Nigeria Joins Global “Draw the Line” Climate Action Campaign

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Nigeria on Saturday joined millions across the globe in the “Draw the Line” campaign, with environmental advocates, development partners, youths, and women farmers demanding urgent climate action, stronger laws, and people-centered policies.

At a rally in Abuja, Mark David-Terungwa, Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), urged government to end the use of public funds to subsidize destructive industries.

“Public money must be invested in building a safer, fairer, and more sustainable future for all Nigerians,” he said.

“The Environmental Impact Assessment Act is outdated and poorly enforced. Communities are left to suffer while industries destroy the environment without consequences. We need a people-centered law that puts communities first, not industrial profits.”

Terungwa warned that the climate clock shows less than three years before the world faces irreversible damage.

“Climate change is a lived reality in Nigeria. Unless urgent action is taken, backed by real budgets, our people will continue to suffer. State governments must develop their own policies and resilience plans, because disasters like flooding happen in the states,” he added.

Representing Oxfam, Dr. Kenneth Akpan, reaffirmed the organization’s support for vulnerable communities and called for stronger state-level commitments.

“Nigeria cannot deliver on its international climate pledges without active participation from states and local governments,” he said.

“We are pressing for every state to adopt climate strategies. Only then can we build true resilience.”

Youth voices also took center stage with Ifebuchechukwu-Francisca Edeh, Project Coordinator of the Oxfam Climate Justice Youth Ambassadors, stressing the importance of including young people in decision-making.

“The future is ours, and we cannot be excluded. Young people have the energy, the numbers, and the innovation to drive climate justice. Government must fund youth-led projects that turn waste into reusable products and develop climate-smart solutions,” she said.

Women farmers also highlighted the direct impact of climate change on food security with Pauline Jingah, a small holder farmer, who shared her experience:

“When we are supposed to farm, there is drought. When we finally plant, heavy rainfall washes everything away. Irrigation farming helps, but we face pests, diseases, and financial difficulties. Government must support women farmers because we are the backbone of food production.”

The rally ended with a united call for urgent reforms to protect communities, ensure food security, and prioritize people over industrial interests.