Environmental activist, Nnimo Bassey has called attention to the plight of coastal communities in Nigeria, warning that some have lost significant portions of their land to the Atlantic Ocean due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
Advocating for stronger regional solidarity across West Africa, Bassey noted that fragmented efforts will weaken the region’s ability to confront the growing impacts of climate change and influence global climate policy.
He made the call at a gathering of environmental campaigners, civil society organisations and community leaders under the West African Climate Justice Movement, with the theme “Building Solidarity for Climate Justice in West Africa.”
Bassey explained that West Africa is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, citing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, sea level rise, coastal erosion, desertification and forced migration as some of the region’s pressing environmental challenges.
He noted that climate impacts affect vulnerable communities that have contributed the least to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Stressing that collective action is critical to addressing climate-related challenges affecting the region, Bassey, who is also the Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, noted that West Africa remains underrepresented in climate justice issues, making it difficult for the region to build a stronger and more coordinated platform.
“Solidarity is the main ingredient for movement building. Without it, people may share the same pain and aspirations, but they will remain isolated and achieve very little,” he said.
Bassey criticised what he described as “false climate solutions,” including carbon offset projects, geoengineering and carbon trading schemes, arguing that they allow wealthy nations and corporations to continue polluting while shifting the burden to developing countries.
He raised concerns over large-scale land acquisitions for carbon offset projects across parts of West Africa, warning that such initiatives often result in land and forest grabs without benefiting local communities.
He cited examples of forest concession agreements in Nigeria, where vast areas of land have reportedly been allocated to foreign companies for carbon credit projects.
“These projects enable polluters elsewhere to continue emitting greenhouse gases while taking control of forests and community lands in Africa,” he said.
Calling for a stronger climate justice movement in West Africa, Bassey urged campaigners to build alliances across sectors, including labour unions, farmers’ organisations, indigenous communities, hunters’ associations and youth groups.
He also urged governments and international negotiators to focus on immediate emissions reductions by countries historically responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions.
Keynote speaker, Professor Youba Sokona, in his address called for a united West African response grounded in justice, equity, sustainable livelihoods, inclusive development, and integrated approaches to energy, governance, finance, and industrial transformation.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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