Climate-Induced Displacement and Children’s Rights in Nigeria: A Legal and Human Rights Analysis

Climate change drives internal displacement in Nigeria, severely impacting children’s rights. This article examines the legal and human rights challenges faced by displaced children, critically evaluating Nigeria’s response through international, regional and domestic legal frameworks. It analyses key instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), and Nigerian laws such as the Child Rights Act (CRA) and Climate Change Act 2021 (CCA). The study identifies substantial enforcement and accountability gaps that undermine protections for these vulnerable children. Grounded in intergenerational equity, the best interests of the child, and a domestic (intra-Nigerian) conception of climate justice, the analysis advocates a rights-based, child-centered approach. The article concludes with specific policy and legal recommendations to strengthen safeguards for children affected by climate-induced displacement, emphasising the urgent need to protect future generations.