President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a major new initiative aimed at transforming the lives of Nigerians displaced by floods and other climate-related disasters.
The program, officially known as the Climate-Resilient Livelihoods Empowerment Program for Displaced Populations (CLEP4DPS), was unveiled on Wednesday at a high-level forum on climate-induced mobility held under Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Rabat Process.
The announcement was made in the President’s opening address at the event, which brought together global leaders, policymakers, and development partners to examine the growing links between climate change, migration, security, and sustainable development.
In a statement issued by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, President Tinubu, represented at the forum by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the program goes beyond temporary humanitarian relief.
According to the statement, CLEP4DPS is designed to restore livelihoods and build long-term resilience for displaced Nigerians, rather than merely responding to emergency needs.
Unlike conventional humanitarian interventions, the initiative adopts a people-centred approach to economic empowerment as a core climate-adaptation strategy, aimed at preserving human dignity and strengthening community resilience.
“The program is built on the premise that economic empowerment is a critical form of climate adaptation,” the statement noted.
Under a 10-year framework with a projected budget of $250 million, the programme will support displaced persons through several strategic pathways, including climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy entrepreneurship, climate data and digital employment opportunities for youth, and the development of green value chains that link sustainable production to markets.
It also includes dedicated leadership tracks for women and young people to promote inclusion and active participation.
President Tinubu said the initiative complements existing efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Global Flood Disaster Management Project, which focuses on early-warning systems, resilient infrastructure, improved disaster coordination, and community engagement nationwide.
He stressed that climate change is a lived reality in Nigeria, citing the 2022 floods that affected more than 4.4 million people and displaced about 2.4 million citizens across over 30 states.
He also highlighted ongoing challenges such as coastal erosion, desertification, and the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, which continue to heighten vulnerability in many communities.
In his closing remarks, the President called for stronger international collaboration, noting that climate-induced displacement is a transnational challenge that no country can address alone.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with international partners, including Switzerland, the European Union, and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, to advance sustainable solutions that link climate action, migration governance, and development.
