efforts against environmental pollution.

The conference also aimed to gather voices from various stakeholders before the upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil in November. This annual gathering serves as a key platform for discussing climate challenges and finding solutions in the Niger Delta.

The need for local involvement is critical. Recent studies show that regions actively engaging in local climate policies tend to be more resilient to environmental changes. Building local capacities can empower communities to adapt and respond effectively to climate challenges.

As the climate crisis worsens, the call for a decentralized approach could lead to more effective solutions—making it essential for Nigeria to listen to the voices of those most affected.

For further insights, see Niger Delta Environmental Research.

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