ABUJA/Nigeria: Commissioners of Environment from Nigeria’s South-West, South-East, and North-Central geo-political zones have called for greater political commitment and increased funding to enhance climate action at the subnational level.
The call was made during a high-level panel session on subnational climate action, organized by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in collaboration with the African Climate Foundation (ACF). The session was part of the Nigeria Climate Change Forum, held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on January 29, 2024.
Moderated by Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President of SPP, the panel featured key environmental policymakers, including Prof. Sam Ugwu, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Enugu State; Chief Mrs. Tosin Aluko, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ekiti State; Hon. Yakubu Kolo, Commissioner for Environment, Niger State; Hon. Aishat Barde, Commissioner for Environment and Climate, Taraba State; and Mrs. Edidiong Eyo, representing the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The commissioners highlighted their states’ achievements in climate governance, as well as the challenges hindering effective implementation.
State-Led Climate Initiatives
Prof. Ugwu showcased Enugu State’s efforts, including the establishment of a standalone Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the adoption of a pioneering climate change policy, and the appointment of climate expert Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke as Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change Policy and Sustainable Development.
In Taraba State, Hon. Barde detailed ongoing initiatives such as restructuring the Ministry of Environment to integrate climate governance, banning illegal mining, allocating 5% of the 2025 state budget to climate action, and launching the Greening Taraba Initiative, which aims to plant two million trees to combat deforestation and desertification.
Ekiti State, according to Hon. Aluko-Ajisafe, has emerged as a leader in climate governance, ranking among the top states in the Subnational Governance Performance report. She credited the state’s success to strong partnerships with local and international NGOs.
Hon. Kolo of Niger State emphasized the climate vulnerabilities faced by the agricultural hub, noting that the state has developed a policy blueprint from the Niger State Green Economy Summit and established a dedicated agency to oversee climate adaptation efforts.
Challenges and the Call for Political Commitment
While acknowledging progress, the commissioners identified major barriers to effective climate action, including inadequate financing, limited public awareness, and insufficient political will from elected officials.
Mrs. Eyo, representing the Federal Ministry of Environment, stressed the importance of peer-to-peer learning among states to accelerate the adoption of best practices in climate governance.
The Nigeria Climate Change Forum, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, convened key stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations to drive transformative climate action across Nigeria.
A recent subnational ranking conducted by SPP in July 2024 placed Lagos State as the top-performing state in climate governance, followed by Gombe, Ebonyi, and Borno/Ekiti (joint fourth).
The commissioners’ collective call for increased political commitment and funding underscores the urgent need for state governments to take decisive action in addressing climate challenges and promoting sustainable development.
