Stakeholders have called for immediate action to address climate-related disasters and improve accountability mechanisms in Nigeria. This call was made during a one-day workshop on Climate Accountability, Report Validation, and Post-COP29 Assessment organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) under the Africa Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) Project held in Abuja.
The pivotal workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, traditional institutions, local governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media. Discussions centered on HEDA’s survey findings on flood early warning systems, climate accountability and Nigeria’s commitments made at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasized the need for effective early warning systems in flood-prone areas, citing recent flooding in Maiduguri as evidence of governance gaps. HEDA’s report revealed significant shortcomings in flood preparedness, with many communities lacking timely access to flood warnings.
The workshop resolutions emphasized targeted interventions for high-risk states, urging the allocation of resources, training, and infrastructure to reduce flood impacts. Inclusive climate accountability was also highlighted, stressing the importance of ensuring climate action plans and early warning systems are accessible to vulnerable groups, such as women and people with disabilities. Additionally, the need for community-led solutions was underscored, advocating for the use of local knowledge and bottom-up approaches in flood management and climate adaptation.
To enhance accountability, participants called for strict enforcement of transparency laws, like the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, and legal action against lapses in climate governance. Capacity building was identified as crucial, with recommendations to train media, civil society organizations (CSOs), and local communities to demand climate accountability and improve disaster preparedness.
The workshop also addressed challenges related to the $300 billion annual climate finance commitment from COP29. Stakeholders noted that complex funding requirements hinder access for countries like Nigeria. The need for robust frameworks and local capacity to secure and use these funds effectively was highlighted.
HEDA further stressed the importance of reducing reliance on imported technologies by developing local solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. The pivotal event concluded with a call for greater public awareness, punitive measures for negligence, and stronger collaboration between communities and government agencies. HEDA urged stakeholders to transform COP29 commitments into concrete actions to protect lives, livelihoods, and the environment.
