Tinubu rallies global leaders for coordinated action on climate-induced migration

President Bola Tinubu has called for stronger international cooperation and the adoption of people-centered policies to manage the rising phenomenon of climate-induced mobility.

The President delivered the charge on Wednesday in Abuja during the opening of a Special Event on Climate-Induced Mobility. 

The high-level meeting, held in Abuja, served as Nigeria’s final official engagement as the Chair of the Rabat Process—a regional migration dialogue involving African and European nations.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu emphasized that for Nigeria and the wider African continent, climate migration is not an abstract concept but a lived reality.

He noted that while migration has historically been a tool for adaptation, the current scale of environmental pressure has fundamentally disrupted traditional patterns.

Describing climate change as one of the preeminent drivers of human displacement globally, the President argued that the challenge has evolved beyond environmental concerns to threaten peace, security, and human dignity.

In a statement by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based policymaking and inclusive partnerships to link climate action with sustainable development.

Noting the domestic impact of environmental degradation, the President pointed to the Lake Chad Basin, where the receding waters have decimated fishing and farming livelihoods, forcing thousands to migrate.

He also referenced Nigeria’s 2022 flood disaster, which affected 4.4 million people and displaced 2.4 million across 30 states, creating lasting shocks to food security and social stability.

Under the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” President Tinubu outlined a shift from reactive emergency responses to proactive disaster preparedness and economic empowerment.

The President underscored that climate-induced mobility is a transnational crisis that defies unilateral solutions.

He called for a framework of shared responsibility and sustained solidarity between the Global North and South.

“Climate-induced mobility is a transnational challenge that no government can address alone. With sound policies and adequate investment, it can serve as a legitimate adaptation strategy that preserves human dignity rather than undermining it”, the president stated.