The German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) has inaugurated a rebranded Climate Adaptation Business Alliance (CABA), a global network on climate resilience to spur economic growth and social equity.
Suleiman Dikwa, Executive Director of CABA
The alliance inaugurated under the GIZ PrivABoo initiative of the National Determined Contribution (NDC) Assist II project, is a landmark move towards private sector-led climate resilience.
A statement by GIZ on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Abuja, said the inauguration held in Nairobi, Kenya, featured climate innovators, investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs that are committed to making climate adaptation a driver of sustainable economic growth.
It stated that, with the inauguration, Fiji, Rwanda and Pakistan have Join Africa-led Initiative.
It noted that “CABA’s global expansion reflects a growing consensus that climate adaptation is not just a necessity but a major economic opportunity.
“With bold leadership, innovative financing and transnational cooperation, CABA seeks to become a global catalyst for transformative action benefiting vulnerable communities and the planet alike.”
Suleiman Dikwa, the inaugural Executive Director of CABA, delivering a keynote address titled “From Local Resilience to Global Transformation”, explained that CABA is built on the success of Green Sahara Farms in climate-stressed regions of Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin.
Dikwa further identified the initiative as promoting proven interventions like flood-resilient infrastructure, drought-tolerant agriculture and nature-based community solutions.
He says “these models illustrate how adaptation efforts can spur both economic growth and social equity.
“This is not the era of incremental change – we are leading the grand transition.
“Africa is not waiting to be rescued; we are actively shaping the economy, the earth needs – resilient, regenerative and just,”.
Dikwa outlined three strategic pillars guiding CABA’s mission as certification, policy reform and investment mobilisation.
He said CABA’s mission was geared towards establishing a globally recognised framework to certify credible climate adaptation enterprises, ensuring transparency, accountability and protection against greenwashing.
“Advocating for policy frameworks that value natural capital, incentivise regenerative practices and embed resilience into national development strategies.
“Inaugurating a climate adaptation deal flow platform to connect innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and community-based projects with impact-driven capital for scalable solutions,” he said.
The director said the alliance would establish sectoral working groups, implement a 100-day action plan, and outline a roadmap for onboarding new countries and partners through 2026.
The alliance also has Denis Mijibi as its Executive Secretary, tasked with leading international collaboration, resource mobilisation and strategic partnerships.
The only way to a climate consensus is to ensure we are building bridges and promoting solidarity by fostering equity and justice across the divide. Without this sort of solidarity collaboration, climate consensus would be difficult as climate change is not something that any one country or individual or city can tackle.
Professor Chukwumerije Okereke
Professor Chukwumerije Okeke of the School of Policy Studies, University of Bristol, made this submission in an interactive session with Educational Consultant and Author, Steven Roy Goodman, of Higher Education Today TV on the topic “Is Climate Consensus possible?” He noted that, without education and awareness, achieving the desired result in this regard might be a herculean task.
Prof. Okereke, while highlighting the importance of international conferences in the past years and its impact in addressing climate related issues around the globe noted that “If you imagine where we would have been without these international conferences, maybe things would have been much, much worse.”
In his words: “I am a believer in multilateralism. I think there are things that they could do differently, but I’d like to think that, without all of these COPs and conferences, things would have been worse. Just a few years ago in one of the conferences, the world agreed to triple the amount of renewable energy installations globally by 2030. And sometimes we tell a lot of bad news about climate change, but it’s also a lot of good news that can be told. Just this year, or last year, we now have installed nearly 510 gigawatts of renewable energy. And this is an open increase of 50 percent compared to 2022.
“And it is demanded that have been achieved from this conference that we want to triple the amount of energy installations by 2030. The thing is that that number has now been attained, reached that number. And I can tell you stories of how international solidarity and cooperation has really enabled the world to come together. But let’s not be mistaken. The average emissions rose by 1.9 percent in 2023 compared to the 2022 level.
“And so now we have surpassed the 50 billion metric ton mark. We now have a global total emission of about 53 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. So there is still much more to be done. The curve needs to be bent faster. We need to be going to net zero by 2050. And there is still so much gap in this area,” he stressed.
On the role played by Bristol University in educating people about climate change, Prof. Okereke said: “Many of my colleagues here in Bristol and other higher institutions around the world have played a major role in increasing the awareness of climate change. Many of us, including myself, participate in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC, which comprises global intergovernmental scientists that are really generating knowledge that is powering policy and practices on climate change. So, there is also growing awareness of the need for interdisciplinarity to educate more people, but to educate them in a more qualitative way.
“We also need to carry out more research to understand how not just the science of climate change can be improved, but also the public policies that are required to drive the climate action and build a consensus, as we’ve talked about. Because, again, we need to emphasize that the problem here is not just about technical numbers and technologies. It’s about culture, it’s about economy, it’s about politics, it’s about policy. And research can add a lot in understanding how we can build consensus, overcome the political and economic barriers that can increase action. But there’s also a third area, which is about service delivery.
“Research has recently shown that there are so many people in the private sector, in the secondary schools, in primary schools, who feel inner whipped to be able to teach climate change at a primary and secondary level practices at the sectoral level in organizations. So here again, universities can play a vital role in educating, equipping and providing service delivery to these kinds of people. And then the next area is actually what we do on campus.
“So the University of Bristol is the number one university in the UK to declare climate emergency in 2019, and one of the first to set a carbon neutral goal by 2030. And there are a range of other initiatives that the University of Bristol has set forth to increase our desire and our pace in reaching that zero. Thus, this year, February, there was an overwhelming vote.
“I asked students to go 100 percent plant-based food on campus. And so at the realm of what we do on campus, service delivery, research, education, but also community engagement, which is the fifth leg, communicating. That’s why the beauty of what we’re doing here, working with grassroots organisations, NGOs, transnational organisations, advocacy groups to promote awareness on what can be done.
“The university can play a major role and I’m glad to say that Bristol University is taking the lead in many of those areas. And what about in terms of advising other universities that perhaps may not be as far along the road as Bristol, whether they’re in the US, the UK or anywhere else in the world? You must find other universities that are doing some things but not as many as any of those universities,” he stressed.
Climate governance expert and legal practitioner, Huzi Mshelia, has called for intensified support for subnational climate action in Nigeria, stressing that inclusive, well-structured partnerships are crucial to building resilience in the face of escalating climate threats. He made this call while delivering a paper titled “Empowering Climate Resilience: Role of Partnership in Subnational Climate Action” at a recent NEST webinar.
Huzi Mshelia
Mshelia’s presentation spotlighted the growing urgency of decentralised climate governance, noting that the bulk of climate-induced disasters, such as flooding and desertification, affect local communities most severely – where technical and financial capacity for adaptation remains limited.
He stated that effective climate response must engage state and local governments, whose proximity to vulnerable populations makes them best suited to deliver impactful, context-specific solutions.
“The Paris Agreement already recognises the importance of involving all levels of government,” he said, citing recent legal frameworks such as the Nigerian Climate Change Act 2021 and Electricity Act 2023, which empower subnationals.
Speaking on the theme’s central thesis, Mshelia emphasised that “no one can go it alone.” He identified dynamic partnerships – spanning government agencies, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international bodies – as critical to achieving effective and sustainable adaptation at the subnational level.
He stressed that partnerships unlock financing, drive innovation, and deepen community ties. “Adaptation is resource-intensive and complex. Cross-sector collaboration enables impact amplification, while knowledge transfer through North–South and South–South partnerships strengthens technical capacity,” he asserted.
For partnerships to thrive, Mshelia outlined key features that include clear governance structures, mutual trust, legal backing, inclusive planning, flexibility, and a strong emphasis on local ownership. These features, he noted, foster transparency and ensure that interventions align with local realities and evolving climate risks.
On community inclusiveness, he urged devolving decision-making to the lowest effective level and addressing structural inequalities faced by women, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous groups, and the displaced. Capacity building, joint resource mobilisation, and scaling of successful innovations were also identified as strategic imperatives.
Real-world success stories were cited to illustrate the power of partnerships. These included Nigeria’s BNRCC Project implemented by NEST, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ multi-stakeholder approach, the ClimateWorks Foundation, and the African Adaptation Initiative, among others. Each example, he noted, demonstrated how collective action accelerates local impact.
According to Mshelia, locally led adaptation (LLA) offers unique advantages: it harnesses indigenous knowledge, enables rapid response to shocks, and ensures that the poorest and most vulnerable are central to decision-making.
“LLA strengthens resilience, reduces risk, and catalyses sustainable development,” he added.
However, he acknowledged formidable challenges: misalignment of goals among partners, unequal power dynamics, over-reliance on aid, fragmented policies, lack of enabling legal frameworks, and limited access to international climate finance. He lamented the absence of a pipeline of investment-ready projects at the subnational level.
“Most public-funded climate finance supports large-scale infrastructure,” he explained. “Subnational entities are rarely prioritised, and often have minimal influence over financial allocations despite bearing the brunt of climate impacts.”
Mshelia called for targeted policy reforms and investment in subnational capacity. He urged policymakers to create legal and institutional mechanisms that support local climate governance, encourage innovation, and promote inclusive participation across all strata of society.
He also advocated integrating adaptation into broader development agendas such as health, food security, infrastructure, and livelihoods. “Climate action must be mainstreamed into every aspect of national and subnational development,” he stressed.
Approaches to enhancing local action, according to him, include climate-smart social protection, digital entrepreneurship hubs, local leadership training, and community charters for transparency and accountability. He recommended deeper engagement with research institutions, CSOs, and local agencies to drive awareness and amplify results.
Mshelia reaffirmed the need for adaptive management and flexible programming to allow for continual learning and policy refinement. “Locally-led adaptation must not only be inclusive but also responsive to changing climate realities,” he maintained.
Reflecting on his extensive experience, Mshelia noted that the cost of inaction on climate change in Africa far outweighs the cost of action.
“In 2022 alone, flood-related damages cost Nigeria over $6.6 billion. The economic, environmental, and social consequences of climate inaction are simply too great to ignore,” he warned.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has inaugurated the newly appointed Governing Boards and Executive Management Teams of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs).
The minister with the newly appointed Governing Boards and Executive Management Teams of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs)
Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja on Friday, May 2, 2025, Utsev congratulated the appointees and emphasised their role in supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He urged the appointees to prioritise performance, integrity, and innovation by setting clear strategic directions and fostering collaborative, respectful relationships with executive management to achieve results.
The minister emphasised the importance of ethical leadership, adherence to regulations, and a thorough understanding of the River Basin Act and Water Resources Master Plan.
He stressed that effective management of water resources and the expansion of irrigated farming are key to achieving national food security.
“Appointees have been urged to fully understand the ethical rules and regulations guiding public office in order to promote integrity, accountability, and respect in their conduct.
“They are also expected to familiarise themselves with the River Basin Act, the Water Resources Master Plan, and relevant policies to help shape strategic direction and introduce innovative ideas that will transform the sector.
“Furthermore, the Federal Government emphasised the need for a strong commitment to expanding irrigated agriculture across all River Basin Development Authorities, with the goal of supporting all-season farming and enhancing national food production.”
Utsev also highlighted ongoing initiatives, such as the partial commercialisation of RBDAs and youth empowerment programmes, aimed at boosting food production, creating jobs, and reducing poverty.
He encouraged the new leadership to explore alternative funding sources and public-private partnerships to enhance financial sustainability.
“As a strategic extension of the ministry, you must uphold high standards to deliver on national priorities. Synergy, innovation, and commitment will be crucial to your success,” the minister said.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, described the induction retreat organised for the board members as crucial in repositioning the sector for national development.
Pheelangwah congratulated the appointees and stressed the need for strategic leadership, collaboration, and financial discipline to achieve core mandates in food security, irrigation, clean water access, and rural development.
He noted that the retreat would foster synergy and deepen governance understanding, urging participants to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
Abubakar Malam, Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, responded on behalf of all 12 River Basin Managing Directors and management teams.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for their appointments as key actors in the nation’s food security and rural development efforts.
Malam also praised Utsev for his leadership and acknowledged the support of the ministry’s permanent secretary and directors.
He reaffirmed the river basins’ commitment to promoting food security, rural development, and economic empowerment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the agencies’ collective role in grassroots transformation through agriculture, infrastructure, and poverty reduction will strengthen the sector.
Malam assured stakeholders that the river basins would work collaboratively to fulfil their mandates and justify the confidence placed in them.
The World Bank has reiterated its commitment to promoting disability-inclusive access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in Nigeria through its $700 million Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.
Participants at the roundtable discussion on disability inclusion in WASH
This reaffirmation came during a roundtable discussion on disability inclusion in WASH on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Abuja in collaboration with sector stakeholders, civil society organisations, and representatives of persons with disabilities.
The session was aimed at assessing progress, identifying gaps, and proposing inclusive solutions within the SURWASH implementation framework.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Awa Diagne, the World Bank’s Task Team Lead for SURWASH, stressed that the programme is not a one-off intervention, but a systemic performance-based platform designed to strengthen national delivery systems across the country.
“SURWASH is not a project, it is a programme that aims to strengthen national systems to deliver WASH services to everyone, with special consideration for people living with disabilities,” she said.
Diagne explained that SURWASH integrates disability inclusion into its performance-based financing model and supports the development of context-specific policies and guidelines to improve service delivery.
“We are not just financing infrastructure; we are helping states design policies that embed inclusion and resilience from the start, a major focus of the discussion was the importance of inclusive design that goes beyond physical infrastructure.
“Accessibility must go beyond ramps and handrails, it must reflect the full spectrum of disabilities, mobility, visual, hearing, cognitive, and must begin with meaningful engagement of stakeholders from the outset.”
She added that disability inclusion must be viewed not as an add-on, but as an essential part of design, planning, and implementation.
She further called on state-level implementers to take the outcomes of the roundtable back to their respective regions and translate discussions into action.
“We need to be more conscious of who we consult, and what we mean by disability inclusion,” she urged, adding that monitoring, evaluation, and accountability must be strengthened to ensure inclusive outcomes.
Also speaking, Cindy Ikeaka, Senior Social Development Specialist at the World Bank, noted challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing essential services in Nigeria.
She cited statistics indicating that more than 25 million Nigerians live with disabilities, many of whom are excluded from public services due to inaccessible infrastructure and weak enforcement of inclusion policies.
“We have children with disabilities who cannot go to school simply because the buildings are not designed to accommodate them,” she said.
Ikeaka underscored the need for stronger implementation of Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, passed in 2019.
“While some states have domesticated the law, enforcement remains inconsistent, it is not enough to pass a law, there must be mechanisms to ensure it is enforced,” she said.
She also pointed to other inclusive development efforts by the World Bank, such as the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, which promotes inclusive education, including for girls living with disabilities.
She stressed the importance of participatory engagement in all phases of development programmes.
“A person with a disability understands the barriers better than someone without one. If we want to ensure accessibility in schools, water points, or health centres, we must engage those directly affected.
“Inclusion is not optional but essential to achieving sustainable development and equitable service delivery,” she said.
In his remarks, Mr. Abdulhamid Gwaram, SURWASH National Programme Coordinator, reiterated that disability inclusion in Nigeria’s WASH sector is both a development priority and a legal obligation.
He referenced the 2019 disability rights law, which mandates inclusive public services and infrastructure.
“Disability inclusion is not just a moral imperative, it is enshrined in Nigerian law,” he stated.
Gwaram noted that inadequate planning and design continue to limit access to water and sanitation for persons with disabilities, undermining their dignity and well-being.
He explained that the SURWASH framework incorporates inclusive principles to address this gap, but stressed the need to decentralise the initiative.
“We now have partnerships with key stakeholders like the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, but we must take these conversations to the states and local governments to ensure real impact,” he said.
Also contributing, Mr. Tony Agwuna, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, called for greater disability inclusion in WASH programming across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He said inclusive WASH must encompass participation, non-discrimination, gender sensitivity, accessibility, staff training, and effective monitoring.
He recommended the disaggregation of programme data to reflect the experiences of people with disabilities and ensure their inclusion from planning through to implementation.
“All MDAs should institutionalise the needs of people with disabilities in their programmes,” Agwuna added.
“Inclusive WASH is a human rights issue and is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
The SURWASH programme is being implemented in seven states of Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Katsina.
Botswana’s government unveiled a comprehensive five-year anti-poaching strategy on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, aimed at protecting the country’s wildlife through enhanced law enforcement collaboration and community involvement.
Dignitaries at the launch of the 2025-2030 National Anti-Poaching Strategy
The 2025-2030 National Anti-Poaching Strategy, launched by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, establishes joint operational centres to coordinate intelligence and response to wildlife crime at national and district levels.
“This strategy is critically important for the conservation and sustainability of our biodiversity, our economy, and the interests of future generations,” said Environment and Tourism Minister, Wynter Mmolotsi, during the launch in Gaborone.
Botswana houses the world’s largest population of African elephants and has positioned itself as a conservation leader on the continent.
The initiative comes amid growing global concern over declining wildlife populations threatened by poaching, habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict.
Balázs Horváth, UNDP Resident Representative in Botswana, pledged continued support through “resource mobilisation, policy dialogue, and institutional capacity building.”
Horváth highlighted the Kgalagadi-Ghanzi Drylands Ecosystem Project as an example of integrated conservation, describing its four strategic pillars, including “strengthening law enforcement coordination, increasing community participation, promoting sustainable land use, and embedding gender equality.”
The strategy emphasises multi-sectoral coordination between government agencies, law enforcement, civil society organisations and local communities.
A wildlife conservation organisation in Botswana has called for the permanent prohibition of elephant trophy hunting and stronger anti-poaching legislation throughout the country.
Elephants
The Elephant Protection Society argues that hunting undermines conservation efforts and damages Botswana’s standing as a conservation leader, according to statements made to Africa Brief News.
“Elephant hunting weakens public support for broader conservation efforts and sends the wrong message about the value of living wildlife,” said organisation representative Oaitse Nawa.
“Even the loss of a few key elephants can disrupt herd movements, breeding patterns, and increase human-wildlife conflict.”
Botswana reinstated trophy hunting in 2020 after a five-year ban.
The current system allows local hunting license holders to sell trophies, though ivory remains regulated under international agreements.
The society disputes claims that hunting effectively manages elephant populations or provides significant community benefits, calling elephant overpopulation “a myth propagated by hunting companies.”
The organisation advocates for eco-tourism alternatives, community-led conservation initiatives and non-lethal population management strategies.
Government officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism have expanded hunting quotas in several regions, including area NG35, citing large elephant populations.
The conservation group warned residents near Maun to remain vigilant in areas where hunting takes place, suggesting that recent elephant-related incidents may be connected to hunting activities.
The world generated an estimated 400 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2024. This torrent of water and shampoo bottles, dispensing containers, polyester shirts, PVC piping and other plastic products weighed as much as 40,000 Eiffel Towers.
Plastic waste pollution
It is part and parcel of a plastic pollution crisis that experts say is ravaging ecosystems, exposing people to potentially harmful pollutants and stoking climate change.
“Plastic pollution is one of the gravest environmental threats facing the Earth but it’s a problem we can solve,” said Elisa Tonda, Chief of the Resources and Markets Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “Doing so could not only improve the well-being of people and planet but also unlock a host of economic opportunities.”
Countries worldwide are now negotiating an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Against that backdrop, this year’s World Environment Day will focus on ways to prevent plastic waste from escaping into the environment, such as curbing pollution from single-use plastic products and redesigning plastic products so they last longer.
Ahead of World Environment Day, here’s a closer look at what plastic pollution is, why it’s such a problem and what can be done about it.
1. How much plastics is out there?
A lot. Today, plastics are an important part of the modern world, used in everything from car parts to medical devices. Since the 1950s, researchers estimate humanity has produced 9.2 billion tonnes of material, some 7 billion tonnes of which have become waste.
2. What kinds of plastics are the most problematic?
A major source of plastic pollution are single-use plastic products, which are not circulated in the economy, overwhelming waste systems and entering the environment. Some of the most common single-use plastic products are water bottles, dispensing containers, takeaway bags, disposable cutlery, freezer bags and packaging foam.
3. Where do you find plastic pollution?
The short answer: nearly everywhere. It’s in lakes, rivers and the ocean. It dots city streets and farmers’ fields. It’s bursting from dumpsites. It’s piling up in deserts and worming its way into sea ice. Researchers have even found plastic debris on Mount Everest and in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth.
4. Why is plastic pollution such a problem?
There are three big reasons.
First, plastic pollution can wreak havoc on ecosystems. One study found that small plastic particles can slow the growth of a microscopic marine algae known as phytoplankton, which is the base of several aquatic food webs. As well, fish often mistakenly eat plastic products, filling their stomachs with indigestible shards that cause them to starve to death.
Second, plastic often breaks down into tiny fragments – known as microplastics and nanoplastics – which can build up in the human body. Microplastics have been found in livers, testicles – even breast milk. One study found that on average, a litre of bottled water contains in the range of 240,000 microplastics.
Third, plastic throughout its life cycle also contributes to climate change. Plastic production – an energy-hungry process – was responsible for more than 3 per cent of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, researchers estimate.
5. What do microplastics do to humans?
We don’t know yet. But researchers are working feverishly to find out because of the alarming amount of microplastics we are ingesting.
6. Can recycling alone end the plastic pollution crisis?
No. Only about 9 per cent of plastics are actually recycled, according to a study from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. There are several reasons for that. Many plastic products are not designed to be reused and recycled. Some are too flimsy to be recycled, while others can only be recycled once or twice. Many countries lack the infrastructure to collect and recycle plastic waste. But perhaps the biggest problem: recycling systems cannot keep up with the explosion of plastic waste. Global plastic production doubled between 2000 and 2019.
7. So, how can the world tackle plastic pollution?
We need to think big. That means looking beyond recycling and finding ways to limit the environmental and health problems caused by plastic pollution. This means looking at every stage of products’ lives, from their production, design, and consumption to their disposal. This is known as the lifecycle approach. In practical terms, that means reducing our dependence on single-use plastic products.
It means redesigning plastic products so that they last longer, are less dangerous and can be reused and ultimately recycled. It means finding alternatives to plastics in a range of products. And it means preventing plastics from seeping into the environment.
8. This all sounds expensive and difficult. Is it?
Not necessarily. Governments, corporations, non-profit groups and people around the world are already rolling out innovative solutions to end plastic pollution. And research suggests the lifecycle approach could save the world US$4.5 trillion in social and environmental costs through 2040.
“We need to stop thinking about solutions to plastic pollution as an expense,” said Tonda. “They’re investments in healthy societies and a healthy planet—things that would pay dividends for generations to come.”
9. What is the world doing about plastic pollution?
Many countries are taking on pollution at the national level with laws designed to rein-in the use of single-use plastic products and compel plastic manufacturers to take long-term responsibility for their products. However, because plastic pollution is a cross-border problem, international cooperation is critical. That’s why nations are now negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee – tasked with developing the accord – will meet for the second part of its fifth session from August 5 to 14, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. The talks, say experts, are an acknowledgment by world leaders of the severity of the plastic pollution crisis and the need for a legally binding agreement to address it.
10. Why is there so much urgency to beat plastic pollution?
Without decisive action, the problem of plastic pollution will only get worse. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forecasts that, by 2060, plastic waste will nearly triple to one billion tonnes a year. If current trends continue, this will lead to an increase in plastic pollution, with nearly half of the newly generated plastic waste landfilled, incinerated or lost into the environment.
Courtesy: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, says Nigeria must intensify its internal strategies to achieve sustainable development with shrinking global multilateral cooperation.
L-R: Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Mr Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, at the official validation of 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), launch of the SDGs Progress Report 2024 and an Inclusive Data Charter (IDC) Action Plan, in Abuja
Gbajabiamila said this during the official validation of the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR), the inauguration of Nigeria SDGs Progress Report 2024 and unveiling of Inclusive Data Charter (IDC) Action Plan, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Abuja.
“In a shrinking multilateral space, we must look inwards for sustainable solutions to our economic, social and environmental challenges,” he stated.
Gbajabiamila underscored the vital role of the SDGs as a strategic framework to guide these efforts.
He noted that Nigeria’s commitment – demonstrated by the successful conduct of VNRs in 2017, 2020, and now 2025 – reflected the government’s resolve to meet the 2030 target.
He commended Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, for her tireless leadership in coordinating the process.
He explained that the 2025 VNR followed six regional consultations held in March 2025 across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He said exercise assessed progress, identified gaps, and gathered input for the upcoming High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations in July.
He explained that the consultations underscored the importance of inclusive, participatory, and evidence-based approaches to fast tracking the implementation of SDG.
Gbajabiamila also called on ministries, departments, agencies, development partners, the private sector, academia and civil society to deepen collaboration and mobilise resources to ensure no one was left behind in Nigeria’s sustainable development journey.
He reiterated the Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to the SDGs, describing sustainable development as a cardinal objective within the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He conveyed President Tinubu’s best wishes, noting his strong interest in achieving the SDGs.
“When world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, they envisioned a just and truly egalitarian society where no one is left behind.
“Achieving the SDGs will mean ending poverty and hunger, safeguarding our ecosystem and ensuring our people live in peace and prosperity by 2030 and beyond,” Gbajabiamila said.
In her welcome address, Orelope-Adefulire told stakeholders that the national validation workshop reinforced Nigeria’s deepening commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
She noted that nearly a decade after the adoption of the SDGs at the 70th UN General Assembly, Nigeria continued to demonstrate resolve in achieving them.
She referenced the 2024 United Nations SDGs Report, which showed that only 17 per cent of global targets were on track, with developing countries and the poorest populations bearing the greatest burdens.
“Lack of progress towards the SDGs is universal, but developing countries and the world’s poorest people are bearing the brunt,” she remarked.
Orelope-Adefulire described the VNR process as a critical component of the HLPF review mechanism, offering transparency and accountability at the national level.
She noted that Nigeria’s 2025 VNR was the product of extensive consultations across all six geopolitical zones.
She said the consultations included targeted engagements with persons with disabilities, youth and children.
“This national validation workshop not only reaffirms our commitment to the 2030 Agenda but also demonstrates our resolve to ground implementation in inclusive, evidence based, and participatory principles,” she said.
She urged participants to critically assess the VNR’s findings and recommendations to ensure a robust final report.
The Nigeria SDGs Progress Report 2024, unveiled at the workshop, provided a detailed goal-by-goal analysis of achievements and setbacks, while offering strategic recommendations for policymakers at all levels.
Orelope-Adefulire also announced the inauguration of Nigeria’s Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan 2024, developed in partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics and Sightsavers Nigeria.
“Our commitment to leaving no one behind must be data driven and evidence based,” she said.
She added that the IDC Plan reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to disaggregated and inclusive data systems as the foundation of accountable development.
She praised the Multi-Stakeholder Core Working Group for its coordination of the VNR process, acknowledging its diverse membership spanning government agencies, the UN system, civil society, academia, and the disability community.
She also thanked Sightsavers Nigeria for its support in ensuring the active participation of persons with disabilities.
Mr. Mohamed Fall, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, delivered a goodwill message in which he commended the Federal Government for its inclusive approach to the VNR and reiterated the UN’s ongoing technical and financial support.
“With less than five years remaining, the SDGs are globally off track. But Nigeria’s participatory approach gives us hope that the course can still be corrected,” he stated.
Fall highlighted Nigeria’s role among the 39 countries presenting VNRs at the 2025 HLPF, offering a platform to showcase transformative and science-based strategies.
He urged the workshop to produce actionable recommendations to address challenges such as poverty, inequality and climate change.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) echoed similar sentiments. Represented by Mr. Eghosa Omoigui, Assistant Director, Mr. Abdulateef Shittu, NGF Director General, cited subnational progress from Kwara, Lagos, Gombe and Edo states as proof of local innovation driving change.
“Resource gaps, data limitations, and climate impacts test our resilience, but they sharpen our resolve to act smarter and leave no one behind,” he said.
He added that the NGF was committed to supporting states in localising the SDGs through innovation, partnerships and knowledge sharing.
He urged participants to transform the validation process into a renewed commitment to the 2030 Agenda, stressing, “Nigeria’s story is one of resilience, partnership, and the promise of delivering on sustainable development.”
The Director-General of Nigeria Conservative Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja, has called on Nigerians to organise tree planting events to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries rather than throw lavish parties.
Dr. Joseph Onoja
Onoja made the call on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Abuja at the maiden edition of the Abuja Garden Festival, against the backdrop of severe heatwave being experienced across the country.
He said that being intentional about tree planting by channelling resources to it would go a long way to reduce the effects of climate change in the country.
“Rather than throwing parties during your anniversaries and birthdays, organise trees planting events.
“This is so that we will have trees around us that will be able to play the role we are supposed to play to create more resilience, especially, in the face of climate change.
“In the coastal areas, we have erosions while in the North, we have desertification coming in. So, we need to have trees around us to be able to stop that from happening.”
Sen. Ede Dafinone, in a keynote address, said that the Federal Capital Territory had taken some steps to revamp green areas in the city.
“The existing trees should be protected, the initiative to plant trees in schools is a laudable initiative.
“The green areas must remain green areas. Resident associations, schools, faith based organisations should be encouraged regarding tree planting.
“Everyone deserves access to clean green space in the FCT. Planting a tree is a bold step to protect our future and Abuja should lead by example,” he said
Also speaking, the facilitators of the event, Mrs. Eyamba Nzekwu and Mrs. Nana Gbolahan, said the need to protect the environment motivated them to organise the event.
Nzekwu said that since Abuja was still being developed as a city with a lot of construction going on, trees were being cut down without replacement.
“The onus is on us as residents to improve our well-being by contributing to our environment to start planting trees.
“If you have a tree, the tree has a lot of benefits, it provides shade from the elements.
”If you have trees around your house and there is severe windstorm, the trees act as a wind breaker to break those winds from getting into your premises to destroy your roofs or your property.
“Some trees are even medicinal, a lot of trees are being exported from Africa for their medicinal benefits,” she said.
Gbolahan said that if people continue to cut down trees, the effect would be erosion, desertification, excessive heat and even some other plants would die.
“We need the trees to provide a protective shield for us, Abuja has been very hot and then, you also have an extreme heat that is affecting our plants in the environment.
“We decided to focus on the environment and get more people on board. You don’t just have to get gardeners; you need people that are affected by the climate which is everybody.
“This year, our focus is to plant more trees and we are starting this initiative from schools in the FCT,” she said.
Gbolahan added that the initiative was to complement the efforts of government as well as to get support from the government in their effort too.
The event was attended by garden owners, people who sell natural flowers and other natural foods.
Seedlings were given to those who attended the event to plant and report the progress at the next festival.
