The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has issued a stark warning to Nigerians about the accelerating threat of climate change, stressing that the nation is fast running out of time to effectively combat its devastating consequences.

Speaking during a high-level stakeholder and policy engagement on climate change, sustainable land use, and agriculture in Abuja on Wednesday, Akume emphasised that climate change now poses a direct threat to human existence, peace, national security, and sustainable development. The event was organised by the African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development (ACCARD) Initiative.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Technical Matters, Professor Babatunde Benard, the SGF underlined the urgency of the situation, calling for collective action and collaboration among stakeholders to address the crisis.

“We are running out of time. The global impact of climate change has taken on a fatal dimension,” he warned.

“Its effects are more visible and severe than ever—threatening human survival, undermining peace and security, and derailing our national development goals. These impacts are increasingly manifesting through widespread flooding, desertification, erosion, and unpredictable weather patterns.”



Akume noted that in Nigeria, climate change has compounded the struggle for natural resources, leading to biodiversity loss, livelihood challenges, and heightened conflicts. He highlighted how the growing population and worsening climatic conditions are fueling food insecurity, low agricultural productivity, and hunger across the country.

Touching on the misuse of land resources, the SGF lamented the growing dependence on agrochemicals, which he said has contributed to soil degradation and loss of natural capital.

“We no longer weed farms manually; instead, we rely heavily on chemical herbicides, even for small patches of land. This unsustainable practice is destroying our fertile lands,” he said.

“To avert long-term damage, we must adopt sustainable land use strategies that prioritise the careful application of fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides. Whether for agriculture, infrastructure development, or urban planning, land must be utilised in a way that maximises long-term benefits while protecting the environment.”



He further reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to tackling climate change and promoting food safety, sustainability, and economic resilience. He urged Nigerians to work hand-in-hand with the government to build a future that will instill pride in coming generations.

Akume also commended Ambassador Freeman Oluowo, Founder of the ACCARD Initiative, for his unwavering commitment to climate action and sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.

In his remarks, Amb. Oluowo highlighted the increasing urgency of addressing climate-related challenges and called for concrete policy interventions.

“This meeting was convened to tackle the multiple and escalating problems linked to climate change,” he said. “When we examine our food systems, we find that people are consuming unsafe and unhealthy food. There is an urgent need to ensure that what we eat is not just available but also safe and nutritious.”



Oluowo emphasised the often-overlooked role of climate change in triggering societal issues such as the farmer-herder crisis.

“In Nigeria, we frequently discuss the farmer-herder clashes as if they are purely political. But we often ignore the underlying climatic changes driving such conflicts. Scarcity of arable land and water, caused by desertification and environmental degradation, has intensified these disputes.”



He concluded by disclosing that the ACCARD Initiative is actively working with the Nigerian government and international partners like the World Bank and other development agencies to establish effective policy frameworks and secure access to climate-related intervention funds.

These efforts, he said, aim to advance Nigeria’s attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure long-term environmental and economic stability.