Poverty, Climate Change Driving Insecurity — VP Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for enhanced partnership to address the humanitarian challenges facing crisis-affected regions across the country.

This is just as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has commended Nigeria’s significant strides in migration governance and disaster preparedness.

Shettima said there was an urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the interconnected problems of climate change and migration across Nigeria, as they are directly linked to the economic well-being of the population.

Speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the IOM led by its Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Vice President, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, called for practical and inclusive solutions to the complex intersection of migration, poverty, conflict, and ecological disruption.

“I have worked with the IOM for a long time, from my days as Governor in Borno State, and I must commend your remarkable interventions in supporting our people. But much more pragmatic and all-inclusive solutions are needed.

“I urge you to support us in the North Central, so we can have a win-win, workable solution that fosters unity and brings progress to our people,” VP Shettima said.

He decried poverty, illiteracy, and environmental degradation fuelling displacement and insecurity across several regions, saying, “There is an incestuous relationship between ecology and economy in sub-Saharan Africa.

“You cannot divorce the challenges of migration from climate-induced effects. Even the crises in the North-East, North-West and North-Central have direct links between poverty and violence,” he added.

Quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Shettima added: “We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools. We are essentially one people with a common destiny, united by our common challenges. We have no business fighting each other. We should fight poverty, illiteracy, and gender disempowerment.”

He also urged the IOM to scale up support for gender empowerment and land reclamation efforts, particularly in areas affected by deforestation and displacement.

In her remarks, IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Sharon Dimanche, praised Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in migration governance and disaster preparedness, noting that the diversity of the country presents both challenges and opportunities for tailored interventions.

“Since I came to Nigeria, what I have seen is remarkable. Every state is different. It’s like one Africa wrapped into one country. We are particularly impressed with the launch of the State Action Plan on Floods and the Framework for Anticipatory Action for Nigeria,” Dimanche said.

She reaffirmed the IOM’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s durable solutions agenda, including through data provision, shelter support, climate resilience initiatives, and youth empowerment.

“As I take over office, we seek the government’s guidance on areas to focus. One of our key priorities is working to provide sustainable solutions and opportunities for people affected by crisis.

“I will like to request for a special initiative where we can co-work with your office and mobilise resources for more durable solutions to immigration, youth empowerment and climate resilience,” she stated.