As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Environment Day 2026, the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at making climate action a decisive issue in the 2027 general elections.
The organisation unveiled its #Vote4Climate 2027 Campaign on Friday in Abuja, calling on Nigerians to demand clear commitments from political leaders on environmental protection, renewable energy, food security and climate resilience.
Speaking at a press conference attended by environmental experts, development partners and civil society actors, GIFSEP Executive Director, Dr. Michael David, warned that climate change has moved beyond scientific projections and is now inflicting severe economic and social consequences across the country.
Marking this year’s World Environment Day under the theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future. #NowForClimate,” David said Nigerians are already experiencing the devastating effects of environmental degradation through flooding, desertification, food insecurity and displacement.
According to him, the shrinking of Lake Chad by more than 90 per cent since the 1960s has jeopardised livelihoods across the region, while advancing desertification in northern Nigeria continues to swallow fertile farmland, deepen poverty and fuel resource-based conflicts.
He also highlighted the growing threat posed by coastal erosion and rising sea levels to communities in Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta and Cross River states, noting that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and destructive.
David recalled the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced over 1.4 million Nigerians, describing them as a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
He further drew attention to worsening air pollution caused by gas flaring, open waste burning and vehicle emissions, which he said contributes to thousands of premature deaths every year. Land degradation, he added, is costing the nation billions of naira annually through declining agricultural productivity and loss of livelihoods.
The environmental advocate warned that more than 35 million Nigerians are already facing acute food insecurity and that climate-induced shocks could significantly reduce agricultural output in the coming years if urgent action is not taken.
He also identified energy poverty as a major challenge, arguing that Nigeria’s continued dependence on fossil fuels threatens both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“Climate change is no longer a future threat. It is a present crisis affecting our economy, security, health and food systems,” he said.
At the centre of GIFSEP’s intervention is the #Vote4Climate 2027 campaign, designed to push climate issues to the forefront of national political conversations ahead of the next election cycle.
David criticised what he described as the dominance of ethnic, regional and patronage politics in Nigeria’s electoral discourse, insisting that environmental sustainability must become a key criterion for evaluating political candidates.
He urged citizens to question aspirants on their plans for climate adaptation, renewable energy expansion, pollution control, green job creation and environmental justice.
“Every Nigerian is a green voter because every Nigerian depends on a stable environment for survival and prosperity,” he declared.
The campaign also seeks to mobilise citizens to reject leaders who ignore climate risks or support policies that encourage unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
Contributing to the discussion, Richard Nzekwu, a consultant with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), warned that land degradation is accelerating across the country and poses a serious threat to national stability.
He advocated increased investment in nature-based solutions and youth-driven environmental restoration programmes, stressing that millions of Nigerians depend directly on land resources for their livelihoods.
Nzekwu cautioned that failure to reverse environmental decline could trigger mass migration from affected communities, intensifying pressure on urban centres and increasing the risk of social unrest.
Also speaking, GIFSEP Board Member Gloria Agema called for stronger participation of women in climate governance and decision-making.
She noted that women often bear the heaviest burden of climate-related challenges, including food shortages, health risks, insecurity and displacement, yet remain underrepresented in shaping climate policies.
Agema urged governments and development partners to expand support for women-led climate initiatives, arguing that inclusive solutions are essential to building resilient communities.
The event ended with a rallying call to journalists, civil society organisations, youth groups and citizens to demand greater environmental accountability from public office holders.
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As the countdown to the 2027 elections begins, GIFSEP’s message was clear: climate change is no longer a peripheral issue but one that could determine Nigeria’s future prosperity and security.
For the organisation, the choice before Nigerians is simple — the future of the environment, and indeed the nation, will be decided at the ballot box.
