Buhari Asks World Leaders To Save Lake Chad

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has called on world leaders to forge a united front to save Lake Chad’s ecosystem from further depletion caused by the adverse effects of climate change.

The Nigerian President made the request at the Leaders Event of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP 21, in Paris.

President Buhari said climate change had continued to pose a threat to Nigeria’s security and development.

He said: “At the sub-regional level, we are saddled with the challenge of the drying up of the Lake Chad Basin, which is resulting in the total wipe out of livelihoods of many communities surrounding this trans-boundary natural resource.

“Regrettably, the world is leaving behind millions of people who depend on the Lake for their survival.


“The Government of Nigeria welcomes the Lake Chad Development and Climate Resilience Plan, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission and international partners for designing this climate-based Plan”.

“In all, the experience of countries sharing the Lake Chad further illustrates the mutual challenge we face today and which must be collectively addressed without further delay”.

On Nigeria’s position on the climate change negotiations, President Buhari said any meaningful and potential agreement on climate change in Paris, “must draw extensively on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities”.