ActionAid calls for climate justice, social equity

The organisation said the reforms are needed due to rising living costs, underfunded public services, and worsening food insecurity driving more people into poverty.

The Country Director of AAN, Andrew Mamedu, made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Social Justice Day is observed annually on Feb. 20, with the 2025 theme 2025 “Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future”.

Mamedu emphasised the need to address deepening inequalities driven by economic mismanagement, poor public service provision, and the escalating climate crisis.

He said that economic growth must translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.

“AAN demands urgent action to ensure that social and economic policies prioritise climate justice and inclusive development.

“Government must increase investments in climate-resilient, gender-responsive public services to build systems that can withstand climate shocks while remaining accessible to all Nigerians.

“Fiscal policies must be designed to reduce inequality, support small businesses, and cushion vulnerable populations against economic shocks.

“Urgent action is needed to ensure an inclusive just transition towards 100 per cent renewable energy, guided by principles of equity, participation, and systemic transformation.

“A just transition must leave no one behind. Nigeria cannot afford another year of policies that widen inequality and deepen climate vulnerability. Decisive action is overdue. The time for justice is now,” he added.

Mamedu, who noted that the government had recently ‘celebrated’ the rebasing of the economy, emphasised that the average citizen questioned how this would translate into tangible improvements in their daily lives.

“The reality on the ground paints a grim picture, soaring inflation at 34.6 per cent as of December 2024, a weakened naira averaging ₦1,600 per dollar, and sluggish Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 2.9 per cent.

“Also, a staggering public debt exceeding 50 billion dollars, accounting for over 40 per cent of GDP”.

He decried the fact that, in spite increasing public expenditures, essential services remain underfunded, infrastructure continues to deteriorate, and over 133 million Nigerians are trapped in multidimensional poverty.

According to him, these economic challenges not only deepen inequality but also jeopardise the future of young people and generations to come.

He emphasized that without deliberate investment in climate-resilient public services and improved socio-economic policies, economic growth would remain a mere statistic, disconnected from citizens’ daily struggles.

“Climate change is exacerbating existing inequalities, citing that smallholder farmers, who produce 70 per cent of Nigeria’s food, are facing unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods that destroy farmlands.

“Yet, support for climate-resilient agriculture remains minimal. The decline in food production has led to soaring prices, putting healthy and sufficient food out of reach for many families,” he said.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi