ActionAid Nigeria Urges Action on Climate and Debt Crises

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has expressed alarm regarding the dual crises of climate change and Nigeria's debt burden, particularly affecting women, girls, children, and other vulnerable groups. This call for urgent government action was made in Abuja in collaboration with the Euphrates Climate Foundation and other partners under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada.

The concerns were prompted by the release of ActionAid’s report, “Debt Fuels the Climate Crisis: How the Finance Flows,” which reveals that climate-vulnerable countries are spending nearly 25 times more on debt repayments than on climate action. In Nigeria, it is projected that debt repayments will consume over half of government revenue in 2026, despite the country being Africa's largest fossil fuel producer.

ActionAid highlighted the disproportionate impact of these crises on women and girls, who face increased hardships, including longer distances for water and a higher risk of school dropout due to economic pressures.