An initiative supported by PaRD members International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID and the World Council of Churches (WCC) has empowered religious leaders in Nigeria to address the interconnected challenges of food insecurity, climate change, and conflict.
In 2022, within Nigeria’s interreligious landscape, the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) spearheaded an initiative alongside KAICIID, the WCC, the International Centre for Interfaith Peace and Harmony (ICIPH), and the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN). It focused on bridging food security and climate resilience with conflict prevention efforts, particularly in communities experiencing climate-driven displacement and conflict. The project was implemented in Makurdi, Benue State, and Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, regions that have witnessed complex, often violent tensions due to intertwined social, economic, and religious factors. These challenges have led to displacement, loss of livelihoods, and mistrust among communities. To address these issues, the implementors have collaborated on initiatives to strengthen the role of religious leaders in promoting climate adaptation and food security.
Empowering Religious Leaders to Address Food Security and Conflict
The project’s primary goal was to raise awareness of how climate change, food insecurity, and conflict intersect in Nigeria, where political and social instability often aggravates religious tensions. Sixty members of the IDFP-supported Interfaith Dialogue Units (IDUs), including religious leaders, policymakers, and security professionals, received training on these pressing issues. The IDUs serve as vital platforms in conflict-prone areas, fostering collaboration to address community-specific development challenges and promoting peaceful co-existence.
Workshops were held for religious leaders and policymakers on climate and food security. Moreover, a documentary, highlighting the impact of climate change on local communities and the role of religious leaders in mitigating these effects to inform policy discussions (Click here to watch the video on IDFP’s facebook page).
Outcomes and Insights from Interfaith Collaboration
The project has shown the significant potential for religious leaders to contribute to addressing food security and climate challenges. In areas where trust in government has declined, local communities continue to rely on religious and traditional leaders for guidance, making their involvement in conflict prevention and climate resilience initiatives both relevant and effective.
The workshops revealed that more than half of the 60 religious leaders and policymakers involved in the project had gained a strong understanding of the risks associated with climate change, food insecurity, and conflict. Many expressed a desire to play a role in advocating for climate change mitigation and supporting dialogue and mediation efforts in their communities.
In addition, the project highlighted the importance of interfaith collaboration, bringing together religious leaders, policymakers, and local communities to discuss food security and climate change. The production of a documentary documenting the impacts of food insecurity and climate change in Benue and Rivers States further amplified the challenges and underscored the contributions of religious leaders in addressing these issues.
Paving the Way Forward for Faith-Based Climate Action
By bringing religious and community leaders together with policymakers, this programme has showcased the pivotal role of interfaith dialogue in addressing Nigeria’s food security and climate resilience needs. It aligns with global priorities, supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as well as the African Union’s theme of strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with climate change and its impacts, the contributions of faith-based organisations and religious leaders, empowered through initiatives like this one, remain crucial for building resilient, peaceful communities. The insights gathered from this programme will continue to contribute to ongoing policy development, with recommendations including improved agricultural technologies, strategic settlement planning, and enhanced interfaith collaboration on climate awareness campaigns.
The project was made possible with the support of the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD).