Group Launches Climate‑Peace Project In Benue

A non-governmental organisation, International Alert, has initiated the sensitisation of communities in Benue State on the dangers and negative impacts of climate change through the introduction of agro-friendly practices aimed at reducing conflict.

The senior project officer at International Alert Nigeria, Kengkeng Ati, revealed this at the inauguration of the Benue State Project Steering Committee on Climate Action and Peacebuilding, which is responsible for providing oversight, recommendations, and strategic direction to ensure effective delivery.

According to him, the organisation, in collaboration with local partners and the state government, is working hard to address conflicts created by climate stress, especially in communities with low rainfall, dry water beds and similar challenges to mitigate the impact of climate change on citizens.

Ati said the committee will also examine the issues of climate-induced conflicts and promote peace through community dialogue.

He said, “We are not simply urging communities to cease hostilities; we are investing in climate‑smart solutions that offer livelihood options and alleviate tensions for community members.”

Highlighting the climate challenges faced by Benue State, the project officer mentioned reduced rainfall, drying water sources, declining soil fertility and abnormal weather patterns. He stressed the need to address them to prevent further disputes over land and resources.

He informed that some of the measures put in place by International Alert to mitigate climate change conflict include climate hubs, drilling of boreholes, and construction of fish ponds, among many other strategies that will help build peace.

Ati said: “We are implementing this project in collaboration with the Benue State Council on Climate Change. We are also empowering local communities to ensure the sustainability of the climate hubs beyond the project’s one-year duration.”

In a presentation titled “Powering Peace Through Climate Action Project Phase II,” Ati shared insights from the first phase, confirming it had successfully united communities and resolved resource-related conflicts through climate‑conflict analysis.

He said the project, targeting communities in Makurdi, Agatu, and Gwer‑West LGAs, will focus on sustaining conflict sensitivity and climate adaptation efforts across diverse stakeholders.

The chairman of the Steering Committee, who is also the director‑general of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office in Benue State, Sir John Akuse, pledged unwavering dedication and commitment to support the project team.

Earlier, the director‑general of the Benue State Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Josephine Haba, alongside representatives of other organisations, also promised support and affirmed their commitment to achieving the goals set by the Project Steering Committee.