Nigeria Convenes African Leaders on Climate-Conflict Nexus, Pushes Peace-Centred Adaptation Strategy

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has brought together policymakers, climate experts, and peacebuilding practitioners from across Africa in a high-level regional forum aimed at tackling the growing link between climate change and insecurity on the continent.

Declaring the forum open in Abuja, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Salihu Aminu Usman, warned that the accelerating pace of climate change is already triggering severe global consequences, stressing the need for urgent and coordinated action.

“Climate change impacts are on the rise daily, with unprecedented and extreme weather conditions being experienced all around the world. Urgent solutions are required before it gets out of hand,” he said.

Usman noted that Nigeria remains committed to global climate obligations under frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. He added that the country has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 47 percent with international support.

He revealed that Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), currently nearing completion, incorporates conflict-sensitive approaches, linking climate adaptation directly to peacebuilding efforts. According to him, environmental pressures are increasingly tied to security challenges such as farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and cattle rustling.

“It would be a mistake to ignore adaptation needs in these peacebuilding contexts,” Usman said, underscoring the importance of aligning climate policies with national security strategies.

In her remarks, Director of the Department of Climate Change, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, highlighted the widespread impact of climate variability on infrastructure, biodiversity, and livelihoods, warning that these disruptions are deepening existing vulnerabilities and contributing to instability.

She said Nigeria’s adaptation planning process has been inclusive and participatory, designed to address medium- and long-term climate risks while strengthening resilience across sectors.

Also speaking, Alec Crawford of the International Institute for Sustainable Development stressed that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.

“The intersection between climate risks, war, and conflict is no longer abstract,” Crawford said, adding that adaptation strategies must not only respond to environmental challenges but also actively support peacebuilding efforts.

He commended Nigeria for hosting the forum and acknowledged financial support from the Government of Ireland.

The forum has drawn participation from several African countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Liberia, Mali, Somalia, and South Sudan.

Organisers say discussions will centre on integrating peacebuilding into climate adaptation planning, sharing country experiences, and strengthening collaboration among environment, security, and development stakeholders.

The forum runs through May 7, featuring technical sessions, policy dialogues, and peer learning aimed at shaping a more coordinated African response to the climate-security challenge.

Nigeria Convenes African Leaders on Climate-Conflict Nexus, Pushes Peace-Centred Adaptation Strategy

Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Ghana have reinforced their joint fight against drug trafficking networks in West Africa, sending a strong warning to criminal cartels with a new wave of coordinated enforcement and intelligence-sharing efforts.

Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) declared that both countries are now more aligned than ever in tackling transnational drug crimes. He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission led by its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey.

Marwa described the visit as a strategic step beyond diplomacy, emphasizing that the growing sophistication of drug trafficking and its links to money laundering demand deeper regional collaboration.

“Let this serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize our societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united,” he said, noting that joint efforts in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies would significantly shrink the operational space for criminal networks.

A major highlight of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation in combating the production and trafficking of psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals, and associated financial crimes.

Marwa said the MoU transforms an already strong relationship into a “structured, aggressive, and unified front” against drug barons, adding that both countries would intensify joint training, digital forensics collaboration, and coordinated operations across the West African corridor.

On his part, Mantey acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security, describing the relationship between both countries as one rooted in shared history and mutual respect. He stressed that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing ties rather than starting new ones.

He warned that drug trafficking across West Africa is becoming more complex, with traffickers adopting advanced methods, expanding maritime routes, and increasing the production and distribution of synthetic drugs. He also noted a shift in Ghana’s role from primarily a transit hub to a country facing rising domestic drug use and distribution challenges.

“No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” Mantey said, underscoring the need for practical cooperation in operations, intelligence sharing, and institutional capacity building.

He added that the success of the new partnership would depend on concrete implementation, including coordinated enforcement actions and sustained collaboration between both agencies.

The meeting, held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, was attended by senior officials from both countries, including representatives of the Ghanaian High Commission.

The renewed alliance signals a broader regional push to confront organized drug networks, amid growing concerns over their impact on security, governance, and public health across West Africa.

Nigeria, Ghana Close Ranks Against Drug Cartels, Sign Landmark Anti-Trafficking Pact

Yobe: Karai community declares support for Baba Malal Wali

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Karai-Karai community across the Yobe South Senatorial District (Zone B) has pledged their loyalty and support to Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni, the preferred governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.

Former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Adamu Chillariye revealed that the representatives of the Karai-Karai community from Potiskum, Nangere, Fune, and Fika local government areas visited Alhaji Baba Malam Wali MNI to congratulate him and also to reassure him of their loyalty and their unflinching support for his aspiration.

“Our message is short and simple: ‘Be rest assured of the support of the Karai-Karai community; we will deliver you in 2027, insha Allah.’ ” The former state deputy governor, Alhaji Aliyu Saleh Bagare, said.

Also speaking, the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, thanked the Karai-Karai community for expressing their support to the party’s choice.

Responding, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the community that would be carried along to be part of the administration after the election.

Wali also appreciated the sense of unity and commitment to his aspiration and the party saying it is a commitment to the continuity of the progressive government of the Buni administration.

Yobe: Karai community declares support for Baba Malal Wali