Vice President Kashim Shettima has raised the alarm over the deepening link between poverty, climate change, and rising insecurity in Nigeria, urging for stronger international collaboration to address the crisis.
Shettima made the call on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the Vice President, the convergence of poverty, illiteracy, and environmental degradation is at the heart of widespread displacement and escalating violence across the country, particularly in the North-East, North-Central, and North-West regions.
“There is an incestuous relationship between ecology and economy in sub-Saharan Africa,” Shettima said.
“You cannot divorce the challenges of migration from climate-induced effects. Even the crises in several regions are deeply rooted in poverty and environmental decline.”
He stressed that sustainable solutions must be pragmatic, inclusive, and targeted at tackling the socio-economic drivers of conflict.
While commending the IOM for its support in Borno and other conflict-affected states, Shettima urged the organization to expand its intervention footprint, particularly in the North-Central region, to foster “a win-win, workable solution that brings unity and progress.”
Citing the need for a united front, the Vice President echoed the words of Martin Luther King Jr., saying, “We must either learn to live together as brothers or die together as fools.”
He further called for intensified efforts in gender empowerment, youth engagement, and land reclamation, adding that these areas are critical to stabilizing affected communities and reversing the trend of forced migration.
In her remarks, Sharon Dimanche praised Nigeria’s proactive steps in disaster preparedness and migration governance.
She described the country as a microcosm of the African continent in terms of diversity and complexity, citing the recent launch of the State Action Plan on Floods and the Framework for Anticipatory Action as laudable efforts.
“Every state in Nigeria is unique, and that requires tailored interventions. What we’ve seen so far is remarkable,” Dimanche said, reaffirming the IOM’s commitment to supporting the government’s long-term solutions to migration, climate resilience, and economic recovery.
She also sought closer collaboration with the Vice President’s office to mobilize resources for targeted initiatives addressing displacement, youth empowerment, and ecological restoration.
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