The Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, has urged the federal government and stakeholders in the environment sector to critically examine and reform relevant national policies to address the deepening environmental, climate change, and socio-ecological challenges confronting Nigeria.
Bassey made the call during the 2nd Nigeria Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence (NSAC) held in Abuja, noting that the convergence is focused on reviewing national frameworks as Nigeria’s social and environmental fabric faces increasing pressure.
“The clarion call for action is urgent and critically existential,” Bassey said. “Nigeria understands that the struggle for change is not a sprint but a long-term, systemic overhaul rooted in accountability and justice.”
He decried the continued delay in the universal adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Mother Earth and called for the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute—alongside genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Citing evidence of ecological destruction in Nigeria, Bassey referenced the 2011 UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland and the 2023 Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission Report titled Environmental Genocide.
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He also noted that the Delta State House of Assembly is currently working on legislation to recognise the personhood of the River Ethiope.
“The vision of NSAC is a Nigeria where ecological integrity, social justice, and economic well-being coexist,” he said. “We must birth a Nigeria where the rights of nature are respected, where communities control their resources, and everyone enjoys clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment.”
Key demands of the NSAC Charter include access to water as a human right, recognition of the rights of nature, inclusive policy development, a just energy transition, job transitioning, agroecology, biosafety and biosecurity, banning of GMOs, halting deforestation, and protection of wetlands.
Also speaking at the event, environmental analyst Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo stressed that sustainable use of Nigeria’s natural resources is crucial for national development. He called for proper valuation and integration of the country’s environmental assets into the overall development planning process.
