According to Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed, Commandant of the National Defense College, climate change is a developing strategic threat to national security that calls for specific military readiness. Ahmed made the request on Monday in Abuja while announcing the opening of a roundtable on the military's response to energy security issues brought on by climate change.
He emphasized that climate change now posed significant challenges to human security and national stability, going beyond environmental and developmental considerations.
In order to combat climate-related instability in Nigeria, he advocated for increased military readiness and multi-stakeholder cooperation.
He declared, "Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue but a strategic and security concern with far-reaching implications for our national stability."
Additionally, he urged attendees to actively submit ideas that would assist in formulating practical plans to protect the country from issues brought on by climate change.
The Provost of the Center for Strategic Research and Studies at NDC, Prof. Adam Ahmed, stated in a goodwill letter that it is now impossible to talk about political stability, economic progress, or governance without taking climate change into account.
Ahmed pointed out that a number of international conflicts and crises, such as rivalry for limited resources and environmental stress, are becoming more closely associated with climate-related concerns.
"Security dynamics are being shaped globally by climate realities, and when these pressures intensify, the military is frequently called upon to respond," he stated.
Ahmed emphasized that in order to effectively address climate-induced security concerns, the armed services must expand their knowledge of climate dynamics and create suitable response systems.
He urged attendees to use the event to create workable and long-lasting solutions to the changing problem and thanked partners and stakeholders for their ongoing support.
Together with the Sustainable Development Training Center, the NDC's Center for Strategic Research and Studies organized the roundtable.
The purpose of the event was to increase knowledge of the relationship between climate change and security and to produce useful suggestions for security and defense organizations.
In order to mitigate climate-driven insecurity in Nigeria, it aims to involve senior military officers, policymakers, academics, development partners, and climate-security practitioners in strategic discourse.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, officials from the Ministry of Defense, and other pertinent MDAs, security specialists, scholars, and researchers were among the participants.