SGF and ACCARD Push for Unified Climate Policy to Boost Food Security in Nigeria
Story written By Okafor Joseph July 11,2025
SGF, ACCARD Call for Single National Climate Policy to Strengthen Nigeria’s Food Security
To tackle the growing threat of climate change to Nigeria’s food systems, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative (ACCARD) have renewed calls for a unified national climate policy framework.
At a high-level workshop on sustainable land use and agriculture held Tuesday in Abuja, Freeman Oluowo, Founder and Centre Coordinator of ACCARD, highlighted the critical need to harmonize Nigeria’s fragmented climate policies to ensure food security for millions of Nigerians.
“Currently, there’s too much policy fragmentation. Different ministries and agencies are working in silos, which undermines any meaningful climate response. The SGF is championing the process to bring all climate-related policies under one coordinated framework,” Oluowo said.
The workshop, organized with the African Climate Foundation, drew participants from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, National Budget and Planning, and other development partners.
Oluowo explained that a harmonized climate action plan will not only strengthen governance and collaboration across sectors but will also ensure continuity during political transitions, which often disrupt or discard existing climate and agricultural policies.
“Without a clear national reference document guiding federal and state-level climate actions, donors and development partners are reluctant to commit long-term funding. A unified framework will provide that much-needed structure and boost investor confidence,” he said.
The meeting also addressed the impact of climate change on Nigeria’s food system, including increased agrochemical use, soil degradation, and the health hazards linked to unsafe farming practices.
“Climate change, coupled with rapid population growth, is putting severe pressure on our food supply chains. But beyond just food availability, we must tackle food safety. Today, we have teenagers battling kidney and liver failure from chemical-laced food. We cannot continue to ignore these public health threats,” Oluowo warned.
Aboje Andrew, Environment and Safeguard Specialist at ACCARD, emphasized that a unified climate policy will empower farmers, civil society, and private investors to align their efforts for sustainable agriculture.
Reading from the event’s communique, Andrew outlined key next steps for Nigeria’s climate action:
- Greater inclusion of women and youth in agricultural decision-making.
- Simplified, localized climate knowledge for rural farmers.
- Promotion of agroecology as a people-friendly alternative to chemical-heavy farming.
- Stronger collaboration between federal and state governments to implement solutions effectively.
Andrew confirmed that the Office of the SGF is in the final stages of developing the harmonized national climate framework, which will guide all future legislation, programs, and funding decisions related to climate action and sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.
“This is not just a one-off workshop. It marks the beginning of an ongoing high-level conversation bringing the government, private sector, and civil society to the same table. Climate change is real, and the time for united action is now,” he concluded.
