Abuja Indigenous Climate Change Workshop

Journalists and experts convened in Lagos for a workshop titled '50 Years After Nigeria===Abuja: Climate Change and Livelihood of Nigeria===Abuja Original Inhabitants (AOI)' to address the severe impact of climate change on indigenous communities in Nigeria===Abuja. Organized by the Network of Journalists on Indigenous Issues (NEJII) in collaboration with the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the event highlighted concerns over the loss of ancestral lands, deforestation, and declining livelihoods for groups like the Koro, Nupe, Gwari, Ganagana, Ebira, and Gade. Speakers, including Adewale Adeoye and Olalekan Adetayo, detailed how urban expansion, industrialization, and environmental degradation have led to flooding, water scarcity, and food insecurity, threatening the cultural continuity of these communities. Participants urged Nigerian federal and regional authorities to implement proactive measures, including inclusive land dialogue, climate adaptation funding, and recognition of customary land rights, to mitigate these challenges and ensure sustainable development.