On July 23, 2025, a landmark decision came from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). They affirmed that countries must act under international law to combat climate change. Environmental harm that impacts people’s lives can be considered a legal violation, especially for vulnerable groups.
This ruling hits home for Nigeria. The country faces severe climate challenges—flooding in Bayelsa, advancing deserts in the Northwest and Northeast, and rising tensions between herders and farming communities. These issues are not just occasional headlines; they are daily realities for many Nigerians.
As climate change alters rainfall patterns and intensifies desertification, herders are moving southward in search of grazing land. Unfortunately, this creates violent conflicts with farmers, leading to displacement and suffering. In states like Benue and Plateau, entire communities have been devastated.
The ICJ’s ruling changes the game legally, placing responsibility on governments to act against environmental mismanagement that leads to conflict and loss of life. Under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, citizens have rights to life and dignity. Section 20 specifically mandates protecting the environment. The critical question remains: Is the Nigerian government upholding these duties?
When herders are displaced and farmers face dwindling harvests, it reflects a failure of governance that could be unconstitutional. This ruling reinforces the need for accountability. It offers a powerful tool for lawyers and activists to demand that the government not only takes action but also addresses its failures.
Moreover, this opinion can strengthen Nigeria’s position in international climate negotiations. Given its low historical emissions and high vulnerability, Nigeria can demand climate justice and funding not as charity, but as a global obligation.
What should happen next? A coordinated strategy across several areas is essential:
- Enforce Environmental Laws: Section 20 of the Constitution must be prioritized. Protecting the environment is not negotiable.
- Integrate Climate Planning: Addressing the farmer-herder conflicts requires modern solutions in water and agricultural management, not just military responses.
- Support Climate Litigation: Courts should view environmental damage as a human rights issue, ensuring justice for affected communities.
- Invest in Resilience: From urban planning in Lagos to agricultural strategies in Maiduguri, we need solutions for a climate-challenged future.
The ICJ’s ruling highlights that climate justice isn’t just a global issue—it’s an urgent matter for Nigeria. We have the legal framework, now we need the political will to act decisively.
If we choose inaction, we betray our Constitution and future generations.
About the Author: Dr. Martin Okey Ejidike is a United Nations expert focused on governance, human rights, and environmental security risks. He writes from New York.
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