The Managing Director of Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA), Prof. Philip Phil-Eze, says no fewer than 160 communities in the state are at the risk of gully erosion menace.
Erosion site in Awka, Anambra State
Phil-Eze said this at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the use of “Local Knowledge to Combat Erosion” in Awka, the state capital, on Friday.
The workshop was organised by Environment Development Initiative for Africa (EDIA), a non-governmental organisation on environmental sustainability, in collaboration with ANSEWCCA
Phil-Eze, who presented a paper titled “Expanding Interventions in the Control of Soil Erosion in Anambra State Through Local Action”, said the state was one of the most degraded and erosion-ravaged landscapes in Africa.
He said soil erosion was as a result of a number of factors including natural and man made, and called for pragmatic local remedial measures and approaches towards preventing the menace by nipping it in the bud.
According to Phil-Eze, 160 communities out of the 179 communities in the state are facing erosion hazards.
“Natural causes of erosion menace include intensity of rainfall, flood/runoff, lithology (loose soil type), topography and scarce vegetation cover.
“Man-made causes include the culture of negligence, cutting down trees, indiscriminate waste disposal, lack of harvesting rainwater, sand mining, modern roofing styles and interlock tiles, inadequate knowledge of the environment, lack of involvement of the local communities in erosion control.
“Others are poor termination of drainage channels, wrongly terminated or diverted channels by contractors during construction, land use patterns in buildings and developments without plans to accommodate erosion and unhealthy farming practice,” he said.
Phil-Eze warned residents to desist from unhealthy environmental practices which had the potential to exacerbate the menace.
Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, the Director of Research and Publication for EDIA, said the objective of the exercise was to encourage positive behavioral attitude towards environmental sustainability.
He said the capacity building workshop was timely and critical considering the fact that Anambra was a serious concern in terms of erosion, flooding and other environmental hazards.
According to him, this event is engaging, interactive and participatory to ensure effective transfer of needed knowledge and skills.
Dr Felix Odimegwu, Commissioner for Environment, commended the organisers of the programme which he described as “a timely intervention”.
Odimegwu, who was represented by Mr Tochukwu Obodogha, the Permanent Secretary, said prevention was the best approach in erosion control.
According to him, the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo prioritises environmental sustainability, and the ministry would continue to encourage environmental best practices in the state.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Friday, April 11, 2025, said that the nation’s crude oil reserves stood at 37.28 billion barrels (bb) as of Jan. 1, 2025.
Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive of NUPRC
The commission also said that Nigeria’s gas reserves hit 210.54 trillion Cubic Feet (tcf).
Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, who stated this said that oil and condensate reserves stood at 31.44bb and 5.84bb respectively, amounting to a total of 37.28 bb.
The figure is against the 37.50 bb of proven crude oil reserves and proven natural gas reserves 209.26 tcf recorded in 2024.
Komolafe said the Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stood at 101.03 tcf and 109.51 tcf, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf.
According to Komolafe, the commission in keeping with its mandate as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021), is committed to driving the efficiency and effectiveness of the upstream oil and gas sector.
He assured enhancing the growth of oil and gas reserves towards ensuring sustainable increase in production for shared prosperity, as articulated in the Regulatory Action Plan for 2024 and the Near Term.
“Against the foregoing, I am pleased to present to you an overview of the nation’s oil, condensate, associated gas, and non-associated gas reserves as of January 1, 2025, as follows:
“Crude Oil and Condensate reserves stands at 31.44bb and 5.84bb respectively, amounting to a total of 37.28bb.
“Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stands at 101.03 tcf and 109.51 tcf, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf.
“The Reserves Life Index is 64 Years and 93 Years for Oil and Gas, respectively.
“In view of the above, and in furtherance of Chapter 1, Part III, Section 7 (g), (i), (j), (k), (m), (q), (r), and other powers enabling me in this respect, I, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CCE, hereby declare the total oil and condensate reserves of 37.28bb.
“And total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf as the official National Petroleum Reserves Position as of Jan. 1, 2025,’’ he said.
Nigeria’s gas export has dipped following three sabotage attacks on a major pipeline in Bayelsa State which feeds the Nigeria Liquid Natural Gas (NLNG) export terminal in Bonny, Rivers State.
Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Wale Tinubu
The Ogboinbiri-Obiobi 24-inch Gas Pipeline between Angiama and Angiamagbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa was blown up on three spots on April 3, 2025.
Oando PLC, operators of the facility, confirmed on Friday, April 11, that the breached pipeline has been shut down to avert further pollution and to pave way for investigation.
The confirmation is contained in a statement issued by Idongesit Edet, Assistant Manager, Public Relations and Internal Communications at Oando PLC.
“Oando PLC confirms three separate attacks on its pipelines over the past week.
“In line with best practices, the company immediately activated its emergency response plans and commenced containment efforts at the affected sites to minimize environmental impact.
“The company also immediately deployed its leak repair teams to the affected sites and is working closely with relevant authorities to promptly carry out a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV),” Edet stated.
JIV is a statutory probe into every reported oil/gas leak incident by regulators, operator and host community to ascertain the cause of leak, volume of leak and impacted areas.
According to Oando, the assessment by the joint investigation team will help determine the extent as well as the root cause of the sabotage, which will enable the company to implement lasting solutions.
“Following the JIV, Oando will initiate full scale repairs on the affected pipelines towards ensuring operations resume as quickly as possible, whilst prioritizing the safety of people, the protection of the environment, and well-being of the communities.
“The company is committed to providing further updates as more information becomes available,” Oando stated.
Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Dr Danladi Jatau, has called for deliberate efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change on society.
Participants at the public hearing on the Nasarawa Climate Change Bill
The speaker made the call while declaring open a public hearing on the Nasarawa Climate Change Bill, organised by the House Committee on Housing and Environment on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Lafia, the state capital.
He condemned harmful human activities that are causing harm to public health, the safety of humans and animals, and contributing to environmental degradation.
Jatau, who lamented the negative impacts of climate change, urged participants to make contributions that would assist the Assembly in passing a law capable of addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Represented by the Member, Doma South Constituency, Mr Musa Ibrahim, the speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to addressing climate change in the state.
“Climate change has become a serious issue of concern among the international community of nations.
“Hence, the need to join forces and come up with workable laws that will help to mitigate the devastating effects of this menace.
“The international community is deeply concerned about the situation and is working hard to provide solutions.
“Nasarawa State cannot afford to be a bystander, this is what informed the Assembly’s decision to propose this law,” he said.
Jatau explained that the bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by the Chairman of the Housing and Environment Committee, Mr. Mohammed Omadefu, in partnership with GIFSEP and OXFAM.
GIFSEP stands for Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation.
He appreciated all who took part in the public hearing, saying their participation reflected genuine concern for climate change issues.
“And how to address the challenge before it causes serious damage to the health and wellbeing of the people,” he added.
Chairman of the Committee and sponsor of the bill, Mr. Mohammed Omadefu, stated that the bill was developed in collaboration with GIFSEP and OXFAM, international NGOs focused on environmental sustainability.
“The bill was the result of discussions with the NGOs, who deemed it necessary for the state to have a legal framework to mitigate the effects of climate change,” he said.
He added that, once enacted, the law would position Nasarawa among states eligible to benefit from upcoming international climate financing initiatives.
During the hearing, Executive Director of GIFSEP, Dr David Michael, noted that Nasarawa is highly vulnerable to climate change due to human and industrial activities impacting the environment.
He called on both the government and citizens to work together to implement people-friendly policies aimed at mitigating climate change for the benefit of the state.
Experts say African governments must act urgently to protect jobs and livelihoods as climate change threatens 83 per cent of Africa’s jobs and the labour market.
UN Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr. Claver Gatete
The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said this in a statement on its website.
The experts spoke at a high-level side event of the 11th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD).
The event was organised by the Macroeconomic Policy, Finance and Governance Division of the UN ECA.
It focused on the findings of the Economic Report on Africa 2023 and 2024.
Ms. Nadia Ouedraogo, an Economic Affairs Officer at ECA, revealed that informal employment accounted for 83 per cent of all jobs in Africa in 2024.
Ouedraogo said sectors such as agriculture, construction, and services sectors were highly vulnerable to climate-induced shocks.
“Women and youth are especially at risk of job and income losses due to environmental degradation, erratic weather patterns and seasonal disruptions,” she said.
Moderating the session, Ms. Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of the Macroeconomic Policy Division, said climate change was not only destroying livelihoods but also threatening financial and macroeconomic stability across Africa.
“While these climate-related shocks are eroding growth and fiscal buffers, they also present opportunities for transformation through green innovation and investment,” Schwidrowski said.
In his remarks, Mr. Sam Koojo, Assistant Commissioner at Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, called for stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector and development partners.
“We must collaborate, co-create solutions, and prioritise climate action that drives job creation and inclusive growth,” he said.
Echoing the urgency, Mr. Andrew Allieu, a Senior Economist with the ILO Regional Office for Africa, warned that climate change could displace millions and widen social inequalities.
“The livelihoods of 1.2 billion workers who depend on natural resources are at risk.
” Heat stress alone is already causing a 2.3 per cent loss in working hours and that could translate to 14 million jobs lost by 2030,” he said.
Mr. Etienne Espagne, Senior Climate Economist at the World Bank, stressed the need for coordinated regional action to build high-skill, climate-resilient jobs.
“Aligning supply chains with regional strengths will reduce risks and ensure shared prosperity. Early investment in renewables and innovation is essential to secure green jobs,” Espagne added.
Also speaking, Ms. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, emphasised that public-private partnerships are key to attracting green investments and fostering inclusive development.
“Women must be fully included in the green transition not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders in decision-making and innovation,” she said.
Panelists also raised concern about projected economic losses, with a one per cent rise in temperature potentially cutting Africa’s GDP by 2.2 per cent by 2030, particularly impacting West Africa.
They warned that without targeted policies, the shift away from fossil fuels could worsen inequality, especially in West and Central Africa.
The experts estimated that the carbon market alone could create up to 400 million jobs by 2050, in addition to those in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
The session concluded with calls to scale up reskilling programmes for youth and informal workers, strengthen social protection, and unlock innovative financing to accelerate Africa’s green transition.
The Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan (2024-2044) has projected the fast-developing axis of Ibeju-Lekki for tourism, industrial, residential, and agricultural developments, among others.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, speaking during the final stakeholders’ meeting at the Lekki LCDA Secretariat
This was made known on Friday, April 11, 2025, by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, during the final stakeholders’ meeting in Lekki LCDA Secretariat to ratify the provisions of the Model City Plan.
Olumide, who highlighted the objectives and benefits of the Plan, said that its preparation marked a significant milestone in the development of Ibeju-Lekki, the emerging growth pole of Lagos State.
“The 20-year plan aims to create a sustainable, flexible, and dynamic global community, enhancing the area’s economic potential in Agriculture, Tourism, Blue and Border Economy, and Marine activities,” he said.
He added that the Lagos State Government, in recognition of the growth potential of the axis, had mandated the review of the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan and the preparation of separate Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan to pay adequate attention to challenges emerging from the division of entire Lekki corridor project area into two.
He said that the aim of the Plan was to transform Ibeju-Lekki into a sustainable, flexible, conducive, adaptable and dynamic global community where people could live, work, play, prosper and enjoy a safe decent built environment.
He said that the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan had taken cognisance of the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda and major development projects in the area, including Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Deep Seaport and Alaro City, among others.
Other projects that have launched Ibeju-Lekki into global prominence include Lekki International Airport, Green-Line Rail Project, and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He said that, to unlock the full potential of the area and create thriving communities, the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan had prioritised the provision of mass transit of people and goods, youth empowerment, social inclusion, technology, and integrated community development.
He enjoined all stakeholders to embrace the plan and play active role in shaping the future of Ibeju-Lekki through the forward-looking Plan that is part of Lagos State’s broader vision to create well-planned, economically vibrant and sustainable cities, in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, said that the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan was presented to the public for final ratification after the Ministry had approved the previous stages from the consultants, MOA Planners Limited, which was awarded the project in line with the blueprint of the State Government.
He explained that the Plan had earlier gone through different stages, including the inception and baseline report, the draft final Plan and the mandatory 28-day public inspection of the draft Plan, which was carried out from February 26 to April 1, 2024 in five strategic locations, including Ibeju-Lekki Local General Secretariat, Lekki LCDA Secretariat, Epe Local General Secretariat, LASPPPPA Headquarters and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki LCDA, Abdulahi Sesan Oluwa, and his Lekki LCDA counterpart, Rasak Kasali, expressed satisfaction with the plan’s boundary capture and requested a one-month grace period to submit a joint input to further enrich the Plan.
The meeting was attended by Obas, Baales, former Council Chairmen, Community leaders, market men and women, and other stakeholders who participated actively and offered suggestions and feedback that would be incorporated into the plan for it to reflect the people’s vision for Ibeju-Lekki’s development.
The Lagos State Government has sealed no fewer than 13 markets and commercial facilities, located along the Ketu and Ikorodu Road axis.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab
This is contained in a statement by Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, Director, Public Affairs, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), on Friday, April 11, 2025, in Lagos.
The statement said the action followed series of unheeded warnings and environmental abuse, by market operators and traders in the affected areas.
The affected markets and facilities are Erukan, Oja Oba, Ketu, Owoseni Tundas, Oba Ogunjobi, Mile 12 and the Ketu Terminal Market (six plazas) as well as Shop Owners at BRT Terminal. Others are Ifesowapo Shop Owners Market and Demurin Street Plaza Shops, Ketu, Occupant, 6 Demurin Road, Ketu, Ifelodun market in Ketu.
Others include the Ibadan Unit 1 Park (between Babajide Sanwo-Olu Market and Ikosi Fruit Market), Ketu Tipper Garage and Ikosi Fruit Market.
Commenting on the development, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, reiterated the state’s unwavering stance on its “Zero Tolerance for Waste” campaign.
Wahab warned that any market or commercial outlet that failed to meet the prescribed standards of cleanliness and proper waste disposal, would be shut down indefinitely.
“The zero tolerance for waste initiative is still fully in force. We are not going back on it.
“The only acceptable path for all markets and traders is to adopt and maintain decent waste management practices, as outlined LAWMA.
“The markets under closure will remain shut until these standards are met and sustained,” Wahab said.
He stressed that the closures would remain in place indefinitely, until all affected markets implemented comprehensive sanitation measures, procure appropriate waste bins and engage with LAWMA-licensed PSP operators.
He added that the affected markets and facilities must demonstrate sustained compliance through monitoring and enforcement.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, urged market leaders to take full responsibility for the environmental conditions of their domains, by ensuring that all traders complied with existing waste management protocols.
“The expectations are clear: use the double dino bins, avoid dumping waste on road medians and roadsides, thereby obstructing traffic, activate internal waste policing, to monitor compliance within your markets.
“Pay your waste bills. Markets that continue to defy these basic regulations will face stiff sanctions,” Gbadegesin said.
He warned that the enforcement drive would be intensified in the coming weeks and that no facility would be spared, if found wanting in its environmental responsibility.
Gbadegesin reiterated LAWMA’s commitment to working with all stakeholders in building a cleaner Lagos.
He noted that the cooperation of market associations, traders and residents, was critical to achieving lasting results.
“LAWMA continues to deploy massive resources daily to evacuate market waste across the city. But these efforts are often undermined by poor internal waste practices.
“This has to change. Market leaders must do more to ensure their members operate within the bounds of the law,” Gbadegesin said.
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, during what looks like the largest mobilisation of Indigenous peoples in Brazil, a strongly worded letter from civil society was handed to the COP30 Presidency, emphasising demands for the end of fossil fuels and a just energy transition.
COP30 President, Andre Correa do Lago
Ahead of the UN climate negotiations in Brazil in November, the letter was received by COP30 President, André Corrêa do Lago, and Brazil’s Environment and Climate Change Minister, Marina Silva, who attended the Acampamento Terra Livre (ATL), or Free Land Camp in Brasília. Sonia Guajajara, from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), was also present at the event with Indigenous Leaders.
Over 180 Indigenous, youth, and environmental organisations from across the world have signed on to the letter, coordinated by 350.org, to urgently demand that COP30 reaffirms the global commitment, and supports the implementation of a fair and equitable transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy.
A declaration of alliance between Indigenous peoples from the Amazon, the Pacific and Australia towards COP30 was also announced at the beginning of the event. The actions are part of the Indigenous movement’s global campaign “We Are the Answer”, which affirms that Indigenous peoples and the demarcation of Indigenous Lands are essential in the fight against the climate crisis – and central to the demand for an end to the fossil fuel era.
George Nacewa, Pacific Climate Warrior and 350.org community organiser from Fiji, said: “This is a critical time for our people; the age of deliberation is long past. We need this COP to be the one that spearheads the Just Energy Transition from words to action. This week, I’ve heard the wisdom of the custodians of this land and shared the wisdom of our own oceans. It is now up to the Brazil COP presidency if they heed this Indigenous climate leadership, or lock us into climate catastrophe.”
Toya Manchineri, COIAB General Coordinator, said:“We demand an end to the era of fossil fuels and a just energy transition. The COP30 president said that the conference must be a turning point – this will only happen when the climate authority of Indigenous peoples is heard and incorporated into decisions. The answer is us, all of us!”
Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Founder & Executive Director of Sacred Earth, said:“Sacred Earth is proud to be in solidarity with our kin at the Acampamento Terra Livre as we collectively call on the COP30 President-designate to take urgent, transformative climate action. COP30 represents a unique opportunity to encourage global cooperation on a fossil fuel phase-out and renewable energy uptake. In this energy transition, we must ensure that our communities are not further excluded by climate policies or harmed by extractivism.
“We stand with our relatives who are fighting for their rights, defending the land, and leading the way forward. As we witness the climate crisis escalating, Indigenous sovereignty, rights, and leadership create powerful pathways to a Just Transition – it is imperative that Indigenous wisdom and voices are respected at COP30 and beyond.”
Diplomats at the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have agreed to the world’s first-ever carbon pricing mechanism applied to a major polluting industry – global shipping.
A session at the IMO global talks in London aimed at securing net-zero deal for shipping
On Friday, April 11, 2025, at IMO headquarters in London, countries voted during the closing plenary to adopt a global framework that will put a carbon price on shipping emissions that will help the industry decarbonise and encourage the use of cleaner technologies. The overall policy is expected to be formally adopted in October 2025, though several technical details remain unresolved.
Top lines
The tax will generate$30–40 billion in revenues by 2030 roughly $10 billion annually.
The agreement is projected to deliver at best 10% absolute emissions reduction in the shipping sector by 2030- far short of the IMO’s own targets set in their 2023 revised strategy, which calls for at least a 20% cut by 2030, with a stretch goal of 30%.
The funds will be ringfenced for decarbonising the maritime sector alone and not go towards climate financing for developing countries.
Starting in 2028, ships will be required either to transition to lower-carbon fuel mixes or pay for the excess emissions they generate. Vessels that continue to burn conventional fossil fuels will face a $380 per tonne fee on the most intensive portion of their emissions, and $100 per tonne on remaining emissions above a certain threshold.
The policy, which was backed by 63 countries including Brazil, China, the EU, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal and Namibia, sets a global precedent: Despite objections from petro-states like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Russia, and Venezuela – who opposed both the substance and the procedure of the agreement – Norway’s compromise proposal, as the Chair of the IMO, passed in the final vote.
At UN climate talks in Baku in November 2024, countries agreed to a post-2025 $1.3 trillion climate finance deal to support developing countries in the energy transition. Countries are looking to public, private and innovative sources of finance to close the climate finance gap.
Votes breakdown: *63 in favor: including the EU, China, India, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Singapore, Norway, Kenya, Namibia and Senegal *16 against: including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Algeria and Morocco *25 abstentions: including Pacific Island states (such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji), Seychelles, Egypt, Ghana, Liberia, Madagascar, and Uganda
The US delegation was not present at the time of the vote and stuck to its principle of not engaging in negotiations, after circulating a text encouraging delegations to walk out from negotiations as revealed earlier on Wednesday, April 9.
Tuvalu, speaking on behalf of Pacific nations, voiced disappointment in the plenary, raising concerns about the lack of transparency in the process, exclusion of vulnerable nations from negotiations, and raised the point that the new plan will fail to incentivise the use of cleaner fuels.
A group of 60+ countries led by the Pacific had pushed for the revenue to go towards broader climate finance use beyond the shipping industry.
The carbon pricing mechanism, based on emissions intensity, will initially allow the use of fossil liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, the regulation will progressively penalise the use of gas by the shipping industry.
Minister Antony Derjacques of the Seychelles said:“The developing countries with the greatest need came here and offered a solution. How can the other major economies ask us to take a weak deal home to our people, who are suffering as a result of the climate crisis? And how can they take it back to their constituents?”
Maria Ogbugo, Senior Associate, African Future Policies Hub, said:“In the end, the best possible outcome was achieved. The shipping industry has taken the lead in showing other hard-to-abate sectors that climate action is possible. African delegations must be commended, including Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and others who rose to the occasion and supported the compromise.
“Now that the IMO has agreed on measures that would apply on a global level, it is key that the various regional emissions schemes start seriously considering pulling back on their unilateral measures to avoid multiplicity of schemes piling up layer after layer of costs on African consumers.”
Faten Aggad, Executive Director, African Futures Policies Hub, said: “Reaching consensus on decarbonisation measures was bound to be difficult. But what we clearly saw is a consensus outcome that was supported by many nations including African states like Kenya, Senegal, Namibia, and South Africa. What we have now is a measure that still puts a price on the shipping sector’s emissions, which is an important starting point on which more ambition could be further built, without creating shocks on economically vulnerable countries.”
Eldine Glees, Maritime Policy Advisor at the Micronesian Centre for Sustainable Transport, said: “A universal carbon levy represents a rare opportunity to transform climate risks into sustainable development investment. Several African delegations demonstrated exceptional leadership in the technical negotiations by connecting the levy directly to critical priorities of food security, climate resilience, and equitable revenue distribution. Maintaining this united approach will be essential as implementation discussions begin.”
Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Environment, Energy, and Disaster Management of Vanuatu, said: “Let us be clear about who has abandoned 1.5°C. Saudi Arabia, the US and fossil fuel allies pushed down the numbers to an untenable level and blocked progress at every turn. These countries – and others – failed to support a set of measures that would have gotten the shipping industry onto a 1.5°C pathway. And they turned away a proposal for a reliable source of revenue for those of us in dire need of finance to help with climate impacts.”
Ambassador Albon Ishoda, Marshall Islands Special Envoy for Maritime Decarbonisation, said: “We are not done. We will be back. Alongside our friends from the Caribbean, the Pacific, Africa, Central America, and the UK. Still standing. Still steering.”
Across Nigeria, from the bustling streets of Lagos to the quiet neighbourhoods of Enugu and the vibrant markets of Kano, ultra-processed food (UPF) companies are saturating the country with flashy adverts for sugary drinks, snacks and products targeted at children. These items are everywhere – in schools, churches, and on social media – and they are cheap.
Sugar-sweetened beverages
Yet behind the bright colours and sweet flavours lies a growing threat to children’s health. Global health authorities, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), have repeatedly warned that the widespread consumption of these unhealthy diets is driving a surge in poor nutrition, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other long-term health risks worldwide, a trend now clearly visible among Nigeria’s youngest.
Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made with little to no whole foods. They are typically loaded with additives, preservatives, artificial flavours, and excessive amounts of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Common examples include sugary cereals, carbonated drinks, instant noodles, and packaged snacks.
According to a 2021 report by the Global Nutrition Report, Nigeria is experiencing a rapid increase in the consumption of UPFs, with children emerging as the main targets. The tactics employed by food companies to reach this demographic are both calculated and manipulative.
Brightly coloured packaging featuring popular cartoon characters, free toys, and school-based promotions are just a few of the carefully crafted strategies adopted to capture and captivate young minds. Celebrities and influencers often viewed as role models are also paid to normalise and endorse these products, making them appear desirable, aspirational, and harmless.
For instance, a recent campaign by a leading carbonated drink brand featured a popular Nigerian musician encouraging children to “share the joy” by consuming the product. Even institutions that should serve as protective and nurturing spaces for children, such as schools and religious centres, have become conduits for these aggressive marketing campaigns.
The consequences of this unchecked exposure are dire. A 2023 study published in The Lancet revealed that children who consume high amounts of UPFs are 45 percent more likely to develop obesity and related health complications. In Nigeria, the statistics are equally grim. A 2022 report by the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare found that childhood obesity rates have tripled in the past decade, with UPFs identified as a key contributor. Type 2 diabetes, once rare among children, is now on the rise and has a become a growing concern for many.
What makes these commercial bombardments by the ultra-processed foods industry particularly insidious is how they tap into children’s psychological vulnerabilities. By linking their products to happiness, fun, and social belonging, they create powerful emotional associations.
Schools, often underfunded and under-resourced, have become prime targets. Companies sponsor school events, provide free samples, and even distribute branded educational materials.
Online, the problem is even more pervasive. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are flooded with advertisements featuring influencers who glamorise the consumption of UPFs. A study by Ada Mac -Ozibgo found that 70 percent of food advertisements targeting children on social media are for unhealthy products.
Given the scale and urgency of this challenge, regulatory action could not be more urgent. Countries like Mexico and Chile have already taken bold steps by banning the advertisement of UPFs within school environments and during children’s television programmes. These policies reflect a clear understanding of the long-term health costs of inaction. Nigeria must follow suit. The federal government, alongside public health authorities, must enact and enforce similar restrictions to shield children from a health crisis that is both preventable and rapidly worsening.
Parents, caregivers, and guardians also have a critical role to play. By educating the children in their care about healthy eating habits and limiting their exposure to UPFs, they can help foster healthier choices and build resilience against the overwhelming pressure of corporate marketing. Likewise, schools and religious institutions must prioritise the health of children by rejecting exploitative sponsorships from food companies.
After all, every time a child reaches for a sugary drink or a packet of instant noodles, they are not just consuming empty calories, but also ingesting a future fraught with health complications. No child should be left to navigate a food environment deliberately engineered to hook them early and keep them hooked. Nigeria’s children deserve better than a lifetime of diet-related illnesses packaged in glossy wrappers. They deserve protection, accountability, and a food system built around their healthy development.
Ukeaja is a healthy food advocate and Industry Monitoring Officer at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
