Researchers working on the Pan-African and transdisciplinary lens on the margins: Tackling the risks of extreme events (Palm-Trees) project have urged the Nigerian government to take decisive action to address the challenges of climate change. The project, which began in 2023 and is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to examine the impact of extreme climate events on local communities.
The researchers made their appeal during a recent Palm-Trees conversation held in Lagos. Professor Andrew Onwuomele of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISR) highlighted that while Lagos State has instituted policies to address climate change, their implementation should be strategic and targeted at areas where the impact of extreme events is most severe. He noted that not all areas in Lagos are equally affected by flooding.
The Palm-Trees project has achieved several milestones, including providing borehole facilities for some communities, teaching people how to make soap, and distributing fishing nets and gazebos. The project has also conducted capacity-building exercises on adaptation strategies during flooding and strengthened community resilience. These efforts aim to empower vulnerable groups, including women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Professor Grace Oloukoi, Principal Investigator of Palm-Trees and a lecturer at Lead City University, revealed that the project is being implemented in six African countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, and Kenya. She expressed concern that vulnerable groups often lack a voice in policy-making and technocratic discourse related to climate action.
The researchers emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address the challenges of climate change. Professor Mayowa Fasona from the University of Lagos noted that while people may not have control over extreme climate change, they can be empowered to adapt to its impacts. The project has brought together stakeholders and empowered ten groups of people, including providing solar-powered boreholes to support domestic water supply in Ogudu.
Yusuf Semiu Olarenwaju, Director of the Social Protection Coordinating Department at the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, disclosed that the state is taking steps to address flooding, including a flood insurance scheme aimed at bridging gaps. The researchers stressed the importance of enforcing town planning ordinances and clearing blocked drainages to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Palm-Trees project demonstrates the importance of action research in addressing the challenges of climate change. By working together, researchers, government agencies, and local communities can develop effective strategies to empower vulnerable groups and build resilience to extreme climate events. The project's findings and recommendations are expected to inform policy decisions and contribute to a more sustainable future for Nigeria and other participating countries.
Key points
- Researchers urge Nigerian government to reconstruct drainages and implement policies to mitigate effects of extreme climate change.
- The Palm-Trees project aims to empower vulnerable groups, including women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, to adapt to climate change.
- The project is being implemented in six African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, and Kenya.
