Stakeholders in the environmental sector have warned that environmental degradation, poor housing and unsustainable development practices threaten public health, food security and Nigeria’s sustainable development.
They called for stronger environmental policies, responsible management of natural resources and greater collaboration among government, businesses, researchers and communities to protect the environment for future generations.
The stakeholders made the call at the public presentation of a book titled: “People, Nature and Environment: Pathways to Sustainable Development,” authored by an environmentalist and researcher, Dr Abba Maigida.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by Mr Taiwo Ojelabi, said sustainable management of water bodies, forests, vegetation and other natural resources was critical to food production and environmental preservation.
He urged Nigerians to abandon practices that degrade the environment and embrace responsible utilisation of natural resources to safeguard livelihoods and protect future generations.
The chairman of the occasion, retired Major General Alwali Kazir, identified climate change, deforestation, pollution, biodiversity loss and resource depletion as major environmental challenges confronting the country.
He expressed concern over the effects of desertification, shrinking water resources and land degradation in northern Nigeria, warning that environmental degradation could worsen food insecurity, displacement, economic hardship and insecurity.
Kazir called for practical interventions, including land restoration, renewable energy, improved water management, environmental education and stronger environmental governance.
He stressed that sustainable development required collective action by governments, communities, educational institutions, businesses and young people.
The author, Maigida, said the book was inspired by more than two decades of public service during which he travelled across different parts of the country and witnessed the devastating effects of environmental degradation on communities and livelihoods.
He recalled witnessing the destructive impact of gully erosion on homes, roads and farmlands in parts of eastern Nigeria, while desert encroachment threatened agricultural activities and rural livelihoods in the North.
He also highlighted recurring flooding in the Middle Belt, which displaces families and destroys property, as well as the pressure rapid urbanisation in cities such as Abuja and Lagos places on housing, infrastructure and the environment.
According to him, these experiences raised concerns about how Nigeria could pursue economic growth without destroying the natural resources on which livelihoods depend.
Maigida, who said the book took more than seven years to complete, explained that it was based on field observations, research and discussions with farmers, fishermen, traditional rulers, environmental professionals and public servants.
He said the 21-chapter publication examined environmental sustainability, housing, human development, natural resource management, climate change, community development, public policy and institutional responsibility.
The author warned that failure to address environmental challenges could jeopardise the future of coming generations, urging professionals and citizens to take responsibility for protecting the environment.
Citing increasing flooding in Abuja and other parts of the country, he stressed the urgency of adopting measures to restore damaged ecosystems and prevent further environmental destruction.
“Humanity will judge us if we look at what is happening and we keep quiet,” he said, adding that professionals must fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them.
He also urged candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to prioritise environmental protection and the preservation of Nigeria’s natural resources.
“The environment is our heritage and we have no other land than Nigeria. We have to save it for future generations,” he said.
Reviewing the book, Professor Ishaya Sunday of the University of Abuja described it as an interdisciplinary publication that connects environmental protection with human welfare, governance and sustainable development.
Sunday, who disclosed that Maigida was his student at both master’s and doctoral levels, commended his commitment to research and writing.
He said the book’s central argument was that human well-being could not be separated from the condition of the environment, noting that activities harmful to nature ultimately threatened people themselves.
He highlighted the publication’s coverage of biodiversity conservation, water and food security, waste management, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, environmental governance, sustainable cities and green innovation.
The reviewer also identified frameworks developed by the author, including the Maigida Integrated Sustainability Framework and the Maigida Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Framework.
Similarly, the FCT Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti, represented by Dr Andrew Zakari, said climate change, deforestation, rapid urbanisation, inadequate housing and environmental degradation threatened livelihoods, public health and Nigeria’s development prospects.
She said environmental protection required collective responsibility involving government institutions, the private sector, educational and research institutions, communities and individuals.
Sabanti described the book presentation as an opportunity to deepen public understanding of environmental challenges, encourage informed discussions and strengthen commitment to sustainable development.
Also speaking, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, recalled returning to his community and former school years after joining the Nigeria Police Force, only to discover that a once-beautiful stream had almost disappeared due to development and construction activities within its valley.
He urged policymakers to strengthen environmental protection at the grassroots, stressing the need for greater community participation in decisions affecting land, forests and water resources.
In a goodwill message, a representative of the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Dr Adaora Umeoji, said economic progress must be accompanied by environmental responsibility and concern for human welfare.
He said financial institutions could contribute to sustainability through responsible lending, investments in environmentally conscious businesses and infrastructure, and consideration of environmental and social implications in financing decisions.
The Head of Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Baze University also warned that indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources undermined human well-being, identifying deforestation, industrial pollution and destruction of vegetation as practices that expose communities to environmental hazards and disrupt ecosystems.
SOURCE: LEADERSHIP NEWS PAPER