By Fatima Saka
As Nigeria and Liberia collaborate to combat climate change, the leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly has called on African leaders to prioritize mitigation efforts, even as some nations withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.
This call was made during a meeting on Thursday in Abuja, where the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West Senatorial District), received a delegation of parliamentarians and environmentalists from Liberia.
Senator Dickson commended the collaboration, highlighting the critical role of executive agencies in protecting forests, preserving natural resources, and expanding Africa’s climate agenda. He stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation, particularly in light of growing isolationism from leading nations.
“African nations must put on their thinking caps and find ways to respond appropriately. As some leading nations become increasingly isolationist, African political leadership must unite like never before. We need to develop African solutions to these challenges, take common positions at national and sub-regional levels, and engage globally.”
He also underscored the devastating impact of climate change across Nigeria:
Coastal erosion threatening communities in the Niger Delta and Lagos.
Severe flooding destroying infrastructure and farmland.
Desert encroachment in the North, leading to loss of arable land.
Lake Chad’s rapid depletion, which has displaced communities and exacerbated social conflicts.
Liberia Seeks Nigeria’s Guidance on Climate Mitigation
The Liberian delegation, led by Hon. Ernest Manseah Snr, engaged in discussions with the Senate Committees on Ecology and Climate Change.
Hon. Manseah acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership in climate mitigation and expressed Liberia’s interest in learning from its strategies.
“We have come to learn from you, distinguished members, on how Nigeria has been mitigating the effects of climate change. In Liberia, we are considering a Climate Fund, but beyond that, we want to tap into Nigeria’s approach to tackling environmental challenges.”
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Nora Bowier, Deputy Managing Director of Liberia’s Forestry Development Authority, emphasized the need for guidance in drafting climate change policies and laws, particularly in areas such as agriculture, flooding, and desert encroachment.
Call for Broader African Collaboration
Other members of the Senate Committee, including Senate Minority Whip Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West), Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), and Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), praised the Liberian delegation for their visit. They emphasized that such collaborations should be expanded to include more African nations.
Following the Senate session, the delegation proceeded to the House of Representatives for further discussions with its Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, reinforcing the need for a united African response to climate challenges.
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