By 2085, 36 percent of species’ current habitats on land could be exposed to multiple types of climate-driven extreme events such as heatwaves, fire or floods if warming continues to rise into the latter half of the century.
The findings are part of a new study published on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Nature Ecology & Evolution, authored by an international team of 18 scientists, and led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).
Heatwave
“I think climate change, and in particular extreme events, are still really being underestimated when it comes to conservation planning. It’s not just going to be a gradual shift of temperature over many years,” commented lead author, Stefanie Heinicke, a postdoctoral researcher at PIK.
Just one heatwave, flood or fire can devastate animal populations. When multiple types of extreme events succeed one another, impacts on species and habitats are compounded. Previous literature showed following the 2019-2020 fires in Australia, there were 27-40 percent greater declines in plant and animal species in areas that had experienced a drought immediately beforehand.
However, rapidly cutting emissions to net zero could still largely prevent these impacts. In a scenario in which warming starts to reverse in the latter part of the century, land animal’s habitat that would experience multiple types of events by 2085 would be limited to just 9 percent.
“There’s still a lot of difference we can make by cutting emissions as fast as we can from today,” Heinicke added.
Impact modelling for biodiversity
The paper takes a novel approach to look at climate change’s impacts on biodiversity. It uses outputs from climate impact models, which can provide different kinds of data on more complex impacts from climate change beyond rising heat, such as flooded area and wildfire projections.
For example, the authors were able to see that by 2050 in a scenario in which warming continues into the latter half of the century, 74 percent of current animal habitats on land will be exposed to heatwaves, 16 percent to wildfire, 8 percent to droughts and 3 percent to river floods. This includes key species-rich areas in the Amazon basin, Africa and Southeast Asia.
“The wildfire projections being so significant is really notable. I don’t know of another study that has projected wildfire exposure for animals yet, so seeing that there is a bigger threat from fires than drought for example; this was a significant blind spot,” said Katja Frieler, a co-author on the paper who leads the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project, and is a research department head at PIK.
African leaders, policymakers, legal experts, scientists and practitioners have called for African-led solutions to climate change, as its impacts intensify across the continent and disproportionately affect frontline communities.
The call came at a high-level sensitisation conference on the obligations of States in respect of climate change, held in Nairobi from April 21 to 23, 2026. The conference was convened by the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in partnership with the Government of Kenya, Queen Mary University of London, Kabarak University and the Technical University of Kenya.
Delegates at the high-level sensitisation conference on the obligations of States in respect of climate change convened by the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in partnership with the Government of Kenya, Queen Mary University of London, Kabarak University and the Technical University of Kenya. Photo credit: Kelvin Muchiri/CIFOR-ICRAF.
The meeting brought together senior government officials from East Africa and the Horn of Africa, alongside representatives from the East African Community, African Union Commission, the United Nations and its agencies, as well as international legal experts, judicial officers and civil society organisations.
The conference was informed by the Advisory Opinion issued on July 23, 2025, by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which affirms that States have binding legal obligations to protect the climate system and may face consequences for climate-related harm.
“Climate change is not only an environmental issue or a legal issue. It is fundamentally a human and development issue. Addressing it requires science, law and policy to work together, so that we can move from principle to action and deliver real solutions for communities,” said Dr Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF).
Building on this landmark ruling, leaders called for urgent action to turn legal momentum into practical, African-led solutions for frontline communities. They emphasised that the ruling positions Africa not as a victim, but as a leader driving solutions and demanding accountability.
“The ICJ Advisory Opinion changes the rules of the game. Climate commitments are no longer political choices. They are legal obligations, and states will be held accountable. This means accelerating implementation, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring that climate action is fully integrated into our development and economic decisions,” said Dr Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in Kenya.
Africa contributes less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to analyses from institutions such as the African Development Bank and other international datasets. Yet, the continent faces some of the most severe climate impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change notes that Africa is among the lowest contributors to global emissions while already experiencing widespread losses and damage across key sectors.
“The ICJ advisory opinion is a game changer. It affirms that states are bound by international law and can be held accountable, even beyond specific agreements. The challenge now is no longer about commitments. It is about implementation, and ensuring countries have the financing needed to deliver on their climate goals,” said Dr George Wamukoya, the Team Leader of the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES), a think tank providing technical support to African governments and the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) in climate change policy formulation and decision-making.
He further emphasised that the advisory opinion strengthens the basis for climate accountability. “Countries that fail to meet their obligations can now face real legal consequences under international law.”
Climate-related hazards, including rising temperatures and recurrent droughts, continue to drive food insecurity, while intense rainfall is triggering floods in parts Africa, displacing communities and damaging critical infrastructure. Without urgent action, these impacts will continue to reverse development gains, constrain economic growth and place increasing pressure on food systems, water resources and livelihoods.
Against this backdrop, participants highlighted that the ICJ Advisory Opinion can reinforce legal and policy frameworks for climate action, support accountability where obligations are not met, strengthen Africa’s voice in global climate negotiations, and help unlock fair and adequate climate finance aligned with justice principles.
They underscored that the real test now lies in implementation, noting that while the Advisory Opinion provides important legal leverage, its true value depends on how effectively it is translated into concrete policies, targeted investments and sustained action that deliver meaningful benefits for communities across the continent.
“The advisory opinion makes it clear that climate commitments are no longer optional. They are legal obligations. It gives developing countries stronger leverage to demand accountability and to push for the support and financing needed to meet their climate goals,” said Dr Philip Osano, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for CIFOR-ICRAF.
This urgency is further underscored by the persistent gap between climate needs and available financing. At recent global climate negotiations, including COP28, countries agreed to operationalise a Loss and Damage Fund as a step towards addressing climate harm. However, current pledges, estimated at under $1 billion, fall far short of actual needs, which are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars annually for developing countries. African leaders therefore continue to call for scaled-up, predictable and accessible financing, including fair compensation for irreversible losses linked to climate change.
Despite these challenges, Africa is not standing still. Across the continent, countries and communities are advancing practical and scalable solutions. These include large-scale restoration and regreening initiatives such as the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), to climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry that strengthen food security and resilience.
Investments in renewable energy continue to expand, alongside community-led adaptation strategies rooted in indigenous knowledge and local innovation. These efforts demonstrate that Africa is not waiting for solutions. It is already building them.
The 2026 Global Report on Food Crises on Friday, April 24, revealed that two-thirds of all people facing high levels of acute hunger are concentrated in just 10 countries.
The report from the Global Network Against Food Crises further revealed that acute food insecurity remains highly concentrated in the countries, including Nigeria.
“Ten countries namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen. accounted for two-thirds of all people facing high levels of acute hunger.”
Director-General of FAO, Qu Dongyu
The major international report also finds that 266 million people across 47 countries experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025.
This figure, which was released by an alliance of UN agencies, the EU, and partners, found that nearly a quarter of the population was analysed and almost double the share recorded in 2016.
The report found that conflict remains the primary driver, accounting for more than half of all people facing severe hunger.
“Acute food insecurity today is not just widespread – it is also persistent and recurring,” UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General, Qu Dongyu, said.
Qu warned that the crisis has become structural rather than temporary.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote the foreword of the report.
“This report is a call to action to summon the political will to rapidly scale up investment in lifesaving aid, and work to end the conflicts that inflict so much suffering on so many.”
The report also highlights more than 39 million people in 32 countries faced emergency levels of food insecurity, while the number of people experiencing catastrophic hunger has increased ninefold since 2016.
The report says children are among the most affected as 35.5 million children were acutely malnourished, including nearly 10 million suffered from severe acute malnutrition in 2025.
UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson, Ricardo Pires, warned: “Children with severe wasting are too thin for their height.
“Their immune systems weakened to the extent that ordinary childhood illnesses can become fatal.”
The report warns that forced displacement is compounding the crisis.
More than 85 million people were displaced across food-crisis contexts in 2025, with displaced populations consistently facing higher levels of hunger than host communities.
“Forced displacement and food insecurity are deeply interconnected, forming a vicious cycle,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, warned.
Salih warned that humanitarian aid alone is not enough to break the pattern.
In spite of the scale of the crisis, the report warns that funding is moving in the opposite direction.
Looking ahead, the report found that the outlook for 2026 remains bleak.
Ongoing conflicts, climate shocks and economic instability are expected to keep food insecurity at critical levels in many countries.
The report also flags new risks linked to global market disruptions, including those stemming from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, which could further increase food prices and strain supply chains.
Aid agencies warn that without a shift in approach, the world risks becoming locked into a cycle of deepening crises, with hunger no longer a temporary emergency but an increasingly persistent feature of global instability.
“We must shift from reacting too late to acting early, and from relying solely on food assistance to protecting local food production – because that is how we reduce needs, save lives and build resilience over time,” FAO Director-General, Qu, said.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, says the government will introduce incentives to reward the cleanest local government after each month’s environmental sanitation exercise.
Wahab spoke on Saturday, April 25, 2026, while monitoring the newly reintroduced environmental sanitation exercise around Obalende, Ikoyi area.
The sanitation exercise is to be held on the last Saturday of every month between 6.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m.
Environmental sanitation exercise in Agege, Lagos
While commending residents for their high level of compliance with the exercise, Wahab said the incentive was to encourage healthy competition among local governments.
“After today’s exercise, we will assess all local governments and announce the cleanest among them for recognition within the week,” the commissioner said.
He called for sustained commitment to cleanliness across the state, saying that the turnout and voluntary participation of residents reflected a shared resolve to keep Lagos clean and safe.
“Commercial vehicles stayed off the roads and residents complied because they want to keep Lagos clean and safe.
“We thank Lagos residents, the state government, the deputy governor, and all stakeholders, including local government chairmen, who ensured that the message got to the grassroots,” he said.
Wahab described the level of compliance as impressive, estimating it at over 98 per cent.
“You have seen the level of compliance yourself. It is mind-blowing and shows that Lagos residents have been waiting for this,” he said.
Wahab said that the monthly sanitation exercise was aimed at rebuilding a culture of environmental responsibility.
According to him, the idea is to build a culture of giving just 120 minutes in a month, which is not too much, to clean the environment and make Lagos clean and safe.
On legal concerns regarding restriction of movement, he said that existing court judgements affirmed the state’s authority, but noted that the government had chosen to prioritise voluntary compliance.
“We have favourable judgements affirming our powers, but we chose to build community ownership rather than enforce strict restrictions,” Wahab said.
Also speaking, the Wife of the Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the exercise as encouraging, noting that it recorded significant participation across the state.
“The exercise this morning is encouraging. It was flagged off last month and this is the first full implementation.
“We have seen residents come out to participate. It is a gradual process, but the response has been positive,” Sanwo-Olu said.
She said that residents adhered to the sanitation guidelines, with minimal commercial activity observed.
“People complied with the directive. Vendors did not display their goods and only those cleaning their environment were visible.
“For a first-time exercise, I am impressed with the level of compliance,” Sanwo-Olu said.
She urged residents to adopt daily sanitation habits, rather than relying solely on the monthly exercise.
Sanwo-Olu said that students were deliberately involved in the exercise to instil environmental consciousness early in life.
“We brought students in to catch them young and build a culture of cleanliness among the younger generation,” she said.
The exercise recorded high compliance across Lagos Mainland and Ikorodu, with authorities and residents describing the exercise as successful.
In Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, the Chairman, Mr. Jubril Emilagba, led the exercise, deploying task forces across various wards, to ensure effective clearing of drainages and prompt evacuation of refuse.
Emilagba said the initiative was aimed at improving public health, preventing flooding, and enhancing environmental aesthetics.
“This exercise demonstrates our commitment to a cleaner and healthier Lagos Mainland. We ensured proper coordination, with all drainage channels desilted, to allow free flow of water ahead of the rainy season,” he said.
The chairman said the council worked closely with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and local sanitation officers to achieve efficient waste disposal.
He also said that community leaders and market associations were actively engaged to promote awareness and ensure the sustainability of the sanitation culture.
“Environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility. We will continue to sensitise residents to maintain this momentum beyond the exercise,” Emilagba said.
In Ikorodu, residents also fully complied with the sanitation directive, with major roads, including the usually busy expressway, free of human and vehicular movement during the exercise.
Sanitation officers monitored compliance and sanctioned defaulters accordingly.
Chairmen of Ikorodu Local Government and the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the division, commended residents for their cooperation.
The Chairman of Ikorodu LGA, Mr. Adedayo Ladega, urged continuous participation in subsequent exercises, noting that proper sanitation would help protect the environment and prevent disease outbreaks.
“We appeal to all residents, business owners, and stakeholders to sustain this level of compliance. A clean environment is essential for healthy living,” Ladega said.
He reiterated that adherence to environmental sanitation remained key to building a safer and healthier society, stressing that “cleanliness is next to godliness”.
Stakeholders also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for their leadership and continued support for environmental initiatives in the state.
They noted that sustained collaboration among government officials, community leaders, and residents would further drive progress, toward a cleaner and more prosperous Lagos.
The Chairman, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr. Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, led a sanitation team across the community as residents actively participated in the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Residents and officers of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) joined the exercise, demonstrating discipline and responsibility in promoting environmental cleanliness.
Speaking during the exercise, Obasa said the initiative was part of deliberate efforts by the state government, to prevent health hazards and entrench discipline among citizens.
“Cleanliness must become a daily culture, not just a monthly obligation observed during sanitation exercises,” he said.
He noted that Agege’s compliance reflected sustained environmental transformation through responsive leadership and responsible citizenship.
Obasa explained that the monthly initiative was designed to build a cleaner, safer, and resilient society.
According to him, sanitation should not be seen as a one-off activity but as a lifestyle which residents must embrace to protect public health.
“Consistent waste disposal and clearing of drainage channels are vital practices to reduce flooding and disease outbreaks in Agege and across Lagos,” he said.
The chairman added that the exercise underscored government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that responsive leadership must be matched by responsible citizenship.
Besides, he noted that instilling early discipline among children was crucial, as they represented the future custodians of environmental responsibility in the state.
It was observed that community participation in the exercise was vibrant and had active involvement of school children.
In Agege, residents cleared gutters, disposed refuse responsibly, and restored sanitary order in public spaces.
The exercise appeared to demonstrate that environmental management thrives with collective effort.
The sanitation exercise however recorded low compliance in Oworoshoki area of Lagos State, as many residents failed to participate.
Only a few residents came out to clean their surroundings on several streets in Oworoshoki, including Salami, Ireku, Oriola, Miyaki, Ayoola, Onabanjo and Sokoya.
Most residents were observed going about their normal activities, while others remained indoors without participating in the exercise.
In separate interviews, some residents attributed the low turnout to inadequate sensitisation by the government on the reintroduction of the exercise.
Mrs. Elizabeth Komolafe said there was need for government to deploy officials to educate residents and sensitise them on the importance of the exercise.
“Government needs to give time for sensitisation and make jingles on radio and television to create awareness, as many people are not even aware that the exercise has resumed.
“Government should deploy law enforcement and environmental officials to enforce the exercise and ensure compliance, as awareness alone is insufficient, and many will not comply without consequences,” Komolafe said
On his part, Mr. Abdullahi Usman said that while the sanitation exercise was important for public health, the absence of water and electricity hindered effective participation.
“It is very important for people to clean their environment, but there is no water. People cannot carry out sanitation without water. Even washing hands is a challenge.
“When residents clean their gutters, the refuse is left behind. When it rains, everything goes back into the drainage, making their efforts useless,” he said.
Usman also noted that waste evacuation remained a major challenge, alleging that refuse collectors had not been consistent in clearing waste in Oworoshoki.
Another resident, Mr. Banji Lawal, agreed that inadequate awareness contributed to the low turnout, but added that lack of basic amenities such as water supply also posed a challenge.
He called on government to ensure the provision of basic necessities such as potable water and regular waste evacuation services to make the exercise more effective.
He stressed that the exercise would promote public health if properly organised.
Further observations at Miyaki and adjoining streets showed that many residents were either seated outside their homes or engaged in conversations, with little or no effort to clean their environment.
Although vehicular movement was minimal, there was no visible enforcement by officials of the Lagos State Government or environmental agencies in the areas visited.
Meanwhile, some Lagos residents have expressed satisfaction with the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the move as a step in the right direction.
They said that the exercise would positively impact environmental health, as well as safety and wellbeing of residents, if sustained.
A good number of residents in Lekki phase one, as well as residents of Disu Aina-Efon community in Ilewe-Ejigbo Lagos, complied with the state government’s directive on the monthly sanitation.
In Lekki, a group under the aegis of Lekki Residents Association (LERA) approved of the exercise, describing same as successful.
LERA had ensured that residents embarked on massive cleaning of a popular canal in the area.
Chairman of LERA, Mrs. Shareefah Andu, described return of the monthly sanitation, as a welcomed development.
According to her, the association will strategise on how it can sustain the exercise in sectional phases, to achieve cleaner environment.
“If we do this, like, every month for a full year, the whole environment will be different, and I am so confident about that,” she said.
On his part, Special Adviser to the Lagos State government on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, commended Lekki residents, for their efforts in keeping the environment clean.
“What I have seen here today is commendable; we have a beautiful community with responsible citizens who have also joined with the government to see how they can, clean our environment.
“Every responsible citizen needs to take their communities; for me, tourism thrives in a cleaner environment and that is what I want in Lekki,” he said.
Elsewhere at Disu Aina-Efon community in Ilewe-Ejigbo, the turnout of residents for the monthly sanitation was also commendable.
Both the young and elderly were seen contributing efforts to the cleanup exercise on the streets.
Chairman of Disu Aina-Efon Street, Mr. Ikenna Abu, said he was happy with the impressive turnout of residents.
He noted that a clean environment remains top priority for the community, and underscored the need for residents to always contribute their quotas.
“We are delighted about the development, we can only pray for more of it as it is an essential part of community development objective,” he said.
Also speaking, another resident, Mr. Edem Ibanga, said that residents had come out in their numbers, in a bid to give back to the community.
Another member of the community, Mr. Femi Adeosun, also expressed satisfaction with the process, and urged that it be sustained.
A large number of Lagos residents said they were excited with the return of the exercise and expressed optimism that the process would be sustained for overriding public good.
In a related development, the Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, has called for strict enforcement of movement restrictions, during the monthly environmental sanitation to ensure compliance.
Hunpe made the call on Saturday while monitoring the reintroduced exercise in Badagry.
“If there is enforcement, people will comply; We know our people in Lagos, if you don’t enforce it they won’t come out,” he said.
He noted that some motorists still plied the Badagry expressway during the exercise, claiming ignorance.
“Enforcement is the key,” he added.
He said the exercise coincided with the burial rites of the late Akran of Badagry, as the day had been set aside for cleaning all eight quarters in the town.
“Women in all the eight quarters have come out with brooms to sweep their environment and gathered at Akran’s palace.
“On our own, we have moved from Ajara to expressway to Agbalata market in Badagry, the compliance is highly commendable,” he said.
He expressed optimism that participation would increase in subsequent exercises.
Mr. Martin Bankole, Leader of the BLG legislative Arm, said the council would revisit the law guiding the exercise to reintroduce stricter enforcement.
He described the exercise as successful, with residents cleaning and disposing of waste in vehicles of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
In the same vein, Council Manager, Mrs. Senami Avoseh, said compliance was acceptable for the first exercise and urged residents to keep their environment clean always.
Similarly, residents of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) turned out in large numbers on Saturday for the monthly environmental sanitation, following a mobilisation drive by the council Chairman, Dr Lukman Agbaje.
Agbaje, who monitored the exercise, commended the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for reintroducing the monthly sanitation programme, describing it as a step in the right direction.
“Let us first appreciate Gov. Sanwo-Olu for reintroducing environmental sanitation in Lagos State. It is a commendable initiative,” he said.
The chairman expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance, noting that many residents were actively cleaning their surroundings.
“I am impressed with what we have seen so far. People are complying, and many are carrying out sanitation within their compounds,” he said.
He urged residents to sustain the efforts by maintaining clean environment and avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
“We appeal to residents not to dump waste in gutters and drainage channels but to patronise approved waste managers in their communities,” Agbaje added.
He said the council had earlier embarked on extensive public enlightenment campaigns, including stakeholders’ meetings with artisans, traders, community leaders and transport unions, to sensitise residents on the importance of sanitation.
According to him, environmental sanitation holds every last Saturday of the month between 6.30 a.m and 8.30 a.m in the LCDA.
Also speaking, the Head of Environmental Services Department, Mrs. Rachel Adebisi, said the council had intensified efforts to promote hygiene and sanitation through stakeholder engagement and enforcement.
“This exercise has been successful. We have compactors moving around to clear refuse, and our task force is on the ground to arrest offenders who dump waste indiscriminately,” she said.
Adebisi noted visible improvements across the area, particularly in cleared road medians, adding that sanitation remained a continuous process supported by regular inspection and enforcement.
A resident, Mr. Sunday Odion, commended the chairman for leading by example and encouraging community participation.
“I am happy to see the chairman actively involved. It is impressive and will bring positive change to the community,” he said.
In a related development, Mr. Akinola Idowu, the Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, also led an inspection tour to mark the resumption of the monthly sanitation exercise.
Idowu, accompanied by council executives, visited strategic locations to monitor compliance.
He described the exercise as “a renewed commitment to community hygiene,” stressing that sanitation is not just routine but a civic responsibility that defines the health of the people.
Our reporters observed residents cleaning their surroundings, while some men evacuated waste from gutters.
Idowu who described cleanliness as a collective duty, urged households and marketplaces to contribute to a healthier Orile-Agege.
Commending residents for their participation, he said: “I appreciate those who actively joined today’s exercise. We must sustain this spirit and ensure strict adherence in the future.”
The chairman pledged stronger enforcement, assuring that monitoring would be intensified across all wards.
He noted that compliance was non-negotiable in achieving lasting cleanliness.
Idowu also highlighted gaps in waste disposal and promised improved strategies.
“We are listening to residents and adjusting our approach for better results,” he said.
He stressed that sanitation goes beyond sweeping streets, describing it as discipline, responsibility, and lifestyle.
Idowu also reminded the residents of their role in maintaining hygienic marketplaces with council executives noting that economic growth thrives in clean environments.
“This is not a one-off. We are building a sustainable culture of cleanliness that will benefit generations,” he added.
Some residents of Lagos on Saturday commended the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation but called for a review of the timeframe to enable wider participation.
The Lagos State Government had reinstated the exercise, which took effect from April 25, mandating residents to clean their surroundings, including drainages, and adjoining streets, on the last Saturday of every month between 6.30 a.m and 8.30 a.m.
A correspondent who monitored the exercise in Oke-Afa reported no vehicle movement. Residents were mostly chatting and drinking in groups, with a few cleaning their shops and surroundings as required.
Shops remained locked during the exercise, with business activities suspended.
Speaking, a trader at Balogun Market, Mr. Micheal Adindu, described the initiative as a welcome development but said the timing was too early for many traders to participate.
“I think the time is too early to allow people to get to their respective shops and business areas.
“I do not go to the market early; I usually leave home around 8.00 a.m daily. As a result, I am still at home and waiting for the restrictions to be lifted.
“If the time can be reviewed, perhaps starting from 8.30 a.m, it will enable more people to participate properly,” he said.
In the same vein, Mrs. Grace Raymond suggested that movement restrictions be relaxed to allow residents access to their business locations.
“I intend to clean the drainage in front of my shop, but I could not leave home before 6.00 a.m due to domestic chores.
“I have taken care of my home, but I am unable to get to my shop where I planned to carry out the cleaning,” she said.
A shop owner, Ms. Peace Chimere, however, faulted residents who used the sanitation period for leisure instead of participating.
She described the initiative as a good one that would improve environmental hygiene, reduce flooding and promote cleanliness, while urging the government to strengthen enforcement.
Meanwhile, residents of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) expressed mixed reactions to the exercise, citing inadequate time, poor sensitisation and low compliance.
Monitoring by NAN in Igbogbo, Baiyeku and adjoining communities showed that many residents remained indoors, with only a few cleaning their immediate environment.
Mrs. Titilayo Akinjopo, a businesswoman, said the two-hour window was insufficient.
“The time given is too short. Even when it was from 8.00 a.m to 10.00 a.m, it was not enough considering the level of dirt.
“The government should consider increasing the time to achieve meaningful results,” she said.
Mr. Atunde Ibrahim also criticised the level of awareness, noting that ongoing road construction was affecting the exercise.
“The sensitisation was not enough. The LCDA needs to do more because construction activities are disrupting drainage cleaning,” he said.
Mr. Akinola Igbekoyi emphasised the need for proper waste evacuation.
“The LCDA should ensure that all collected waste is promptly evacuated; otherwise, it will return to the drainage,” he said.
Mrs. Funke Adeyemi also lamented the short duration, saying it discouraged thorough cleaning.
“Two hours is not enough. By the time you gather tools and start, the time is almost over.
“The government should extend it to at least half a day,” she said.
Mr. Sadiq Lawal noted low compliance, saying many residents did not take the exercise seriously.
Responding, the Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Mr. Hammed Aroyewun, said the council had carried out extensive sensitisation before the exercise.
“We engaged the Community Development Committees, traditional and religious organisations, and used local radio for over a month to sensitise residents.
“However, we will continue to improve on identified challenges,” he said.
Aroyewun assured residents of proper waste evacuation, noting that the process would continue beyond the stipulated sanitation hours.
“We have several vehicles on the ground to clear waste, and we will not allow refuse to litter the environment again,” he said.
He warned that defaulters would be sanctioned, adding that offenders would be prosecuted accordingly.
Also speaking, the Director of Environmental Services in the LCDA, Mr. Adekunle Esso, attributed some of the challenges to ongoing construction activities.
“Construction debris often clogs drainage systems. Once projects are completed, we will ensure proper evacuation,” he said.
Esso added that the current exercise was part of a reorientation process following years of suspension, with stricter enforcement expected in subsequent exercises.
He urged residents to take ownership of their environment for sustainable sanitation.
By Aderonke Ojediran, Oluwaseun Nubi, Adepote Arowojobe, Moronke Boboye, Linda Ogbonna, Raji Rasak, Esenvosa Izah, Babatunde Ogunrinde, Kazeem Akande, Damilola Nubi and Lilian U. Okoro
President Bola Tinubu on Friday, April 24, 2026, administered the oath of office to Dr Muttaqha Darma as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Darma, from Katsina State, was sworn in at a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, following his confirmation by the Senate.
He replaced Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, who recently resigned.
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Dr Muttaqha Darma as the housing minister
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.
Tinubu congratulated Darma on his appointment and described the period as a challenging time for national development.
“You have a very rich and interesting background. As a leader, we need competent hands like yours.
“There is no doubt that you have rendered valuable services in all the assignments you have embarked upon. You are a fitting peg in the right position.”
Tinubu urged the new minister to remain ready to serve in any capacity required for national progress.
Darma is a scholar, administrator and development expert.
He holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University Kano and a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from University of Benin.
He is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Darma served as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund from 2008 to 2012.
He also held positions as Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, and Commissioner for Rural and Social Development in Katsina State.
Before his appointment, he was President of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Human Development Centre.
Meanwhile, Darma, has pledged to address Nigeria’s housing deficit through innovation, strategic planning and effective service delivery.
Darma spoke on Friday shortly after taking the oath of office before President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
He said public office came with responsibility and accountability to oneself, the people and God.
“I know I have been given responsibility, and I must deliver to the best of my ability.”
Darma assured Nigerians that positive changes would be seen in the housing sector in no distant time.
He acknowledged that the sector faced enormous challenges, especially the country’s huge housing shortfall.
According to him, Nigeria currently needs about 20 million housing units to provide accommodation for millions of citizens without homes.
He said meeting such demand would require substantial funding, long-term planning and practical reforms.
The minister, however, expressed confidence that strategic focus and creativity would help bridge the gap.
“We will bring a lot of innovation and creativity to ensure that we do well and many unhoused people will be housed,” he said.
Darma said he would first study the ministry’s operational realities before outlining detailed interventions.
He noted that private real estate developers were thriving, while many government housing assets remained unattractive or underutilised.
According to him, this suggested the need to review existing government housing models and identify gaps.
“There must be something we are not seeing and why we are having those challenges.”
He pledged to work toward making public housing more effective, accessible and sustainable.
Darma succeeds Ahmed Dangiwa, whose exit followed a minor Federal Executive Council (FEC) reshuffle announced by the Presidency on Tuesday.
The African Union and the European Commission have unveiled new health initiatives worth over €100 million to strengthen health security, digital systems and local manufacturing across Africa.
Dr Tolbert Geewleh Nyenswah, Director for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response at the Africa CDC, disclosed this on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during the agency’s weekly high-level regional press briefing.
Nyenswah said the initiatives, implemented under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, would support pandemic preparedness and response, strengthen National Public Health Institutes, and expand digital health systems for primary healthcare delivery.
Dr Tolbert Geewleh Nyenswah, Director for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response at the Africa CDC
He said that the programme would also promote a One Health approach, integrating human, animal and environmental health systems to improve detection and response to disease threats.
According to him, the partnership marks a significant step towards building resilient and self-reliant health systems driven by African priorities.
Nyenswah said that the initiative would advance digital transformation across the continent, enabling countries to leverage data and emerging technologies to improve surveillance, service delivery and health outcomes.
The director further said that Africa CDC was strengthening collaboration on innovation following engagements with Abiy Ahmed Ali, the African Union’s champion on artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
He said discussions highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence and digital tools in improving access to care and accelerating responses to public health emergencies.
On financing, Nyenswah emphasised the need for increased domestic investment and efficient resource utilisation, noting that declining external assistance requires countries to take greater ownership of their health systems.
He called for a shift from fragmented, donor-driven interventions to coordinated, country-led approaches that deliver measurable impact for communities.
He said the new initiatives aligned with Africa CDC’s broader agenda to advance health security and sovereignty, including local manufacturing, institutionalisation of pandemic preparedness frameworks and sustainable financing.
The global natural gas market outlook has been significantly altered by the conflict in the Middle East, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest quarterly gas market report, with a major supply shock disrupting market fundamentals and pushing back an expected wave of new LNG supply.
The disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March has created unprecedented uncertainty, removing close to 20% of global LNG supply from the market and triggering sharp price increases across key importing regions.During a period of intense volatility in March, natural gas prices in Asia and Europe rose to their highest levels since January 2023, contributing to a contraction in naturalgas demand in key LNG importing markets.
The global natural gas market outlook has been altered by the conflict in the Middle East
The crisis has reversed a trend of market rebalancing observed during the 2025/26 heating season, when strong growth in LNG supply – supported by new liquefaction capacity, particularly in North America – helped ease prices. Global LNG trade increased by 12% year-on-year in the October-to-February period, while benchmark prices in Europe and Asia declined by around 25% over the same five-month period.
Despite this, cold weather events, including major winter storms in North America, Europe and East Asia, led to strong spikes in gas demand, underlining the continued importance of gas supply flexibility for energy security, including in systems with rising shares of weather-dependent renewable generation.
Market conditions shifted abruptly in March as the Middle East conflict resulted in the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz to LNG cargoes. Global LNG production declined by 8% year-on-year, with a sharp drop in exports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates only partially offset by higher output from other regions. As the disruptions began to spread through global supply chains, LNG deliveries also fell, with a more pronounced decline observed in April.
Natural gas demand has weakened in key importing markets in response to higher prices, milder weather and policy measures aimed at reducing gas consumption. In Europe, natural gas demand declined by around 4% year-on-year in March, largely driven by stronger renewable electricity generation. Several Asian countries are implementing fuel-switching and demand-side measures to limit gas use amid the supply crisis.
Beyond the immediate disruption, the crisis is expected to have implications for the medium-term outlook. Damage to LNG liquefaction infrastructure in Qatar is set to reduce projected supply growth and delay the impact of the anticipated global LNG expansion wave by at least two years.
The combined effect of short-term supply losses and slower capacity growth could result in a cumulative loss of around 120 billion cubic metres of LNG supply between 2026 and 2030. While new liquefaction projects in other regions are expected to offset these losses over time, the impact will prolong tight markets through 2026 and 2027.
The report highlights the importance of strengthening global gas supply security through continued adequate investment across the LNG value chain and enhanced international cooperation between producers and consumers. It also notes the advantages that a diversified portfolio of long-term contracts can bring for gas importers in terms of mitigating price volatility in periods of disruption.
Experts and author teams of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are meeting this week at the Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile, to advance the first draft of the Working Group I contribution to the Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). The Working Group I report covers the physical science related to climate change.
The meeting, scheduled from April 21 to 24, 2026, is the second time the authors will be meeting in person following the first meeting held jointly with Working Group II and III in Paris in December 2025, where they began their work. The authors will meet two more times during the report preparation process to develop and refine the draft in line with IPCC’s principles and procedures.
IPCC Working Group I Co‑Chair, Robert Vautard
“This is an important milestone in the preparation of the Working Group I contribution to the Seventh Assessment Report,” said IPCC Working Group I Co‑Chair, Robert Vautard.
“Building on their initial discussions in Paris, authors are now advancing the detailed scientific assessment needed to develop a robust First Order Draft of our report. These scientific exchanges are at the heart of the IPCC assessment process,” he added.
The Expert Review of the First Order Draft of the Working Group I report is scheduled from 10 August to 2 October 2026. In addition, as with all other IPCC reports, the Working Group I report will undergo two further formal review stages, including a joint review by governments and experts, before the final government review and approval by IPCC member governments at the Panel’s plenary session prior to public release.
“The multi‑stage review process ensures that the report is comprehensive, balanced and policy‑relevant without being policy‑prescriptive. This is how the IPCC builds trust in its assessments,” said IPCC Working Group I Co‑Chair Xiaoye Zhang.
The author teams of the Working Group I contribution to AR7 include 193 Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors and Review Editors from 62 countries – 40% new to the IPCC process. 43% of these experts are women, and 46% come from developing countries and economies in transition including three from Chile.
A major global energy disruption linked to tensions in the Middle East is exposing a less visible but deeply consequential crisis for Africa: the environmental fallout of rising fuel costs.
As oil and gas prices surge globally – driven in part by instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy trade – many African countries are experiencing ripple effects that extend far beyond economics.
While much of the global focus has centered on inflation and slowing growth, experts warn that the environmental consequences – particularly in low-income, energy-constrained economies – are being overlooked.
Peter Mwesiga
A Shift Back to Biomass
According to Kampala-based climate and energy consultant, Peter Mwesiga, the environmental impacts of energy shocks are often indirect but deeply structural.
“When modern fuels become unaffordable, households revert to charcoal and firewood,” Mwesiga explains.
“That accelerates deforestation, land degradation, and black carbon emissions.”
He draws parallels with the COVID-19 pandemic, when economic strain pushed many households away from cleaner fuels like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), reversing gains in clean energy adoption.
The consequences extend beyond the environment.
Increased reliance on biomass fuels worsens indoor air pollution, posing significant public health risks while contributing to climate change.
Policy Trade-offs and Delayed Transitions
Energy crises also reshape government priorities.
Faced with fiscal pressure, many African governments prioritize short-term fuel stabilization over long-term climate investments.
“This delays renewable energy expansion and locks countries into more carbon-intensive systems,” Mwesiga says.
In contrast, higher fuel prices in parts of Europe have accelerated the transition to cleaner technologies, including electric vehicles – highlighting a widening gap in how different regions respond to the same shock.
Africa’s Uneven Environmental Outcome
Across Africa, the environmental impact is mixed but largely negative at the household level.
Higher fuel prices may temporarily reduce vehicle use and emissions. However, in cities with limited public transport, this often results in reduced mobility rather than sustained environmental gains.
More critically, rising LPG prices are reversing progress in clean cooking.
Evidence from countries such as Ghana and Kenya shows that LPG demand is highly sensitive to price increases, pushing households back toward biomass fuels.
The result: increased pressure on forests, higher emissions at the household level, and growing reliance on inefficient energy systems.
Malawi’s Reality
In Malawi, the effects are already visible.
Fewer than 20 percent of the population has access to electricity, and even those connected face persistent outages.
In March 2026, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) raised LPG prices by nearly 20 percent, citing rising global costs and supply chain pressures.
For many households, LPG is now unaffordable.
The fallback has been predictable: increased reliance on charcoal and firewood. This shift is accelerating deforestation and weakening the country’s resilience to climate shocks such as droughts and floods.
A Structural Environmental Risk
Beyond Africa, the crisis itself is contributing to global emissions through disrupted energy systems and, in some cases, damage to oil infrastructure.
While such emissions may be temporary, the longer-term risk lies in how countries respond.
A prolonged return to fossil fuels could delay global climate action and entrench carbon-intensive systems.
A Narrow Window of Opportunity
Despite the risks, the crisis presents an opportunity.
Mwesiga argues that African countries could use this moment to accelerate investments in renewable energy, decentralised systems like solar mini-grids, and electrified cooking solutions.
However, he cautions that such outcomes are not automatic.
“Without deliberate policy, financing, and planning, governments may default to short-term fossil fuel solutions,” he says.
“The real opportunity is to use this crisis to drive structural transformation.”
Seplat Energy Plc, Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy producer listed in Lagos and London, has secured a series of independent regulatory, market, and industry recognitions that underscore growing investor confidence in its governance standards, financial discipline, and growth execution.
On April 14, 2026, Seplat became the first company on the Nigerian Exchange to cross the ₦10,000-per-share level, with the stock rising to about ₦10,450, a move analysts say reflects strong institutional demand and confidence in the company’s expanded asset base and earnings outlook.
Separately, the company won the Platinum Award at the ICAN–NGX Regulation Limited Corporate Reporting Awards on April 21, ranking first overall among leading listed companies.
Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown
The award assesses firms on financial reporting quality, corporate governance, and sustainability disclosures, with an emphasis on transparency, compliance with international standards, and the integration of environmental, social, and governance factors.
Market participants view such recognition as a signal of reduced reporting and governance risk, particularly important for companies accessing both domestic and international capital markets.
Seplat also entered the Top 10 Most Valuable Brands in Nigeria for the first time, ranking ninth in the 2026 Brand Finance Nigeria 25 Report.
Brand Finance said Seplat recorded the fastest brand value growth among the ranked companies, with brand value rising 97% to ₦194.5 billion, driven by higher production, improved cash generation and consolidation of offshore assets.
“Standout growth from Seplat Energy shows that the market continues to reward operational discipline and strong strategic positioning,” Brand Finance Nigeria Managing Director, Babatunde Odumeru, said in the report.
In addition, Seplat won the Energy Company CSR Excellence Award at the Energy Times Awards 2026 and was named Outstanding Energy Company of the Year 2025 at the Industry Newspaper Awards, reflecting its community investment and sustainability initiatives.
Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, said earlier this year that the company’s expansion into offshore operations, alongside strong onshore output, had strengthened cash flow and lowered its cost of debt.
Seplat has said it remains on track to deliver a planned $1 billion cumulative return of capital to shareholders by 2030, as it seeks to balance growth, shareholder returns and Nigeria’s energy transition objectives.
Seplat Energy is listed on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Exchange and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
