For Future Nigeria (FFFN), a climate activist NGO has joined a global fight demanding insurance companies around the world and in Nigeria ensure fossil fuel projects, such as to stop immediately and start taking action on climate.
The actions will take place in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Delta State from February 26 to March 3, 2024.
All FFF Nigeria local activists and community members, as well as university students, are protesting around the major cities in Nigeria today, demanding that these insurance companies take immediate actions to slow the climate crisis and support the urgent transition from dangerous fossil fuels to clean energy.
This FFF Nigeria IOF Climate protest is part of a global week of actions organised by the Insure Our Future network, running from February 26 to March 33.
Grassroots groups and activists from across the world are coming together to demand action, with events taking place in the UK, USA, Japan, South Korea, Uganda, DRC, Nigeria, Switzerland, France, Peru, Colombia, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Demands to the industry include immediately stopping insuring new fossil fuel projects, phasing out support for existing coal, oil, and gas projects, respecting human rights, and supporting a just transition.
A statement by the National Coordinator and Country Representative of FFFN, Kingsley Odogwu, said 2023 was the hottest year since records began, and extreme and violent weather events are increasing across every continent.
“Burning fossil fuels is the number one cause of the climate crisis, and fossil fuel projects—coal, gas, and oil—cannot operate without insurance. This puts the insurance industry in a uniquely powerful position to have an impact on the future of our world.
“The environmental devastation caused by these fossil fuel industries in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where Indigenous people can no longer farm on their farmlands, is enough reason for these insurance companies in Nigeria to stop insuring new fossil fuel projects in the country and support a just transition to renewable energy.
“As we continue our ongoing Fossil-Free Campaigns across the country, the Nigerian Government is hereby advised to keep all its promises on the global climate justice struggles before the International Community and also create a conducive atmosphere for climate justice activists across Nigeria to peacefully continue their climate advocacy campaigns without any form of intimidation or harassment from the law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.