Philip Nyam 
Nigeria has called for the payment of taxes by multinationals and billionaires globally to support African countries exposed to the effects of the climate change.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu and leader of the Nigerian delegation to the ongoing special sitting of the Committees of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) in South Africa on Tuesday presented the country’s position.
Kalu, who bemoaned the recent flooding in Borno, Zamfara states amongst others said that the idea of the climate tax is to help mitigate the impacts of climate change on the continent.
He said: “Africa is disproportionately impacted by climate change despite contributing just 3.8% to the global share of greenhouse gas emissions in contrast to 23% by China, 19% by the US, and 13% by the European Union (EU).
“Climate change undermines Africa’s progress towards sustainable development goals, hindering economic growth and human well-being.
“At present, nearly 600 million Africans lack access to electricity according to the World Bank, which hinders economic growth, industrial development, and access to essential services.
“Furthermore, Africa faces a widening energy gap compared to South Asia and Latin America, which have made more significant progress in bridging their energy deficits.
“Simultaneously, Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo has proposed a global climate tax to support climate adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable regions, such as Africa.
“Duflo’s proposal includes a tax on multinational corporations and billionaires to fund climate adaptation in low-income countries, helping them prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate disasters.
“This need for climate resilience was brought into stark focus between August and September 2024, when heavy rains affected many local government areas (LGAs) in Borno State, Nigeria, resulting in significant flooding.
“These floods devastated various communities, displacing many households and damaging infrastructure, crops, and shelters.
“On September 9, 2024, Maiduguri was hit by a massive flood caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam in the neighboring Konduga LGA, marking the first time the dam had overflowed since 2012.
“The resulting damage from these floods underscores the growing challenge posed by climate variability and human-induced factors, which have increasingly displaced populations across Nigeria.
“In Borno state alone, the International Organisation for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) identified 320,791 individuals in 65,731 households affected by the floods across 19 LGAs.
“These include 157,274 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 108 returnees, all severely impacted by the floods”
While identifying some pressing issues facing the African continent, the Deputy Speaker also emphasized the pivotal role of education as the foundation for Africa’s future.
He underscored the critical role education plays in shaping the continent’s future, aligning it with the African Union’s goals under Agenda 2063.
This, he said, includes addressing gender disparities, supporting rural schools, and increasing funding for teachers and infrastructure.
“We cannot speak of a prosperous Africa when our education systems are failing to prepare our youth for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow,” Kalu remarked, calling for unified education policies across Africa”
