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Chubb becomes 30th major insurer to reject EACOP

Michael Simire
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Chubb becomes 30th major insurer to reject EACOP

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) faces more challenges as Chubb, one of the world’s largest fossil fuel insurers, confirmed it will not provide insurance coverage for the controversial project. This decision follows Chubb’s updated conservation policy from April 2024.

Chubb Insurance
Chubb Insurance

With this announcement, Chubb becomes the 30th major global insurer to refuse EACOP, joining a growing list of 43 banks and 29 other insurance firms who have also rejected financing the pipeline. The insurer’s updated conservation policy restricts underwriting new oil and gas projects in globally recognized protected areas—a category under which EACOP falls. This decision is the right step towards climate responsibility in an industry that has long avoided accountability in the fight against climate change.

“Chubb’s decision to exclude EACOP from its coverage is a win for people and the planet,” said Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator. “Under the threat of climate and systems collapse, insurance should serve to protect communities from extreme weather events and should support resilient, locally rooted economies powered by socially owned renewables.”

EACOP is a 1,443-kilometre crude oil pipeline stretching from Uganda’s Kabaale and Hoima districts to the Tanzanian port of Tanga. It has been widely condemned for its devastating social and environmental impacts. These include the displacement of over 100,000 people, destruction of livelihoods, forced evictions, and alarming biodiversity loss – particularly in Murchison Falls National Park, a protected area where TotalEnergies is actively drilling.

“As someone who lost land and livelihood to this controversial project, I welcome this news from Chubb,” said Rachel Tugume, one of the EACOP-Project Affected People. “EACOP has brought only suffering – forced evictions, destroyed farms, and broken futures for our children. No amount of money can replace what we’ve lost, but seeing global companies reject this project gives us hope. The world is finally listening to our cries.”

Chubb’s decision means it will no longer underwrite projects in Murchison Falls or any of the conservation areas listed in the World Database of Protected Areas. This aligns with mounting international pressure on financial institutions to move away from high-risk, high-impact fossil fuel projects.

“We celebrate Chubb’s move to rule out insuring EACOP as a response to the serious community and climate risks associated with the controversial project,” added Ethan Nuss, Senior Campaigner with Rainforest Action Network. “Chubb has the potential to be a true climate leader by strengthening its policies to protect other frontline communities, like those on the US Gulf Coast, from the devastation of industrial fossil fuel projects.”

The #StopEACOP campaign is now challenging other major insurers – AIG, Liberty Mutual, Tokio Marine, Brit, and Chaucer – to follow Chubb’s lead. The firms were asked to choose between short-term fossil fuel profits and a just, climate-resilient future.

The campaign stated: “This is a pivotal moment for the insurance sector to step up. Across the EACOP route, communities are rallying behind the REpower Afrika campaign’s call for socially owned, decentralised renewable energy systems that meet people’s real needs.

“Insurance should enable this shift by prioritising development rooted in the region’s vast renewable energy potential – underwriting projects that expand access to clean healthcare, education, nutrition, decent work, and shelter.”

In a related development, over 70 civil society organisations (CSOs) from Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and beyond have published an open letter urging the Government of Oman to refrain from providing financial or diplomatic support for EACOP.

The letter comes amid reports that the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is actively engaged in discussions with the Omani government to secure critical investment for the EACOP project, which has struggled to plug major funding gaps. The 1,443-kilometre pipeline, stretching from Uganda to Tanzania, has become a lightning rod for international criticism due to its links to ongoing human rights violations, widespread environmental damage, threats to water, food security and local economies, and its role in exacerbating the global climate crisis.

In their appeal to His Majesty, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and the Government of Oman, the CSOs highlight the opportunity for Oman to take a principled stand in line with its Vision 2040 strategy. They point to the Oman East Africa Trade and Investment Expo as a platform to advance responsible and future-focused partnerships, noting that the event “presents valuable opportunities for trade in key industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, clean energy, construction, technology, and consumer goods.”

The letter urges the Omani government “to engage with the Ugandan government and companies on these ethical and valuable opportunities, and to refrain from engaging with the oil sector.” The CSOs warn that supporting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) would not only undermine global climate goals but also contradict the foundational principles of Islamic finance, which uphold justice, social welfare, and the protection of life, wealth, and the environment.

“It would be a betrayal of trust and the strong historical ties between the government of Oman and the people of Uganda and the region if Omani financial institutions were to support this controversial project,” the letter states.

The signatories call on the Omani government to use its influence and investment capacity to champion a just energy transition in Africa — one that respects human rights, safeguards ecosystems, and enables lasting prosperity for communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. 

Specifically, the CSOs urge the Government of Oman to: publicly commit to refraining from financially or diplomatically supporting EACOP and related oil projects; redirect investments toward sustainable sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly infrastructure; and engage with East African nations on mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities that align with global climate goals and uphold human rights. 

They stress that, by prioritising ethical and sustainable investment, Oman can strengthen its global reputation and help foster long-term, climate-conscious economic partnerships with East Africa. A formal response from the Government of Oman is requested by April 20, 2025.

Building resilience through nature: Ghana’s high-level engagement on nature-based solutions

Michael Simire
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Building resilience through nature: Ghana’s high-level engagement on nature-based solutions

Last month, a diverse group of stakeholders – including Ghanaian policymakers, members of the diplomatic corps, biodiversity conservation activists, experts in forestry, wildlife, water, and land management from public institutions, NGOs, civil society, academia, and the media – gathered in Accra, Ghana for a high-level policy dialogue on Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
A session at the a high-level policy dialogue on Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Initially, NbS focused on actions like tree planting to rehabilitate degraded forest ecosystems. However, the concept has since evolved. Not all nature-related actions qualify as NbS – for instance, planting tree species that deplete underground water resources and disrupt the water cycle cannot be considered NbS.

Today, NbS is defined as actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems while effectively addressing societal challenges and improving human well-being. This approach, championed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for over two decades, has gained global traction as a vital tool for climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, and building community resilience.

This understanding informed the two-day high-level policy engagement to improve capacity of participants to mainstream NbS into national development planning and budgeting processes. It was organized by IUCN in partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

In a statement, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, said the NbS project aligns with the national development objectives and is crucial in helping the country achieve its targets outlined in her Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

The statement, which was read on his behalf by MEST’s Director in-charge of Environment, Dr. Peter Dery said the engagement was of national significance as it would contribute directly to the realization of the national and global targets.

On the matter of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, the Minister’s message specified that his Ministry’s priority was to incorporate NbS into the nation’s development framework in alignment with policies including Ghana’s National Land Policy and the National Climate Change Policy.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling environmental degradation through initiatives like the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, aimed at restoring millions of hectares of forest. This initiative is seen as central to enhancing biodiversity, combating climate change, and supporting local livelihoods.

NbS is at the core of the work of the Forestry Commission (FC), which manages about 3.6 million hectares – 15% of Ghana’s forest reserves and protected areas.  FC’s Acting CEO, Huges Brown, noted that the Commission’s strategies and operations align with NbS principles and extend across the country, including off-reserve areas.

He cited key programmes such as the Ghana REDD+ Strategy (2016–2035) and the Forest Plantation Strategy (2016–2040), which are helping to protect and restore forests, while safeguarding communities and their livelihoods.

Touching on the significance of the high-level engagement, Country Director for WUSC in Ghana, Appiah Wiafe Adofo, said it provided an opportunity to critically examine the role of NbS in addressing social challenges while safeguarding biodiversity, ecosystem services, and overall ecosystem health in Ghana.

This is being done through the Nature-based Climate Adaptation in the Guinean Forests of West Africa’s Project (NbS Project) designed by IUCN, World Agroforestry, A Rocha Ghana and ABANTU for Development in collaboration with WUSC and the Canada based Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI). This was in response to the significant climate change induced challenges including: reduced annual rainfall, rising local temperatures and frequent heatwaves, worsened by human-induced environmental degradation facing the project area, which is a globally significant biodiversity hotspot.

Appiah noted that since its inception in April 2023 in Ghana, Côte d’ivoire, and Guinea, the Project has seen a lot of progress especially in effective partnerships and meaningful stakeholder engagements with public-sector institutions at local and national levels as well as with civil society organizations working to promote environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and gender equality.

He said that, in Ghana, the team has collaborated closely with traditional authorities and over 50 women’s groups across 17 communities in the Bosomtwe and Wassa Amenfi landscapes in the Ashanti and Western Regions.

Key outcomes of the policy dialogue included identifying opportunities to integrate NbS into sector-specific policies. These include incorporating NbS into Ghana’s Riparian Buffer Zone Policy to promote inclusive water resource management and revising the National Water Policy to use NbS in addressing flood risks and coastal degradation. There was also broad support for expanding green infrastructure and urban green spaces as sustainable alternatives to conventional infrastructure.

Earlier, the technical capacities of 56 industry experts and policymakers were enhanced through an in-depth exploration of the NbS concept, its development process, and its foundational principles. A key component of this session was practical guidance on using the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT), which enables participants to determine whether case study initiatives qualify as NbS. Additionally, the tool empowers stakeholders to assess if projects truly represent nature-based solutions, ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of NbS interventions.

By Ama Kudom-Agyemang

EfD Nigeria seeks review of Fisheries Act, underscores need for institutional framework

Michael Simire
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EfD Nigeria seeks review of Fisheries Act, underscores need for institutional framework

The Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre (REPRC) has declared that constituting an institutional framework will not only go a long way to develop the Fisheries and Aquaticulture sector of Marine and Blue Economy, but it will also ensure the sustainability of the sector for the coming generation.

Fisheries Act
Participants at the Review of Sea Fisheries Bill and Fisheries Management Plan Workshop in Lagos

Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, Director, REPRC, of the Environment for Development (EfD Nigeria), University of Nigeria Nsukka, who made this submission on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, while speaking to journalists in Lagos during the Review of Sea Fisheries Bill and Fisheries Management Plan Workshop, said there is need to review the Fisheries Act 1992.

He said: “After 32 years, this Act needs to be reviewed and updated so that Nigeria will have a fisheries law that is in tandem with the global standard.”

In his speech, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, noted: “It is a fact that the Sea Fisheries Act of 1992, though instrumental in its time, no longer reflects the contemporary realities, technological advancements, ecological concerns, or economic complexities of today’s marine environment.”

The Minister, who was represented by Mr. Paul Opuama, Director of Fisheries Support Services, Abuja, added: “The Sea Fisheries Act lacks provisions to fully address critical issues such as climate change, ecosystem-based management, traceability, monitoring and surveillance technologies, and global trade compliance.

“This is why the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under my leadership and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is fully committed to ensuring that the reviewed Bill is enacted by the Federal Executive Council.

“We understand the urgency of this matter and will work diligently to expedite the process toward establishing a robust legal and regulatory framework. This framework will align with international obligations such as the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the Port State Measures Agreement, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals – particularly Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use ocean and marine resources, holding immense promise for our nation” he stressed.

Mr. Omoragbon Wellington, Director Fisheries and Aquaculture, highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration and the successful implementation of the reviewed Act and the Fisheries Management Plan, adding that it will require a unified approach, involving not only the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, but also the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), and various state agencies.

“The revised Fisheries Management Plan must integrate local knowledge systems and traditional governance practices that have sustained coastal communities for generations,” he stressed.

On his part, Mr. Babatunde John Olusegun, retired Director, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, opined that reviewing the Bill would go a long way in managing the marine resources.

“The resources will be conserved, even the foreigners coming into the country will be cautioned especially when they see that our laws are deterrent,” he added.

Associations that were represented at the workshop include Nigeria Trawler Owners Association (NITOA), Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Catfish and Allied Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria, Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria, and Association of Indigenous Fish Importers, among others.

By Ajibola Adedoye

Activists demand fair Renewable Energy Transition in Brazil ahead of COP30

Michael Simire
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Activists demand fair Renewable Energy Transition in Brazil ahead of COP30

Dozens of people from around the world, including Indigenous leaders, climate activists, and community leaders on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, brought solar panels and a giant banner created by renowned Brazilian artist Mundano to the doors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) in Brasília. Ashes from the wildfires in the Amazon were used to create the 30ft artwork banner with the words “Brazil, lead the just energy transition at COP30.”

COP30
The 30ft artwork banner with the words “Brazil, lead the just energy transition at COP30”

The action called for a direct response to a letter delivered to the COP30 presidency during the Free Land Camp (Acampamento Terra Livre, in Portuguese), signed by over 180 organisations from around the world and thousands of individuals from 98 countries in an online petition. The letter demands that ending fossil fuels, ensuring a just energy transition, and centering Indigenous and traditional leadership be core priorities at COP30.

Participants in the action are attending the event “Renew Our Power” this week, organised by 350.org, an international climate activism and community organising group advocating for a just energy transition. The gathering brings together over 200 climate leaders from more than 70 countries in Brazil, aiming to boost community renewable energy projects – a strategic milestone on the road to COP30.

Cacique Jonas Mura, Indigenous leader from the Amazon, said: “At this COP30 in our home, the Amazon, Brazil needs to show that it is the climate leader it wants to be. Instead of wanting to exploit oil, and instead of continuing to be one of the world’s main oil exporters, Brazil needs to lead the way towards the end of the fossil era and the beginning of a just and popular energy transition.

“We Indigenous people are the guardians of the planet. We need our lands demarcated, respect and space to speak and decide, but we know that as long as there is oil, we won’t have that. As long as we keep burning the planet with fossil fuels, there will be no real solution.”

Mundano, Brazilian artivist, said: “Artivism is an essential tool for tackling the climate emergency, because numbers and data no longer seem to impact people. Neither do collapsing landscapes or even extreme weather events such as heatwaves, severe droughts or unprecedented floods seem to be awakening the collective conscience.

“Artivism comes in as another language – sometimes more playful, sometimes more direct – capable of reaching people in other ways, generating reflection on the seriousness of the climate crisis and the urgency of action.”

Savio Carvalho, 350.org Head of Regions, said: “We’re here representing not only the hundreds of people gathered in Brazil to build a renewable future but those all over the world demanding climate justice. As COP30 hosts, Brazil has the opportunity to lead and implement the commitments made at previous UN climate negotiations – transition rapidly away from fossil fuels and triple renewable energy by 2030.”

COP30
Participants in the action

Portia Adu Mensah, 350 Ghana Reducing Our Carbon (GROC), said: “Communities on the frontline of the climate crisis need guaranteed access to safe, clean and reliable renewable energy. We need an urgent halt of fossil fuel projects like the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline which is destroying the planet and people’s communities.”

Serena Mendizábal, Sacred Earth Canada, said: “When envisioning new energy systems, we must ensure that our communities are not further excluded by climate policies or harmed by extractivism. We stand with our relatives who are fighting for their rights, defending the land, and leading the way forward. Indigenous wisdom and ingenuity are critical for combatting the climate crisis at COP30 and beyond.” 

Govt inaugurates working group to boost food systems

Michael Simire
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Govt inaugurates working group to boost food systems

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Agricultural Sector Working Group (ASWG) to strengthen Nigeria’s food systems.

Agricultural Sector Working Group (ASWG)
Participants at the inauguration of the Agricultural Sector Working Group (ASWG) in Abuja

The aim of the ASWG is to drive the implementation of Agri-Food System Transformation in Nigeria, in line with the resolution of the African Union Heads of State.

At the ASWG inauguration on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the group would help monitor progress and enhance accountability.

He added that this would be achieved through mobilising collective action towards achieving shared agricultural goals.

The meeting was jointly organised by the ministry and ActionAid Nigeria (AAN).

Kyari, who also chairs the ASWG, said the group would meet quarterly to appraise the sector’s performance, identify gaps, and propose alternative strategies to drive sustainable growth and development.

He noted that the forum brings together six key stakeholder groups in the agricultural sector.

They include the public and private sectors, research institutions, farmer organisations, civil society organisations, and development partners.

“These groups collectively shape the trajectory of agriculture in the country.

“The formation of the ASWG aligns with the broader resolution of the African Union Heads of State on agri-food system transformation, which seeks to enhance food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural development across the continent.

“Member states, including Nigeria, are expected to align national priorities with this vision to ensure a resilient and thriving agricultural landscape.

“Achieving this goal requires continuous engagement with key stakeholders to foster innovative solutions, strengthen collaboration, and enable effective policy formulation.”

The minister emphasised that through structured dialogue and shared expertise, Nigeria can ensure that its policies, programmes, and projects are tailored to meet both current and future challenges in agriculture and food security.

“Given Nigeria’s pivotal role in the global agricultural ecosystem, it is imperative that we establish a sustainable and structured platform that not only tracks our performance but also actively explores alternative strategies to bridge existing gaps,” he added.

Kyari assured that the ASWG would work to fulfil its core responsibilities, including providing advisory services and guiding policy initiatives that promote the sustainability, growth, and development of the sector.

“We will support the implementation of the African Union Heads of State’s resolutions on agri-food system transformation, in line with the 2025 Kampala Declaration.

“We will strengthen strategic and inter-sectoral linkages in the implementation of projects and programmes related to agri-food system transformation in the country.

“The ministry will explore funding opportunities to leverage the potential of the agricultural sector across the crop, livestock, fisheries, and forestry sub-sectors.

“We will also coordinate a solution-driven approach to address emergencies and policy interventions in the agricultural sector as needed,” he stated.

Kyari urged the group to uphold the principles of inclusiveness, transparency, prioritisation, and partnership for the collective transformation of Nigeria’s agri-food systems.

“This development will require a continuous commitment to aligning interests, harmonising interventions, and pooling resources for effective implementation of policies, programmes, and projects nationwide,” he said.

Mr. Azubike Nwokoye, Food Systems Specialist at ActionAid Nigeria, pledged the organisation’s support in providing vital information and monitoring whether agricultural interventions are reaching smallholder farmers in rural communities.

Citing the Growth Enhancement Scheme as an example, Nwokoye noted that while the initiative was effective in some areas, in others, farmers were shortchanged with adulterated seeds and fertilisers.

He also highlighted other challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as limited access to credit and land.

“Another critical issue is the source of funding for the agricultural sector, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) which has already commenced on a positive note.

“We are hopeful that additional resources will be allocated, so that by the time resources from the Fund and the ministry are combined, we can surpass the 10 per cent funding target for the agriculture sector,” he said.

By Felicia Imohimi

Research institute joins $27.4m initiative to cut methane from livestock

Michael Simire
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Research institute joins $27.4m initiative to cut methane from livestock

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, announced it is joining a new $27.4 million global initiative to reduce methane emissions from livestock by harnessing natural variation in how animals digest food.

kenya cattle
Cattle rearing in Kenya

Backed by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub, the effort will support research and breeding programmes across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania to identify and scale climate-efficient livestock.

“This initiative is a cornerstone of a broader global push to accelerate public-good research on enteric methane,” said Hayden Montgomery, Agriculture Programme Director at the Global Methane Hub. “Together with the Bezos Earth Fund, as part of the Enteric Fermentation R&D Accelerator, we’re building an open, coordinated foundation that spans countries, breeds, and species – delivering practical solutions that reduce emissions and support farmers worldwide.”

ILRI’s leadership in the Global Methane Genetics Initiative, together with its contribution to the Low Methane Forage project highlights its central role in delivering integrated, climate-smart livestock solutions for the Global South. Through these two complementary efforts, ILRI is tackling enteric methane emissions from both the genetic and nutritional fronts – two of the most promising and scalable strategies for mitigating livestock emissions without compromising productivity.

While the genetics initiative promotes the selection of naturally low-emitting cattle across diverse African production systems, the Low Methane Forage project identifies and deploys anti-methanogenic, high-yielding tropical forages suited for smallholder and pastoral systems.

Together, these projects demonstrate ILRI’s commitment to advancing science-based innovations that are practical, inclusive, and tailored to the realities of livestock keepers in Africa and beyond. By aligning research, capacity building, and deployment with national and regional needs, ILRI is helping to shape a sustainable future where livestock systems are both productive and climate resilient.

The initiative is part of the Global Methane Genetics initiative – an international collaboration working to make methane efficiency a standard part of livestock breeding. The effort will screen more than 100,000 animals, collect methane emissions data, and integrate findings into public and private breeding programs to deliver long-term, low-cost climate benefits.

ILRI’s Director General, Appolinaire Djikeng, shares, “This initiative marks a turning point for climate-smart livestock development in Africa. By harnessing the power of genetics and data, we are equipping farmers with the tools to breed more productive, resilient, and lower-emission animals. It is a bold step towards aligning Africa’s livestock systems with global climate goals, while enhancing livelihoods and food security.

“ILRI is proud to lead this effort in close partnership with national and international collaborators including Agriculture Research Council, South Africa, the Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), Burkina Faso and Universite d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin.”

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas – more than 80 times as powerful as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Cattle are the largest contributors to livestock-related methane emissions. But even within the same herd, some animals naturally emit up to 30% less methane than others. Scientists say selecting and breeding for these lower-emitting animals – just as farmers have long done for milk yield or fertility – can lead to permanent reductions in climate impact.

“Reducing methane from cattle is one of the most elegant solutions we have to slow climate change,” said Dr. Andy Jarvis, Director of the Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund. “Thanks to collaboration with the Global Methane Hub, we’re backing an effort that uses age-old selection practices to identify and promote naturally low-emitting cattle – locking in climate benefits for generations to come.”

Because these traits are already present in existing herds, farmers won’t need to change their feeding practices or invest in new infrastructure with this approach, making it easy to participate in climate solutions without disrupting daily operations.

“This work brings together the best of science, industry, and the global breeding community to accelerate genetic improvement for methane efficiency worldwide,” said Prof Roel Veerkamp, leader of the initiative at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). “It fits nicely with our mission at WUR to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.”

Over time, this approach could reduce methane emissions from cattle by 1.0–2% each year – adding up to a 30% reduction over the next two decades – without changing diets, infrastructure, or productivity.

Debt, Nature, Climate Review to launch final report in D.C.

Michael Simire
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Debt, Nature, Climate Review to launch final report in D.C.

An independent global initiative examining the link between sovereign debt, climate action and biodiversity conservation will release its final report on Thursday, April 24, 2025, during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.
The 2025 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings hold in Washington, D.C., USA

The Expert Review on Debt, Nature and Climate — backed by the governments of Colombia, Kenya, France and Germany — will launch the report from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Spring Meetings venue.

The document provides policy recommendations to borrower and creditor governments, multilateral financial institutions, credit rating agencies and the private sector.

The review’s interim findings warned of a “vicious circle” facing low- and middle-income countries that are simultaneously burdened by rising debt and worsening climate and biodiversity crises.

The final report calls for integrated solutions that align debt management with climate and environmental objectives.

“The Final Report is expected to shape high-level global forums, including the G20 under South Africa’s presidency, the Financing for Development Conference and the COP30 Baku to Belem Roadmap,” the organisers said in a statement.

The Expert Review draws on input from economists, environmental scientists, and debt policy specialists.

It aims to provide a pathway for reforming development finance in ways that enhance sustainability and resilience in vulnerable economies.

The event is expected to draw senior representatives from international financial institutions, donor governments, and environmental organisations.

RSVPs are being coordinated by Oliver Moyles at ODI: o.moyles@odi.org.

The Spring Meetings, which run April 21–26, come amid growing calls for reform of global financial institutions to better support countries confronting climate emergencies while facing fiscal distress.

By Winston Mwale, AfricaBrief

11 years after Chibok Girls’ abduction: Lasisi makes case for remaining captives in new poetry video

Michael Simire
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11 years after Chibok Girls’ abduction: Lasisi makes case for remaining captives in new poetry video

Performance poet and journalist, Akeem Lasisi, has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to intensify the search for the remaining Chibok Girls in the captivity of Boko Haram.

Chibok Girls
Chibok Girls

The award-winning poet does this in his newly released video of “Ẹyẹ Ìgbò: For Chibok Girls”, a track off his 2024 album titled “Òrèrè: A Gift of Poems”.

The innocent schoolgirls popularly called Chibok Girls were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, on April 14, 2014, making Monday, April 14, 2025, the 11th year of the attack.

Nigeria has had three Presidents since then – Goodluck Jonathan who was in power in 2014, Muhammadu Buhari and now Bola Tinubu.

Efforts made by all, deploying military might and diplomacy, led to the release or return of some of the victims but a good number are still being held.

As of April 2024, Premium Times reported that, of the 276 girls seized by Boko Haram, 128 had regained freedom in batches over nine years, while the whereabouts of 91 others remain unknown.

Official figures, however, later indicated that 187 had been released.

In :Ẹyẹ Ìgbò: For Chibok Girls”, Lasisi laments the fate of those still in bondage just as he sympathises with their parents and other loved ones who live with the nightmare of their absence. 

In the video now on Akeem Lasisi & the Songbirds on YouTube, an affected mother and her two neighbours are seen in a special prayer session for her kidnapped gem, while the poet leads a civilian “JTF” squad into ‘Sambisa’ forest, looking for the captives. An interplay of the sorrowfully chanted “ẹyẹ igbo” song, taken of a Yoruba folklore, and Lasisi’s critical poem establishes the endless painful anticipation the victims’ parents, and many other concerned people have for the return of the remaining Chibok Girls.

When the album was released last year, Lasisi had said on the track: “I still feel pained like many other concerned people. The best way to feel what the remaining abductees and their parents are going through is to imagine the tragedy happening to one. Imagining having one’s daughter or son – or both in the jaws of terrorists, somewhere in the anonymous bush, not just for a month or a year, but for 10 long years. It is extremely painful.”

He, however, noted that producing the track for Chibok girls was a source of relief to him because making a case for such embattled young ones was a debt that whoever had a voice should pay one way or the other.

Nigeria records significant drop in petrol imports – NMDPRA

Michael Simire
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Nigeria records significant drop in petrol imports – NMDPRA

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says Nigeria has significantly reduced its importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Farouk Ahmed
Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, NMDPRA

The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said this during the Meet-the-Press briefing series organised by the Presidential Communications Team (PTC) at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Ahmed said the county’s PMS daily importation had dropped from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13.

He attributed the 30-million-litre drop in imports to increased contributions from local refineries.

Ahmed also disclosed that local production of petrol surged by 670 per cent during the same period.

He credited the rise to the gradual restart of the Port Harcourt Refining Company in November 2024, along with added output from modular refineries across the country.

“After contributing virtually nothing in August 2024, local plants delivered 26.2 million litres per day in early April, a jump from the 3.4 million litres recorded in September 2024, which was the first month with measurable output.”

He, however, said that in spite the growth in domestic supply, total national supply exceeded the government’s 50 million litres per day consumption benchmark.

“Only twice within the eight-month period—56 million litres in November 2024 and 52.3 million litres in February 2025.

He added that the month of March 2025 saw a slight dip to 51.5 million litres per day, while the first half of April recorded an even lower average of 40.9 million litres per day.

Ahmed emphasised that the NMDPRA issues import licenses strictly in line with national supply requirements, underscoring the authority’s commitment to balancing imports with growing local production capacity.

He called for a collective national effort in protecting and maintaining Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.

According to him, all stakeholders – including security agencies, political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, and oil companies must work together to secure national energy assets.

“It takes all of us – government, traditional institutions, companies, and the youth – to collaborate and resist criminal activities that threaten our infrastructure,” he said.

The CEO also stressed that local government authorities and international oil companies (IOCs) such as NNPCL, as well as indigenous companies, must take responsibility in ensuring that oil assets are protected and maintained.

“Until we all commit to safeguarding these national assets, we should stop pointing fingers,” he added.

Ahmed reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the midstream and downstream sectors.

By Salisu Sani-Idris

NIMASA seeks investment in Blue Economy

Michael Simire
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NIMASA seeks investment in Blue Economy

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has urged individuals and corporate investors to explore emerging opportunities within Nigeria’s Blue Economy, especially in the maritime sector.

NIMASA
L-R: President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Jideonwu, Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Services Department of NIMASA; Mr Umar who representative of NIMASA DG; Mr Umar Mohammed Salisu; and Chief Public, Private Partnership Office in NIMASA, Mr Agu Chiedozie, during the 36th International Enugu Trade Fair

NIMASA’s Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, made the call in a statement on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, by the agency’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie, at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair.

Represented by Mr. Umar Mohammed, Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Data Management Services, Mobereola reaffirmed NIMASA’s dedication to implementing the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

He stressed the importance of inclusive economic growth by encouraging indigenous involvement in both domestic and international shipping.

“To fully harness our maritime potential, NIMASA is implementing an integrated development strategy that will support local operators in acquiring vessels,” Mobereola stated.

He added that NIMASA would also establish a National Carrier Line and create maritime training institutions to develop world-class seafarers.

Mobereola highlighted the Public Sector Cargo Support Programme (PSCPP), aimed at fostering a captive freight market for local operators and reducing foreign dominance in shipping.

He said these initiatives were being implemented through public-private partnerships to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.

“We invite investors and entrepreneurs to partner with us in building a competitive maritime sector that generates employment and drives economic growth,” Mobereola said.

The NIMASA DG thanked Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, and ECCIMA leadership for hosting the trade fair.

He described the event as a crucial platform for networking and attracting investment opportunities.

Mobereola emphasised that NIMASA plays a leading role in promoting Nigeria’s Blue Economy, through its mandate to regulate maritime activities and preserve ocean resources.

By Aisha Cole

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