- Over 110m Nigerian children at risk of climate change effects
The United Nations Children’s Fund on Monday said over 110 million Nigerian children are at risk of climate change, having confronted the harsh realities of rising temperatures, flooding, drought, and severe storms.
UNICEF also said 650,000 Nigerian children were displaced due to floods from 2016 to 2021.
The agency disclosed this in a statement to commemorate the World Children’s Day.
World Children’s Day is celebrated annually on November 20 as a remembrance of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly in 1959.
“Nigeria, as the second most vulnerable country worldwide in terms of children’s exposure to climate change, faces severe challenges. Over 110 million Nigerian children are at risk, having confronted the harsh realities of rising temperatures, flooding, drought, and severe storms,” the statement read partly.
The Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr Salisu Dahiru said, “As one of the countries that suffers the greatest exposure to adverse climate impacts, Nigeria’s response to climate change must be swift and holistic, accounting for the needs of vulnerable people, including children and women, at the decision-making level, as well as in the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan.”
“This celebration is a crucial platform for our children, the most affected by climate change, to voice their concerns and experiences. Their input is essential in shaping our collective path towards a sustainable and resilient future,” said UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate.
Recall also that UNICEF, in its September 2023 report titled, Time to Act: African children in the climate change spotlight, states that children in 48 out of 49 African countries assessed are categorised as at high or extremely high risk of the impacts of climate change.
