Oxfam and civil society leaders at the Power of Voices project close-out in Abuja.
Oxfam and its civil society partners have called for deeper climate justice interventions in Nigeria as the five-year African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) programme comes to an end.
At the Power Voices project close-out event in Abuja, stakeholders highlighted major gains in community resilience, women’s empowerment, and climate-responsive governance, while urging government to address persistent gaps affecting vulnerable groups.
Oxfam Country Director, John Makina, described Nigerians as “friendly, welcoming and people of integrity,” noting that the country’s rich cultural diversity and food systems offer strong foundations for development.
Makina emphasised Nigeria’s food diversity advantage, noting that unlike many African countries that depend on a single staple, Nigerian households rely on yam, cassava, potatoes, semolina, and a wide range of crops.
He however stressed the need to address regional disparities, particularly insecurity in the North that discourages girls from attending school and limits women’s political participation.
On women’s representation, Makina said: “There must be deliberate policies, including quotas, to ensure more women are elected into legislative positions. Communities must choose leaders who can deliver, not just familiar names.”
Women Farmers Still Struggling With Flood Impact
In a short documentary, representatives from rural communities shared emotional testimonies on how seasonal flooding continues to displace households, destroy farmlands, and push thousands of women into deeper poverty.
A women’s advocate, Rebecca, recounted how many farmers lose homes and livelihoods during floods and receive limited assistance afterward.
“Most support ends at the IDP camps. When the water recedes, nobody cares how we rebuild our homes or restart farming,” she said.
Community groups however, called for policies that prioritise rapid recovery, access to farm inputs, and early-warning systems to protect rural households.
READ ALSO: Oxfam, CISLAC, Celebrate Five Years of Climate Justice, Governance Reforms
CSOs Demand Women’s Inclusion in Agricultural
Activists also warned that women are often used during elections but sidelined in governance.
A representative from Kano State, Koji Angelabai, said state governments must integrate women’s needs into agricultural budgets and ensure that empowerment items reach real farmers rather than political loyalists.
“Women farmers want inputs, tools and climate support, not empty political promises,” she added.
AACJ Project Reached Over 10,000 Nigerians
Speaking at the sideline of the event, Project Lead for Climate Justice, Dr. Kenneth Akpan, explained the AACJ programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, covered nine states and reached over 10,000 people, primarily women and youths.
The Nigeria component received €1.5 million and focused on climate-affected communities suffering from flooding, drought and environmental degradation.
Akpan said communities are now better equipped to understand climate risks, plant trees, diversify income sources, and prepare for extreme weather. “These communities now understand how their actions impact the environment and how to build resilience against recurring floods,” he said.
Communities Now Demand Accountability
A civic-tech organisation BudgIT Foundation who is also, a major implementing partner, reported progress in strengthening host community governance and climate accountability across oil-producing states.
The Team Lead, Enebi Opaluwa, said BudgIT supported community-based organisations, trained over 100 journalists, and helped communities push companies to establish Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs).
He noted that sustainability is improving as communities increasingly demand transparency and representation in local development structures.
“We now see more women and persons with disabilities taking leadership roles in community trust structures. Their voices can no longer be sidelined,” Opaluwa said.
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