Ahead of the Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, ActionAid Nigeria is urging the Nigerian government to prioritize the revitalization of Lake Chad, a vital water source in the region.
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, emphasized the importance of including discussions on recharging Lake Chad at COP29, highlighting the impact of climate change on women and young people in Nigeria. He stressed the urgent need for stronger political will to address the shrinking of Lake Chad, which has led to poverty for over 20 million people in the region.
ActionAid Nigeria has launched the ‘Fund Our Future’ campaign to advocate for increased climate financing and equitable solutions to combat the climate crisis. The organization believes that empowering youth and women-led initiatives is crucial in implementing sustainable climate actions.
Dr. Pricilla Achakpa, the Executive Director of WEP, emphasized the importance of influencing the COP agenda before the meetings begin to make meaningful changes. She highlighted the need for a clear Nigerian position and alignment with ECOWAS and the African group of negotiators to push forward collective African positions at COP.