President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a major new initiative aimed at transforming the lives of Nigerians displaced by floods and other climate-related disasters.

The programme, officially titled the Climate-Resilient Livelihoods Empowerment Programme for Displaced Populations (CLEP4DPS), was unveiled on 28 January 2026 during a high-level event on climate-induced mobility convened under Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Rabat Process.

The announcement came in the President’s opening address at the forum, which brought together global leaders, policymakers, and development partners to explore the growing intersection between climate change, migration, security and sustainable development.

In a statement issued by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the President (represented at the event by Senator George Akume) emphasized that the programme is designed to go beyond temporary relief.

Rather than simply responding to emergency needs, the initiative aims to restore livelihoods and build long-term resilience for displaced Nigerians.

Unlike conventional humanitarian responses, CLEP4DPS focuses on people-centred economic empowerment as a strategy for climate adaptation, a policy shift that seeks to preserve human dignity and strengthen community resilience. “

The programme is built on the premise that economic empowerment is a critical form of climate adaptation,” the statement said.Under the 10-year framework and $250 million budget, the programme will support displaced persons through several strategic pathways, including:

Climate-smart agriculture to boost food production in changing environmental conditions

Renewable energy entrepreneurship to create green jobs and sustainable income streams

Climate data and digital employment opportunities for youth

Green value chains that integrate sustainable production with markets

Dedicated women and youth leadership tracks to amplify inclusion and participation

These components are designed to help displaced households not only recover but thrive amid climate pressures.

President Tinubu explained that the new intervention complements ongoing efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Global Flood Disaster Management Project. This project focuses on early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, improved disaster coordination, and community engagement across Nigeria.

The President also noted that climate change is not a theoretical threat in Nigeria, it is a lived reality. He referenced the devastating 2022 floods, which affected more than 4.4 million people and displaced around 2.4 million citizens in over 30 states. Additionally, environmental challenges such as coastal erosion, desertification, and degradation of the Lake Chad Basin continue to intensify pressures on vulnerable communities.

In closing, President Tinubu called for stronger international cooperation, stressing that climate-induced displacement is a transnational challenge no nation can tackle alone.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with partners such as Switzerland, the European Union, and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development to develop sustainable solutions linking climate action, migration governance and development.