On September 20th, 2025, people were gathered clutching placards, women, farmers wearing the resilience of their communities on their faces, youth groups, civil society organizers, persons with disabilities, and journalists. They had not come to just participate in a march, they had come to draw a line.
In solidarity with global climate movements mobilizing across continents, GIFSEP, in collaboration with Oxfam, led Abuja’s contribution to the worldwide #DrawTheLine Day of Climate Action. But this wasn’t simply a march; it was a declaration from Nigerians who have lived the realities of environmental degradation, food insecurity, and slow-moving policy responses. It was a collective insistence that climate justice must move from just table-talk to real change.
It was more than a gathering; it was a unified public demand for justice. Students, farmers, women, youth groups, civil society actors, persons with disabilities, and members of the media walked side-by-side, carrying placards that echoed urgent appeals: “Fund Our Future, Not the Crisis,” “Cancel the Debt,” “Support People and Community-led Solutions,” and “Finance the Transition to Resilient, Sustainable, and Equitable Economies.” These messages reflected a shared desire for a future where development is sustainable, equity is central, and decisions are led by the people most affected. At the heart of the march was a clear vision: to amplify Nigeria’s voice for climate justice, push for policy and legislative action, especially the passage of the ESHIA Bill and demand the inclusion of youth and women in decision-making spaces where their lived experiences can shape solutions.
During the press briefing at the rally point, the Executive Director of GIFSEP, Dr. Michael David, spoke with the firmness of someone who has spent years witnessing the consequences of policy inaction. He called for an end to public financing of destructive industries and demanded stronger commitments to adaptation funding, debt relief for vulnerable countries, and the protection of indigenous peoples and frontline communities.
Representing Oxfam in Nigeria, Dr. Kenneth Akpan underscored the need to connect national struggles with global advocacy reminding the crowd that Nigeria’s fight is inseparable from Africa’s and the world’s. He urged policymakers across all states to adopt climate policies that reflect today’s realities, not yesterday’s assumptions.
Youth leaders seized the microphone with the urgency of a generation that understands the stakes. They demanded meaningful inclusion in climate governance and greater investment in youth-led climate solutions. Women farmers shared stories of shifting seasons, unpredictable pests, and shrinking harvests, calling out the widening gap between policies on paper and the support they receive on the ground.
By the time the march concluded, the voices that filled the streets of Abuja had become part of a global chorus demanding justice, accountability, and bold climate action. What began as a gathering of diverse groups became a united front carrying one message: the future is not negotiable, and Nigeria is ready to draw the line.