At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Nigerian Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima delivered a powerful speech addressing the intersection of climate change and insecurity, highlighting the profound impacts these challenges have on national and global security. Speaking to world leaders in New York, Vice President Shettima emphasized that climate change is no longer merely an environmental issue but a significant driver of insecurity, especially in vulnerable regions like Nigeria and the broader African continent.
During his speech, Shettima called for urgent and coordinated global action, underscoring how climatic events, such as flooding and desertification, have exacerbated conflicts, banditry, and terrorism in Africa. He pointed to recent floods in Nigeria’s northeastern region, particularly Maiduguri, which displaced thousands and led to the destruction of properties. “Climate change is a driver of insecurity, which also poses a veritable challenge to sustainable development,” Shettima stated, noting the stark realities Nigeria and other nations face as they grapple with the consequences of global warming.
Shettima highlighted that environmental degradation, fueled by climate change, creates fertile grounds for extremism and insurgency. He explained that when people are displaced by natural disasters or when their livelihoods—such as farming—are devastated by shifting weather patterns, they become more vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. “We cannot build durable societies with the threat of terrorism, banditry, and insurgency growing in our countries and regions,” he asserted, linking climate-related challenges directly to rising insecurity across the globe.
The Vice President’s address reflected on Nigeria’s ongoing battle with terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in the northeastern region where Boko Haram has wreaked havoc for over a decade. According to Shettima, while Nigeria and its African neighbors have made significant strides in counter-terrorism efforts, including the adoption of the “Abuja Declaration” following the African Counter-Terrorism Meeting in April 2024, the root causes of conflict must also be addressed. He emphasized that tackling insecurity requires addressing social issues, such as poverty, hunger, and inequality, which are being worsened by the impacts of climate change.
Shettima was also firm in his call for international cooperation in addressing climate change, describing it as an “existential threat” to global peace and development. He stressed the need for world leaders to remain committed to the various agreements made at COP meetings, warning that failure to do so would lead to irreversible consequences. “We need not remind ourselves to remain faithful to the implementation of the commitments that we all gave voluntarily at the various COP Meetings. Failure to do so is merely to postpone the inevitable,” he remarked.
In light of these challenges, the Nigerian government has taken steps to meet its obligations under global climate agreements. Shettima outlined Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat climate change, including the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economy Solutions. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to transitioning from fossil fuel energy to cleaner sources, though he was careful to point out that this transition must align with the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” to account for the unique challenges faced by developing nations.
Vice President Shettima did not shy away from addressing the broader global governance challenges related to security, particularly the slow pace of reform within the United Nations Security Council. He reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for Africa to be given a permanent seat on the Council, arguing that the current structure does not reflect the diversity of the modern world. He urged for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats to make the Council more inclusive and equitable.
The Vice President concluded his address by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to global peacekeeping and security, as well as the importance of sustainable development and human rights. He called on the international community to shift from rhetoric to action, stressing that only through genuine cooperation can the world address the intertwined crises of climate change and insecurity.
“Our people need employment, decent livelihoods, affordable healthcare, and a safe environment. It is the duty of the international community to bring back confidence in democratic rule and constitutional order, by paying more attention to the needs and aspirations of the people,” Shettima stated.
Through his speech at the UN General Assembly, Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered a clear message: climate change is not a distant threat, but an immediate challenge that exacerbates insecurity and hinders development. He urged global leaders to act swiftly and decisively, noting that inaction would only deepen the crises facing humanity.
