FG reiterates commitment  to climate action, urges global support 

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to addressing climate change and enhancing climate action for sustainable development. 

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed this during the courtesy visit of the United Nations Executive Secretary on Climate Change, Mr Simon Stiell, to the ministry on Wednesday.

Bagudu thanked the UNFCCC and other development partners for their support. He highlighted Nigeria’s proactive approach to combating climate change, specifically emphasizing the government’s ambitious plans and successful implementation of the 2021-2025 climate policy. 

According to the minister, despite significant progress made, challenges remain, particularly in areas such as oil remediation in the Niger Delta and water scarcity exacerbated by climate impacts. ​

 He said, “We are doing everything possible to enhance the potential capabilities of climate action. 

Yet, we need more collaborative support, particularly in securing funding opportunities for sustainable climate projects​.”​ Nigeria’s climate goals include fostering a just transition, particularly for sectors like agriculture, livestock, and energy, which are critically affected by climate change. 

The government focuses on modernizing industries, creating climate-resilient policies, and encouraging private sector investment to ensure sustainable development. Bagudu called on the UN system to recognize the need for innovative financing mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of leveraging private sector capital to achieve long-term climate goals. 

He said Nigeria remained committed to tackling climate-induced challenges while ensuring solutions benefit local communities and the environment. He added that, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria would continue to invest in efforts such as transforming the livestock sector and hydrocarbon remediation projects to reverse the harmful effects of climate change. 

The minister stated that Nigeria recognised the urgency of climate action, which could not be overstated, explaining that as climate impacts intensified, the government was determined to push for more vigorous international collaborations to deliver results and ensure that climate change did not exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. 

The Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Mr Simon Steill, commended Nigeria’s leadership role in the global climate process and underscored the country’s contribution to the worldwide response to the climate crisis. He promised the UN’s unalloyed support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in tackling climate change. 

Steill said, “We are here to support you.” The UNFCCC and the broader UN system are committed to assisting Nigeria as it develops a credible climate plan that scales up finance and addresses both the climate crisis and economic growth. Your commitment to developing the next generation of climate plans, particularly the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), is crucial in shaping the global climate agenda. 

He highlighted the significance of the NDC, which will serve as a climate action document and an investment and economic development plan. He emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s whole-of-government approach to crafting a comprehensive and actionable plan, emphasising the integration of climate considerations into the national economic development strategy. 

The upcoming NDC is set to distinguish itself as a forward-looking investment plan, focusing on sectors such as energy transition, agriculture, water security, and technology in addressing climate change. Steill encouraged Nigeria to continue exploring the opportunities presented by climate action, including attracting private sector investment to support sustainable development. 

The meeting’s objective was to discuss opportunities for a strong climate plan with the involvement of stakeholders such as government officials, Civil Society, and the private sector.