Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has squarely blamed human greed, selfishness, and reckless environmental exploitation for the escalating climate crisis, insisting that global warming is not an act of nature but the direct consequence of humanity's carelessness and excessive consumption. The former leader made the remarks on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Kano during an event organised to honour former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud, and his Environment and Sustainability Initiative and Trust Fund.
Obasanjo, who has increasingly used his platform to speak on environmental issues, described climate change as no longer a distant threat but a present reality driven predominantly by human activities. He urged individuals, governments, and organisations to take deliberate and immediate action to protect the environment. "God created our world in balance, but we, as human beings, out of selfishness and carelessness, have done more harm than good to our environment, and we need to do more in the safekeeping of our environment," the former president declared.
The former president's remarks were delivered in a setting that underscored the urgency of the crisis. Mahmoud's initiative, which Obasanjo was endorsing, seeks to promote environmental sustainability and preserve the ecosystem for both present and future generations. Mahmoud himself noted that what began as a small project had grown into a formidable conservation programme that now protects surrounding communities and preserves hundreds of plant species. Obasanjo used the occasion to reinforce that environmental protection is not optional but a collective responsibility and a global public good.
In a striking disclosure that underscored his personal commitment to the cause, Obasanjo revealed that he has personally planted more than 3.5 million trees as part of his efforts to combat climate change. He stressed that protecting the environment requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders and cannot be left to governments alone. The former president's tree-planting record is a testament to a lifelong advocacy that has seen him champion reforestation and sustainable land use across various platforms.
The Kano State Government, which hosted the event, welcomed Obasanjo's remarks and pledged concrete support for Mahmoud's environmental trust. The state's Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dahiru Hashim, described the initiative as a significant step towards environmental protection and sustainable development. In a tangible demonstration of support, Hashim announced that the Kano State Government had approved the donation of 10,000 seedlings to the Mahmoud Environmental and Sustainable Trust to strengthen afforestation efforts and ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
The event attracted a high-profile audience, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress; Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; and several senior Kano State Government officials. Participants at the gathering called for stronger collaboration among governments, private organisations, and citizens to tackle climate change, curb environmental degradation, and promote sustainable development.
Obasanjo's speech also carried a philosophical undertone, reflecting on the divine order of creation. He argued that God created the world in harmony, but human actions motivated by selfishness have resulted in significant environmental damage. "It is our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for future generations," he said, framing the fight against climate change as both a moral and existential imperative.
The former president's remarks come at a time when Nigeria, like much of the world, is grappling with the devastating impacts of climate change, including desertification, flooding, and food insecurity. His call for collective action resonates with a growing consensus that environmental degradation is a global crisis requiring urgent and coordinated responses. By linking global warming to human greed and carelessness, Obasanjo has added a moral dimension to the climate debate, challenging individuals and institutions to examine their own roles in the crisis.
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