International Alert, in collaboration with Benue State Government, has trained the lawmakers in the state to enhance their understanding on climate change governance.
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue said this while declaring open a One-Day Training and Sensitisation on Climate Chnage for Members of Benue House of Assembly in Abuja on Monday.
Alia, who was represented by Dr Emmanuel Chenge, Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, called for urgent legislative support to strengthen climate governance and safeguard Benue’s future.
The training, which had “Strengthening Legislative Leadership for Developing Climate-Resilience and Carbon Budgeting in Benue State” as its theme, was organised by International Alert and Benue State Council on Climate Change (BSCCC) with support from Irish Aid.
The governor noted that climate change now posed an existential threat to Benue’s agriculture, environment, security and economy.
According to him, Benue, which is recognised as Nigeria’s Food Basket, is experiencing increasing environmental shocks that endanger its people and economy.
He listed key challenges including recurring floods in Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Katsina-Ala and other riverine LGAs, erratic rainfall leading to reduced crop yields, rising temperatures affecting health and water security, forest degradation and biodiversity loss, worsening pressure on natural resources due to population growth and poverty.
He linked climate change directly to Benue’s long-standing security challenges, especially farmer–herder conflicts.
“The drought in the north and Benue’s fertile lands pushed herders downwards, leading to clashes. Climate change is at the centre of our security crisis.”
Alia emphasised that combating climate change required strong legislative backing and urged lawmakers to strengthen the legal framework by passing and updating the Benue State Climate Change Law.
He also urged them to collaborate with the Climate Change Council to develop a carbon budgeting framework among others.
According to him, the state executive has already begun major climate actions, including establishing the Benue State Council on Climate Change, drafting the Benue State Climate Change Policy and Action Plan among others.
He urged the lawmakers to ensure rigorous oversight of climate-related projects and budgets and promote low-carbon and climate-smart initiatives in their constituencies.
The Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Udo, praised Benue State for establishing Benue State Climate Change Council, describing the council as “a visionary, genius structure”
Udo linked climate change directly to food insecurity and growing conflict across Nigeria.
“The food basket of the nation is no longer producing as before. It is not because the farmers are lazy, they are willing to work.
“The climate has changed. Poor soil quality, unpredictable weather and flooding have reduced yields.”
The country director said the training is essential because Benue’s declining agricultural productivity is worsening hunger and could trigger more conflict.
“When the food basket of the nation can no longer feed the country, hunger will increase, and conflict will rise. That is why this convergence is important,” he said.
He emphasised that the training would deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the Benue State Climate Change Act, its implications for climate governance, and the institutional roles of the Climate Change Council and Secretariat.
Dr Aondofa Mailumo, the Director-General of the Benue State Council on Climate Change, stressed that accessing global funds such as the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund required strong state laws, clear carbon budgeting structures and strict climate reporting obligations.
“Without supportive legislation, climate policies remain aspirations. With strong laws, they become instruments for real transformation,” he said.
The Speaker of Benue House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga, pledged the Assembly’s commitment to passing strong climate laws in collaboration with the Climate Change Council.
Emberga highlighted the dangers of indiscriminate tree felling for charcoal and the need for stringent penalties.
“The Assembly will continue to work with the Executive to introduce bills that strengthen climate protection and carbon budgeting,” he said.
The Benue Deputy Speaker, Lami Ogenyi, drew attention to the gendered impacts of climate change, noting that women, especially widows and single mothers, bear the brunt of floods, displacement and declining farm productivity.
“Women work harder now to get enough crops for their families. Flooding has rendered many homeless and vulnerable.”
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
