Two of the UK’s leading conservation organisations, The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB, have issued a sharp statement to the Labour government, accusing it of backtracking on its environmental promises.
Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts
Earlier this year, the government outlined its commitment to the implementation of UN COP15 biodiversity framework by publishing its National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP), showing how it intends to deliver 30by30 – protecting 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030.
The latest criticism from charities centres on Part 3 of the recent Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which they say would allow developers to damage protected natural sites in exchange for contributing to a central nature fund, a move they describe as a “licence to destroy.”
The organisations argue the proposed legislation weakens longstanding safeguards for nature, particularly those designed to protect irreplaceable habitats like ancient woodlands, chalk streams, and important wildlife sites such as the Peak District Moors. They claim that, despite repeated warnings from experts and conservationists, ministers have refused to strengthen the bill or consult meaningfully on its impacts.
New research released alongside their joint statement undermines claims that environmental protections are stalling development. An analysis of over 17,000 planning appeals in 2024 found that wildlife concerns, often blamed by sensationalist media and ministers for delays, played a role in less than 3% of cases. The evidence dismantles the government’s narrative that species like bats and great crested newts are a barrier to growth.
The backlash has intensified following the rejection of proposed amendments by NGOs and MPs to better protect vulnerable habitats. The Wildlife Trusts have joined forces with the RSPB to call for the Nature Recovery part 3 of the Bill to be removed.
In a strongly worded response, Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, accused Labour of breaking its election pledge to restore nature.
“The so-called Nature Recovery part of the Bill is a Trojan horse – it’s a misnomer because, in reality, it is a licence to destroy. It replaces vital nature protections with a weaker substitute, and has been described by the Government’s own nature watchdog as ‘environmentally regressive’ because it puts irreplaceable habitats and threatened species at risk,” Bennett said.
Beccy Speight, RSPB Chief Executive, said:“Despite engaging in good faith with the UK Government for many months, it’s now clear that the Bill in its current form will rip the heart out of environmental protections and risks sending nature further into freefall.”
On the 2025 World Football Day, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has announced William Troost-Ekong, captain of Nigeria’s national football team and professional player for the Saudi Pro League Al-Kholood FC, as the latest Sport4Land Champion. He joins a growing movement of high-profile athletes committed to using the power of sport to raise awareness and take action against desertification, land degradation and drought.
William Troost-Ekong
Troost-Ekong becomes the fifth Sport4Land Champion, joining Moroccan judo champion Asmaa Niang, Togo’s Olympic hurdle jumper Naomi Akakpo, Dutch Paralympian and wheelchair basketball champion Jitske Visser, and Ivorian national football team captain Franck Kessié – a diverse group of sports leaders advocating for healthy land that sustains us all. Together, they form a united front for land restoration, climate resilience and sustainable development.
As a Sport4Land Champion, Troost-Ekong will use his influence to promote land restoration initiatives across Africa and around the world. Through community outreach, youth engagement and high-visibility initiatives, he aims to inspire urgent action to restore degraded land and protect the livelihoods of millions who depend on it.
“Every second, the world loses the equivalent of four football fields of healthy land,” said Troost-Ekong.
I want to use my platform to build awareness of the impact desertification is having in Africa – and the solutions to reverse it. I’m especially motivated to strengthen collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Africa, including my home country Nigeria. My goal is to empower communities with the tools and knowledge they need to restore their land and secure a better future. It’s time for a new generation of leaders to step forward and build a legacy of change.”
Through his Troost-Ekong Foundation, established in 2024, he will champion land restoration and environmental awareness by supporting grassroots initiatives, education and local development projects. His work will directly support the Great Green Wall, a flagship Africa-led initiative aiming to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, sequester 250 million tonnes of carbon and create 10 million green jobs by 2030.
“William Troost-Ekong embodies the spirit of Sport4Land – determined, visionary and rooted in his community,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Executive Secretary.
His leadership on and off the pitch will help shine a light on the urgent need for land restoration – not only in Africa, but around the world. We are proud to welcome him to our team of Sport4Land Champions.
By connecting the universal language of football with the global challenge of land degradation, Sport4Land turns passion into action – scoring goals not only on the pitch, but for the future of our land and our communities,” Thiaw added.
In his first engagement as Sport4LandChampion, Troost-Ekong will host a charity football match in Lagos on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in conjunction with this year’s Desertification and Drought Day with the theme of “Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities.”.
The event will bring together athletes, fans and community members in a celebration of the power of sport to unite and drive meaningful change for the land.
The Nasarawa State Government says it will sustain efforts to utilising lithium resources in the state towards establishing the first electric vehicles factory in Nigeria.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Gov. Abdullahi Sule stated this at an event organised by the Abdullahi Sule Gidan-Gidan Support Group to commemorate his six years in office.
The event held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Lafia, the state capital city.
The state’s lithium reserves have garnered significant attention, particularly with the recent inauguration of a lithium processing factory in the state.
The factory was built by Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited.
Sule said that the development aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to promote clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
He added that his government would ensure that all mineral resources, including lithium produced in the state were processed there before exported or transported to other states and countries.
The governor added that, in spite of government’s efforts, it was only the first stage of lithium processing that is currently taking place in the state.
“We will continue to engage investors and strategic partners to ensure that the second stage, which is the production of battery and assembling of vehicles in the state.
“My administration’s desire is to achieve this milestone,” Sule said.
Sule, who feared that his administration may not complete the project, assured that his predecessor would bring it to fruition.
Sule thanked President Bola Tinubu for his impressive economic reforms, promised to key into the president’s reforms for the overall development of the state.
The governor also promised to use the remaining two years of his administration to better the lots of the citizens.
Earlier, Hajiya Hussaina Sule and Chairperson of the support group, said that the event was to celebrate the achievements of the governor in the last six years.
Sule, who is the governor’s daughter, commended him for executing a lot of legacy projects across the state.
She listed some of the critical projects to include, flyovers and underpasses in Lafia and Akwanga, and the State Secretariat complex in Lafia.
She added that the governor had also constructed over 600 kilometers of urban and rural roads, among others.
The Sustainable Education and Livelihoods Foundation (SELF) has commended the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) for its work in empowering communities and promoting human rights through environmental justice.
Participants in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, at the bootcamp organised by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP)
In an interview during the just-concluded bootcamp hosted by WEP on April 29 and 30, 2025, in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, Hyellagiziya Fakuta, founder and CEO of SELF, expressed her gratitude for the experience, describing it as both enlightening and deeply impactful.
“Not only for me personally, but for the strategic direction and growth of our organisation,” the SELF chief added.
The bootcamp, she went on to explain, provided a platform for participants to explore significant issues at the intersection of environmental protection, human rights, and sustainable development.
Elaborating further, Fakuta hinted that the exercise was not just informative — it was practical and transformative and has strengthened SELF’s vision and strategy and deepened its commitment to bridging the gap between grassroots realities and national policy.
According to her, the issues covered during the event expanded her knowledge of how environmental degradation is inextricably tied to basic human rights, particularly in marginalised communities. It also reaffirmed how vital it is to incorporate environmental justice into SELF’s livelihood and education initiatives.
She observed that the topic of gender equity as a pathway for sustainable development highlighted the critical role of women in achieving environmental sustainability, emphasising that the practical strategies shared during this session will assist her organisation in designing more inclusive and gender-responsive programmes that will uplift women and promote equity.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a critical role in advancing gender parity in environmental governance. By gathering and evaluating data, promoting culturally aware human rights, keeping an eye on the effects of policies, and organising communities, they operate as change agents.
In light of this, the SELF boss asserts that the discussion of CSOs’ role in promoting gender equality in environmental governance has “equipped us with new tools and motivation to be a stronger voice for the people we serve.”
As a result, on behalf of her establishment, she expresses profound gratitude to WEP for conducting the impacting training in her state.
“Your commitment to empowering organisations like ours is helping to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all,” Fakuta stated.
AXIAN Energy held the official foundation stone laying ceremony for the NEA Kolda solar power plant on Thursday, May 22, 2025, marking the start of construction. The site is located in southern Senegal at Tankanto Escale, in the Kolda region, approximately 700 km from Dakar.
Ground-breaking ceremony of the NEA Kolda solar power plant in Senegal
The ceremony took place in the presence of the authorities of the Kolda region, alongside the local communities, the first beneficiaries of this high-impact project.
A strategic lever for the energy transition in Senegal
At a time when Senegal has set itself the goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to 40% by 2030, NEA Kolda is said to be a major pillar of this ambition. With an installed capacity of 60 MW, complemented by a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 72 MWh, the project is establishing itself as a regional benchmark in energy innovation.
The plant will help secure the electricity supply of more than 235,000 people while strengthening the resilience of the national grid in the face of consumption peaks. This project reflects the authorities’ commitment to cleaner, more accessible, and more affordable energy.
An alliance of strategic actors
The success of the NEA Kolda project is based on close collaboration between key partners in the energy sector and leading investors. In October 2024, the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), and Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) granted €84 million in financing to support the implementation of this strategic infrastructure. The total investment cost now stands at nearly €105 million.
The construction of all the energy production and storage infrastructure for the NEA Kolda project has been entrusted to the Voltalia–Entech consortium, two leading players in the field of renewable energy.
This collective mobilisation is part of a broader continental dynamic of energy transition aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the share of renewable energies on the African continent.
Benjamin Memmi, CEO of AXIAN Energy, said: ” I am particularly proud and happy today to lay this first stone alongside all our partners who have demonstrated constant support in the implementation of this emblematic project. Driven by a sustainable vision and focused on the real needs of the regions, this project embodies a new generation of energy infrastructure in West Africa, combining inclusion, innovation, and territorial impact. This step marks the beginning of a structuring project that will contribute sustainably to Senegal’s energy autonomy.”
A driver of economic and social transformation
True to its commitment to delivering high-impact projects for local communities, AXIAN Energy places human and economic development at the heart of its initiatives. The NEA Kolda project is a concrete example of this. Beyond energy production, this infrastructure acts as a true driver of social and economic transformation for the Casamance region.
The project also includes an ambitious CSR action plan structured around five axes: Access to health, Social and educational success, Economic development, The promotion of sport and culture, Climate change management.
AXIAN Energy has reportedly invested nearly 2 billion FCFA in a series of high-impact social initiatives, designed to support the most vulnerable populations towards sustainable autonomy:
Strengthening economic autonomy
Financial management training was organised to enable beneficiaries, particularly women and young people, to better manage their income, structure their activities and develop a long-term entrepreneurial culture.
Support for sustainable agricultural practices
To strengthen food security and communities’ productive capacity, training sessions on sustainable farming techniques were organised, along with seed distribution. These actions enabled farmers to adopt better agricultural practices, increase their yields, and better manage natural resources, while promoting their economic autonomy.
Support for the development of the livestock sector
To support the development of livestock farming, several infrastructures and support measures have been put in place: construction of a vaccination park, distribution of veterinary equipment, training of breeders, creation of a production track to open up livestock areas, as well as the installation of watering troughs. These interventions have contributed to improving animal health, facilitating access to veterinary services, and strengthening the resilience of breeders in the face of climatic hazards.
Upcoming flagship community projects include the construction of a maternity centre, which will provide safe access to quality care for women and newborns, as well as the establishment of sports infrastructure designed to promote the positive values of sport: self-improvement, team spirit and solidarity.
Beyond its energy impact, the NEA Kolda project will also play a key role in strengthening local employability. Nearly 400 talented individuals from the region will be mobilized to participate in the construction of the plant, and then in its operational management once it is commissioned, thus contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic development.
Maïramou Haman Adji, Impact & Sustainability Manager at AXIAN Energy, said: “At AXIAN Energy, we are convinced that energy is an accelerator of territorial transformation. This is why the launch of the NEA Kolda power plant is accompanied by an ambitious CSR program, focused on sustainable food and economic autonomy, so that this infrastructure directly benefits local communities. Our mission is to make each project a source of human progress, serving an inclusive energy transition deeply rooted in African territories.”
Panelists at a webinar held ahead of World Environment Day 2025 have urged stricter enforcement of Nigeria’s environmental laws to deter further environmental violations.
Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sterling One Foundation
The webinar was titled: “From Pollution to Innovation: Aligning Policy, Enterprise and Community for Sustainable Waste Solutions in Nigeria”.
Dr Tunde Ajayi, General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), said Lagos had strong policies, but implementation and enforcement remained a major challenge.
Ajayi warned that without tougher consequences, environmental offences would persist unchecked and worsen over time.
Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, said Nigeria had commendable environmental policies needing better integration of circular economy principles.
She acknowledged Lagos State’s active partnerships but called for a stronger framework for enforcement, monitoring and evaluation.
According to her, involving stakeholders was key to ensuring policies were fully implemented and sustained.
Mr. Olumide Lala, Co-Founder of Climate Transition Ltd, advocated including waste management in the national educational curriculum.
He urged households to begin sorting waste at the source for effective recycling and disposal.
Lala also called for full enforcement of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy across all sectors.
Mr. Obuesi Phillips of SWEEP Foundation proposed a dialogue between policymakers and grassroots communities for better policy alignment.
Another discussant, Dr Osuji Otu, advised the government to partner with the private sector, particularly in environmental policy formulation and execution.
Climate experts, policymakers, scholars, and civil society actors gathered at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja from May 22 to 23, 2025, for a national workshop focused on scaling up climate resilience and promoting nature-based solutions across Nigerian communities.
Some participants at the national climate change workshop in Abuja
In his welcome address, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), set the tone for the event. “We must not be seen to be talking too much but doing too little,” he cautioned, emphasising the need for action over rhetoric. He also reflected on NEST’s 38-year legacy in environmental advocacy and sustainable development.
Nwajiuba expressed appreciation to the workshop’s sponsors – the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) – and acknowledged the participation of key stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and various development partners.
The workshop also served as a curtain-raiser for NEST’s two-day national conference, which centred on strengthening inclusive advocacy, enhancing community resilience, and promoting environmental stewardship across Nigeria’s diverse landscapes.
Representing the Minister of Environment, Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to initiatives aligned with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Speaking at the NEST 2025 Conference, Dr. Abiola-Awe delivered a policy address on “The NASPA-CCN and the Climate Change Act,” stressing the urgency of proactive adaptation measures to safeguard Nigeria’s ecosystems and economic stability.
“Climate change is a global challenge with local consequences,” she said. “We must build adaptive capacity now, especially for the most vulnerable populations.”
She traced Nigeria’s climate policy journey from the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) in 2011 to the enactment of the Climate Change Act in 2021, which now serves as the nation’s legal anchor for climate action. With support from the Green Climate Fund, she added that the Ministry has developed a draft National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and conducted vulnerability assessments to identify climate hotspots across the country.
“Incorporating conflict sensitivity into climate planning is essential,” she noted, highlighting the links between resource scarcity and insecurity in some regions.
Commending NEST’s unwavering commitment, she reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to drive inclusive, climate-resilient development through strategic partnerships.
“As we look to the future,” she concluded, “let us plan intentionally and empower communities to adapt to uncertainty. Together, we can build a sustainable Nigeria that leaves no one behind.”
In his keynote address, Professor Haruna Kuje Ayuba, Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University and Chairman of the Occasion, welcomed participants and offered a deep reflection on NEST’s legacy.
“It is an honour to welcome you all to this conference organised by the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST),” he began. “For over 37 years, NEST has been a key catalyst in promoting climate change awareness, advocacy, and action within Nigeria’s environmental agenda. Its work has helped shape policies, mobilise communities, and foster a culture of environmental responsibility.”
He noted that NEST’s extensive research on climate impacts in Nigeria led to the formulation of the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change in Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) in 2012, a pivotal document that laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation.
“As a watchdog,” Professor Ayuba continued, “NEST has monitored environmental policies, projects, and practices, holding both government and corporate entities accountable for their roles in sustainability. Through advocacy and research, it contributed to the development of Nigeria’s legal frameworks on climate change, notably the enactment of the Climate Change Act in 2021 and other institutional reforms.”
Speaking on the conference theme – “From NASPA-CCN to Climate Change Act in Nigeria: Mapping the Pathway Beyond 2030 Towards Sustainable Development in Nigeria” – Professor Ayuba described the theme as a testament to Nigeria’s evolving climate commitment.
“This journey, from the voluntary framework of NASPA-CCN to a binding legal structure under the Climate Change Act, illustrates a progressive dedication to institutionalising climate action.”
He observed that Nigeria has made critical milestones in its climate journey: from signing the Paris Agreement in 2015 to submitting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and formulating its Climate Finance Strategy (2018) and National Climate Change Policy (2021). These efforts culminated in the Climate Change Act, which now provides a comprehensive legal foundation for climate governance.
“However, legislation is only the beginning,” Professor Ayuba emphasised. “The real work lies in implementation, stakeholder engagement, and aligning climate policies with national development priorities.”
He further urged that as Nigeria looks beyond 2030, it must map a clear, inclusive, and actionable pathway, integrating climate considerations into agriculture, energy, urban development, and health sectors. “Our goal must be to harness this momentum and build a future where economic growth complements environmental sustainability.”
Professor Ayuba called for united action across government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. “Together, we can translate policies into impactful actions that secure Nigeria’s climate resilience and sustainable development for generations to come.”
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, who was represented by Dr. Wasiu Adedokun, commended the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST) for its longstanding commitment to promoting climate-smart agriculture. He particularly praised NEST’s efforts in equipping farmers with adaptive techniques to withstand erratic weather patterns and environmental stressors.
Dr. Wasiu also acknowledged the outstanding contributions of Emeritus Professor David Okali, immediate past Chairman of the NEST Board, describing him as a “trailblazer whose scholarly work and leadership have left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s environmental governance and national development.”
In a goodwill message delivered at the conference, Sam Onuigbo, a key figure in Nigeria’s climate policy landscape and sponsor of the Climate Change Act 2021, underscored the importance of education in climate adaptation efforts. He called on all stakeholders, especially the education sector, to integrate climate change lessons into curricula at all levels of schooling, stressing that environmental literacy is essential for building long-term resilience and shaping future leaders capable of responding to climate realities.
Delivering a keynote titled “NEST and Climate Change Governance in Nigeria: Towards and Beyond 2030,” Dr Peter Tarfa, former Director of the Department of Climate Change, described climate change as a serious threat to Nigeria’s socio-economic stability. He warned that without effective governance, the country risks significant developmental setbacks.
“Effective governance is not limited to government alone but involves a broad framework of state and non-state actors,” he noted.
Dr Tarfa outlined the major players in Nigeria’s climate architecture – government agencies, non-governmental organisations, academia, the media, and international partners – emphasising the need for collaborative synergy.
He spotlighted the increasing toll of climate-related impacts, from desertification in the North to sea-level rise in the South, with cascading effects on agriculture, public health, and national security.
Nigeria’s climate governance framework, he said, must integrate policy, legal, and institutional components. “Legislation provides the regulatory tools; institutions offer the technical backbone. The real challenge lies in execution.”
Dr Tarfa praised NEST’s historical contributions, especially the development of NASPA-CCN, which has guided subsequent national climate strategies.
On Nigeria’s 2030 climate targets, he reaffirmed the commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent unconditionally and 47 per cent conditionally. Post-2030 priorities, he added, should include mainstreaming climate concerns into national planning, fostering innovation, and expanding access to climate finance.
He also identified persistent challenges such as weak institutional capacity, poor inter-agency coordination, inadequate funding, and limited public awareness. “Nigeria has the frameworks,” he stressed, “but our Achilles’ heel is implementation.”
A compelling intervention came from Dr E. D. Oruonye of Taraba State University, who delivered a paper on the role of the private sector in financing climate resilience beyond 2030. He noted Nigeria’s acute vulnerability to climate shocks and emphasised the need to diversify sources of climate finance.
While acknowledging progress since NASPA-CCN and the passage of the 2021 Climate Change Act, Oruonye identified the absence of robust financial mechanisms as a major obstacle. “Nigeria needs over $177 billion by 2030 to meet its climate goals,” he said, citing United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates.
He observed that less than 20 per cent of climate finance inflows between 2015 and 2020 came from domestic private sources – a critical shortfall. “Without deliberate efforts to harness private capital, our ambitions will remain mere intentions,” he warned.
Key barriers to private sector engagement, he explained, include limited access to finance, policy inconsistency, weak project pipelines, and insufficient institutional capacity. Regulatory uncertainty and the absence of reliable climate risk data further deter investment.
Oruonye advocated for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a sustainable pathway forward, suggesting that strategic incentives and legal safeguards could unlock investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy.
He also proposed the establishment of a climate finance platform to pool and de-risk private capital for both adaptation and mitigation projects. “We must move from planning to pipeline,” he urged.
Delivering another keynote titled “The Impact of Livelihood Diversification on Climate Change Resilience among Rural Households in Kebbi State,” agricultural economist T. A. Manga described climate change as “arguably the most significant environmental challenge of the 21st century,” with sweeping effects on food security, water access, and livelihoods.
Manga explained that Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on climate-sensitive sectors. In Kebbi, prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall have devastated farming and fishing communities.
“Rural households are increasingly turning to diversified livelihoods to cope with climate stressors,” he noted. He defined livelihood diversification as the development of multiple income streams and social networks that strengthen resilience to climate shocks.
His research found that households with varied income sources were more food-secure and financially stable. He called for enhanced rural credit access, low-interest loans, and infrastructure investments in roads, water, electricity, and ICT to foster non-farm income opportunities.
He also presented findings from a separate study on “Climate-Proofing Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security in Southern Taraba.” With over 706 of Nigeria’s rural population reliant on agriculture, he said, the sector now faces serious threats from flooding, temperature rise, and rainfall irregularities.
“These climatic threats are undermining traditional farming systems,” he warned, advocating for the adoption of drought-tolerant crops, conservation agriculture, and modern irrigation technologies.
Manga called for stronger adaptation policies, institutional coordination, and targeted support for smallholder farmers through financial assistance, research investments, and capacity building.
Participants from state environment ministries, community-based organisations, and the media discussed nature-based solutions spearheaded by local communities. Case studies from Abia and Taraba states showcased successful initiatives in afforestation, wetland restoration, and climate-smart agriculture.
Professor Emma Nzegbule, NEST’s Project Coordinator, outlined implementation strategies for ongoing projects funded by ACSEA and PACJA. Nzegbule urged state governments and NGOs to replicate models with demonstrated impact.
Professor Nwajiuba concluded the day’s deliberations with a rallying call for unity and innovation. “We must move from events to enduring impact. Every action count,” he said.
The conference brought together researchers, civil society actors, development partners, and government officials under a shared goal: to build a climate-resilient Nigeria. As the nation grapples with the escalating realities of climate change, the message from this gathering was clear – climate governance is no longer optional. It is imperative.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved maintenance dredging of the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport channel from 16.5 metres to 17 metres, targeting 19 metres eventually.
Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Dr Abubakar Dantsoho (3rd Right), Managing Director Lekki Port Mr Qiang Wang (1st Left), Board Chairman Lekki Port, Mr Abiodun Dabiri (1st Right) and Executive Director Finance & Administration NPA, Vivian Richard-Edet (2nd Right) when the NPA Management team paid performance enhancement visit to Lekki Deep Seaport on Saturday
Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 25, 2025, by Mr. Okechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Communication and Strategy, after a weekend visit.
Dantsoho encouraged the Lekki Port management to strengthen transshipment operations to support neighbouring landlocked countries.
He said the increase in cargo throughput at the port was highly encouraging and showed great potential for further growth.
Lekki’s ability to berth super post-Panamax vessels significantly improves cargo and vessel turnaround times, boosting Nigeria’s export competitiveness under Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The port’s efficiency supports growing transshipment volumes and helps neighbouring countries meet maritime demands while enhancing NPA’s scale-efficiency objectives.
This rising competitiveness encourages higher demand, strengthens forex inflows, and improves Nigeria’s annual trade surplus.
Dantsoho expressed hope that the port’s export volumes would soon double or even triple, supporting national economic targets.
He reaffirmed the NPA’s and Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining this throughput growth and supporting port operations.
Dantsoho added that Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had approved dredging based on NPA’s recommendation.
He said NPA signed a strategic partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to execute dredging for trade facilitation.
The government also seeks to deepen ties with CHEC and strengthen cooperation to expand Nigeria’s trade volumes through Lekki Port.
Dantsoho described Lekki Port as Nigeria’s newest, and expected it to embody all features of a modern, world-class port facility.
He acknowledged the port’s readiness for a port community system, a key requirement for integrating into the National Single Window.
Dantsoho stressed the need for full technology deployment across all ports and terminals to enhance operational efficiency.
He stated that a channel survey contract had been awarded to meet international navigation and port standards.
This, he said, would improve channel management around Lekki Port and support operational optimisation.
Dantsoho noted that many port efficiency tools – including Navigational Buoys and Tugboats – are dollar-priced and must be continually procured.
He emphasised the need for more revenue to purchase such equipment and ensure competitive salaries for operating personnel.
Once the Single Window system is fully deployed, with 95 per cent paperless processes, port revenues are expected to triple.
Electronic transactions will eliminate unofficial payments, making port operations more transparent and efficient.
At that stage, Dantsoho said, NPA could consider reducing Ship Dues to support shipping businesses.
He praised Lekki Deep Seaport for maintaining excellent performance and pledged continued support to maximise its potential.
Earlier, Managing Director of Lekki Port, Wang Qiang, submitted policy support requests to the NPA leadership.
He called for tariff adjustments to reflect service costs and inflation, and lower ship dues for large vessels and feeders.
Qiang also requested night pilotage services to enable 24/7 operations and improve turnaround time for vessels.
During his visit, Dantsoho also toured the $19.5 billion Dangote Petrochemicals Refinery facility.
Governments in the South-South region, particularly Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, are stepping up precautionary measures to avert widespread flooding and mitigate its impact on vulnerable communities.
Flooded street at Amarata in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
The measures are sequel to warning issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that heavy rainfall might cause severe flooding across 30 states.
In Edo, the Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA) has ramped up mitigation efforts in flood-prone areas such as Ekenwan Road, Uselu, Upper Mission Extension, and Auchi.
According to the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Momoh, desilting of major drainage channels and sensitisation campaigns have commenced to ensure water flows freely during the peak of the raining season.
“We are working closely with the state’s Ministry of Environment, local authorities, and community leaders to curtail early warning and educate residents on evacuation protocols,” Momoh said.
In a complementary effort, the state has unveiled a six-month work plan under the €175 million EIB-funded Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).
The initiative targets gully erosion, land degradation, and flood vulnerability across Edo.
Momoh noted that 10 per cent of the fund would be accessible during the initial phase, provided benefiting states meet key administrative benchmarks.
He said the state government has committed N500 million in counterpart funding to fast-track implementation.
In Delta, the state government has set up Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and activated its flood disaster preparedness mechanism due to the state coastal nature.
The Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr. Jamani Ejiro, emphasised that the indiscriminate dumping of waste and selling of water channels for building purposes were the major cause of flooding in the metropolis.
“We urge our residents to see their environment as their property and protect it. Keep drains clean and do not build on waterways,” he appealed.
To bolster preparedness, the state has set up IDP camps across key flood-prone localities in Isoko North, Bomadi, Ughelli South, and Asaba.
A Flood Disaster Management Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government has also been activated, comprising commissioners and heads of emergency response agencies.
“We are prepared. Delta is a floodplain and we always take precautionary steps even before NiMet’s seasonal predictions,” Ejiro added.
In Bayelsa, residents call for proactive action as flood fears mount. In 2022, floods displaced over 1.3 million people as such anxiety is growing as water levels rise in the Epie Creek and River Nun.
Residents of flood-prone areas in Yenagoa such as Azikoro, Ekeki, Swali, and Amarata are urging the state government to act swiftly.
Environmentalists like Mr. Jude Jack and Godwin Ekubo appealed for stricter waste management laws and proactive drainage clearing.
They warned that plastics and construction materials blocking gutters were compounding the flooding risk.
Responding to these concerns, Mr. Omuso Omuso, Director General of Flood and Erosion Control in the state, said that the “Prosperity Administration” in Bayelsa had instituted systematic cleaning of drainages and is committed to reducing the impact of floods.
“We cannot eliminate flooding completely due to our geographic location, but we can minimise its damage through preparedness and coordinated response,” Omuso said.
He added that the newly created flood control agency, in collaboration with the Ministries of Works and Environment, were already operational and addressing high-risk zones.
Meanwhile, across all three states, a common message resonates: flood prevention is a shared responsibility.
Governments are urging residents to support their efforts by maintaining clean environments, adhering to building regulations, and responding swiftly to relocation advisories when necessary.
With rainfall intensifying in the coming weeks, the effectiveness of these measures will be tested.
However, early signs show a shift towards more proactive and coordinated flood management across Nigeria’s South-South region.
Esuk Otu community in Cross River State, Nigeria’s South-South region, has been announced the run-off winner of the Empower Communities for Plastic Sustainability (ECPS) contest, defeating eight other communities from three states to receive the prize of N3 million.
Participants at the Empower Communities for Plastic Sustainability (ECPS) community pitching and award event hosted by YASIF in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The judges also declared Sharifai Kano Municipal, in Kano State, the winner of the second category, taking home a total of N1.5 million during an event organised by the Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF) on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Abuja.
The Akum Shango community, in Niger State, took third place and took home N700,000.
The occasion brought together stakeholders from the sustainability industry, including government officials from the Ministry of Environment, civil society organisations (CSOs), and development agencies, as well as media personalities, to discuss how to best address Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis.
With the event’s theme focused on how to empower rural people for a green economy, the keynote speaker, Mrs. Rita Idehai, founder and executive director of Ecobater, stressed the importance of plastic solutions at the intersection of livelihood and sustainability. It also featured a roundtable panel discussion with Mr. Stephen Agugua, representing the International Labour Organisation (ILO); Mrs. Ibironke Favour, national coordinator of UNDP GEF SGP; and Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), who deliberated on how to bridge grassroots action and policy to advance sustainable plastic solutions in Nigeria and beyond.
According to Lauretta Jimba, YASIF’s programmes and training manager, the ECPS project was launched by her organisation with support from the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) to demonstrate YASIF Nigeria believes that real climate action starts at the local level. Additionally, it seeks to establish the groundwork for the development of a grassroots movement that will generate innovative solutions to the nation’s plastic waste problem.
She continued by explaining that, as part of her mission to create a cleaner and greener environment, YASIF has trained more than 1,200 women and young persons, as well as people with disabilities, on how to creatively repurpose plastic and non-biodegradable waste, like old tyres, water sachets, PET bottles, and nylons, into useful items for homes, schools, recreation centres, and workplaces.
There is no doubt that a true plastic sustainability solution is impossible without human engagement. Jimba hinted that YASIF Nigeria’s decision to introduce the ECPS project was influenced in part by this understanding, which demonstrates the organisation’s conviction that effective climate action begins at the grassroots level.
“By equipping people with the tools and knowledge to act sustainably, we are not only protecting the environment but also driving economic growth and promoting social inclusion,” stated the YASIF programmes and training manager.
Other speakers who spoke at the parley called on the government to integrate informal waste sectors, particularly women and young people, to accelerate more opportunities in the plastic waste sector.
Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, founder and global lead of the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), emphasised the need for collaborating and empowering individuals in environmental health.
She stated that her organisation trained, certified, and registered waste pickers in partnership with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the federal ministry of environment in an attempt to help address the pollution caused by plastic waste.
“So for me, learning to cooperate is very important. As you go along your way, some of us are working in that area. I just wanted to share this story with you so that it can help you to also continue your work,” the WEP boss asserts.
In her remarks, deputy director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division, Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Falmata Bukar, underscores the urgency of addressing the problem of plastic pollution across the country.
Bukar, who was represented at the event by assistant chief chemical engineer, Kalu Lawrence Okechukwu, recalled that plastic pollution has raised global concerns due to its inimical impacts on the ecosystem.
She pledged that the ministry would support any initiative to address the country’s poor plastic waste management, particularly its partnership with YASIF Nigeria through essential programmes to increase sustainable development education and encourage communities to embrace inclusive and participatory practices that lessen plastic pollution.
The deputy director also praised YASIF Nigeria’s community empowerment programme as a great way to combat poverty and plastic waste.
In actuality, plastic pollution continues to be a significant environmental problem that hinders Nigeria’s socioeconomic development. According to several studies, the nation is a hotspot for plastic pollution, with an annual emission rate of 3.5 million tonnes, second only to India.
The ECPS initiative, which was initiated by YASIF, is unquestionably one of the options if the country is to address this challenge; it is a glaring example of how “a waste-free, greener Nigeria is possible” when everyone works together.
