Subnational climate initiatives in Nigeria
Nigeria Climate Change Forum 2025 highlights
SPP and ACF collaboration on climate action
The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in partnership with the Africa Climate Foundation (ACF), is convening a High-Level Panel during the Nigeria Climate Change Forum in Abuja. This initiative underscores SPP’s dedication to elevating subnational actors in Nigeria and Africa’s climate change efforts. The Nigeria Climate Change Forum, organized by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, aims to drive transformative actions addressing climate challenges across the nation and continent. It gathers ministries, government authorities, industry leaders, development partners, and climate activists to share insights and explore collaborative avenues for national development.
Leading the SPP team, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke has been instrumental in promoting climate action at subnational levels. In November 2023, SPP released a pioneering report titled “Climate Impacts, Policies, and Actions at the Subnational Level in Nigeria,” in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). Building on this momentum, SPP, alongside the Department of Climate Change, introduced the inaugural “Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking of Nigeria’s 36 States” in 2024. This report evaluated states across five thematic areas: Climate Institutions and Governance, Climate Policy and Action Plan, Climate Project Implementation, Climate Budget and Finance, and Online Visibility. Lagos, Gombe, and Ebonyi emerged as the top performers, with Borno and Ekiti states jointly holding the fourth position.
The upcoming High-Level Panel will feature:- Professor Sam C. Ugwu, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Enugu State- Ms. Aishat Barde, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Taraba State- Yakubu Kolo, Commissioner for Environment, Niger State- Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ekiti State- Dr. Mrs. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department for Climate Change, Federal Ministry of EnvironmentModerated by Professor Okereke, the session titled “Subnational (State-Level) Climate Interventions in Nigeria” will allow commissioners to showcase their state’s climate initiatives and engage with stakeholders to attract climate investments. Notable attendees at the forum include Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Environment Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and Budget and Economic Planning Minister Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
The event aims to inspire collaboration among government entities, the private sector, and international organizations to drive sustainable development and achieve net-zero emissions in Africa. The Nigeria Climate Change Forum is scheduled for January 28-29, 2025, at the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotel, with the SPP High-Level Panel taking place on January 29.
