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BBNJ Agreement entry into force: Time for fair, equitable implementation – Aguilar

Michael Simire
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BBNJ Agreement entry into force: Time for fair, equitable implementation – Aguilar

IUCN Director General Dr Grethel Aguilar’s reacts as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) came into force on Saturday, January 17, 2026, marking a defining moment for global ocean protection and multilateral environmental governance

Saturday, January 17, 2026, marks a historic milestone for the ocean and for multilateral environmental governance. With the entry into force of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), the international community has taken a decisive step toward protecting the ocean as a common heritage of humankind.

Grethel Aguilar
Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General

For the first time, the High Seas – nearly half of our planet – will be governed by a comprehensive, legally binding framework that enables cooperation to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. This Agreement transforms decades of scientific and traditional knowledge, advocacy, and diplomacy into concrete tools for action.

The BBNJ Agreement opens a new era for ocean protection. It makes possible the establishment of effective marine protected areas on the High Seas, brings modern environmental impact assessment standards to ocean activities, strengthens coherence across existing ocean governance bodies, and ensures the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources. In doing so, it turns the global ambition to protect at least 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030 into an achievable reality.

IUCN is proud to have contributed to this achievement over more than two decades, working alongside States, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and partners across the Union. We wish to recognise the visionary leadership of IUCN High Seas Adviser Kristina Gjerde, whose early and unwavering advocacy for a legally binding agreement to protect biodiversity on the High Seas helped lay the foundations for this Treaty. We now look to the leadership of the BBNJ High Ambition Coalition, to galvanise continued political momentum for a fast, fair and equitable implementation that brings the Agreement to life.

As the BBNJ Agreement enters into force, attention now turns to implementation. The next preparatory commission meeting, ahead of the first Conference of the Parties, will be a definitive moment that is critical to operationalising the Treaty. There, work will focus on establishing its institutions, financial mechanisms, and procedures, ensuring that capacity-building and technology transfer enable all countries to participate fully and effectively. 

IUCN stands ready to continue supporting Parties through the Technical Assistance Facility of the EU Global Ocean Programme (Component 1) to translate this landmark Agreement into lasting protection for marine biodiversity, resilient ocean ecosystems, and a healthier planet for present and future generations. 

Investing in technologies, data governance, institutional capacity key to Africa’s food security – Report

Michael Simire
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Investing in technologies, data governance, institutional capacity key to Africa’s food security – Report

Accelerating progress toward unlocking sustained productivity growth and food security in Africa requires coordinated interventions to strengthen the system-wide application of existing technologies and enable their widespread, efficient use, a new flagship report finds.

The 2025 Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR 2025), titled “Moving the Technology Frontiers in African Agrifood Systems,” identifies hundreds of digital tools with immediate and long-term potential for transforming agrifood systems. Digital farming, precision agriculture, remote sensing, AI, biotechnology, and organisational innovations can not only reduce transaction costs, strengthen efficiency, and support climate-smart productivity gains, but also enable innovative complementary institutions and governmental processes. 

Ousmane Badiane
Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson, AKADEMIYA2063

Published by AKADEMIYA2063 through the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS), the report concludes that Africa’s agrifood future will be shaped not only by the technologies that exist, but also by how effectively they are governed, financed, adapted, and embedded in inclusive institutions.

With strategic investment in science and digital infrastructure, empowered producer organisations, climate-resilient innovation pathways, and strong accountability systems, Africa can move beyond technology adoption toward technology leadership, helping shape global responses to climate change, food insecurity, and sustainable development.

Successful adoption and scaling depend on supportive institutions, coherent regulatory frameworks, predictable policy environments, and well-organised diffusion pathways.

These efforts, alongside strengthened Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) monitoring and data systems, will support implementation of the Kampala Declaration, which entered into force on January 1, 2026. 

“The Kampala ambitions can be achieved through sustainably raising productivity, cutting costs, and boosting capacity for product and process innovation along agrifood system chains,” said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson of AKADEMIYA2063. “The latest Annual Trends and Outlook Report demonstrates that the ‘technology frontier’ is not a single breakthrough, but rather the integration of biological, digital, engineering, ecological, and institutional innovations within a supportive political economy.”

Launched at the three-day ReSAKSS Annual Conference, the report finds that Africa’s agrifood transformation depends on apprehending technology as part of an integrated system, rather than a standalone solution. The analytical framework highlights three complementary pathways – technological progress, improvements in technical efficiency, and reductions in transaction costs – and shows that productivity gains have been constrained less by the absence of innovations than by weak institutions and barriers to widespread adoption.

Reviewing a wide range of underused emerging technologies, including AI and geospatial tools, biotechnology, digital agriculture, mechanisation, value addition, irrigation, livestock, insect-based systems, and aquaponics, and experiences from Europe, China, and Latin America, the report finds that impact depends on governance, financing, and inclusive diffusion, combined with sustained R&D investment, coherent regulatory frameworks, empowered producer organisations, and effective public–private partnerships.

This 17th edition of the ATOR includes two new indices: one measuring the untapped potential of African countries for using AI in agrifood systems, and a second measuring countries’ capacity for agricultural research and development beyond spending alone.

A first-of-its-kind “Untapped Potential Index (UPI)” identifies the African countries with the greatest opportunity to scale AI- and geospatial-enabled transformation in agrifood systems. South Africa and Botswana lead in AI and geospatial technology deployment within the agrifood sector, while Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, and Mali are approaching readiness. South Sudan, Niger, and Zambia have the highest UPI values, reflecting high transformation needs and adequate enabling conditions combined with low current adoption of AI and geospatial tools, significant yield gaps, and high hunger levels; these countries possess decent readiness infrastructure, but low current adoption of AI and geospatial tools.

A new ranking in the report, the Agricultural R&D System Capacity Index (ARDSCI), proposes a novel approach to highlight where investments are translating into real research capabilities and scientific outcomes. An application of the index using data from selected West African countries shows significant strides for Ghana, reflecting a high proportion of PhD-qualified researchers, substantial investment per researcher, and sustained growth in research intensity.

The report also highlights opportunities for broader use of small-scale irrigation, water harvesting, and resource-efficient technologies, with innovations such as insect farming, circular-economy solutions, aquaponics, organic-waste valorisation, and integrated nutrient management reshaping resource-use and production systems, while creating new economic opportunities, especially for youth and small enterprises.

The report concludes by presenting five strategic priorities to guide Africa’s next decade of innovation-driven transformation under the Kampala CAADP Agenda:

  • Strengthen innovation ecosystems and science institutions. Long-term investments in research, regulatory coherence, and sustainable financing are central to unlocking scientific and technological potential. Increasing and stabilising funding, supporting regional collaboration, investing in next-generation research talent, linking R&D to wider agrifood innovation systems, and improving performance metrics can help reposition agricultural R&D as a driver of Africa’s inclusive and climate-resilient development.
  • Promote inclusive mechanisms for technology dissemination. Empowering producer organisations, SMEs, digital innovators, and youth-led enterprises will broaden access and deepen the impact of emerging technologies. 
  • Expand digital and climate intelligence infrastructure. Investing in geospatial tools, digital twins, AI-driven analytics, and real-time data systems will be essential for managing climate risks, improving planning, and optimising resource use.
  • Prioritise climate adaptation and resilience in technological agendas. Climate-smart technologies across crops, livestock, water systems, and circular economy domains will remain essential for safeguarding productivity under changing conditions.
  • Strengthen governance, coordination, and accountability mechanisms. The CAADP monitoring architecture will continue to anchor the continent’s agricultural transformation and must evolve to reflect broader agrifood system objectives.

The report arrives at a critical policy moment, coinciding with the implementation phase of the Kampala Declaration and the associated CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035), which set ambitious targets for agrifood output, value addition, trade, investment, and innovation. 

“The Kampala Declaration recognises the role of science and innovation in Africa’s agrifood system transformation,” said Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission (AUC-DARBE). “This edition of the Annual Trends and Outlook Report provides timely evidence on how frontier technologies can be governed and scaled to deliver food security, inclusive growth, and climate adaptation across the continent. It is our hope that the report will serve as a strategic reference for policymakers, planners, investors, researchers, and practitioners, and contribute meaningfully to building more productive, resilient, and equitable agrifood systems across Africa.”

South Africa’s grasslands set global first for community-led carbon markets

Michael Simire
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South Africa’s grasslands set global first for community-led carbon markets

TASC, a leading carbon project developer, has achieved a global first with the issuance of certified Climate, Community and Biodiversity carbon credits from its pioneering Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa (GRASS) project – a landmark initiative restoring the country’s degraded rangelands.

The issuance of 266,255 Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) is the first to carry the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) label under Verra’s VM0042 methodology, providing independent assurance that climate mitigation is being achieved alongside measurable social and environmental co-benefits. GRASS was the first project registered under VM0042.

Shelley Estcourt
Shelley Estcourt, CEO of TASC Africa

The challenge

South Africa’s livestock sector covers 34 million hectares but faces extreme weather, poor productivity and degraded soils. A third of the country’s grasslands are already severely damaged by poor or non-existing management practices. Communal farmers own half the country’s livestock but supply just 9% of the meat market, lacking access to training, markets and income opportunities.

The solution

TASC’s pioneering Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa (GRASS) project was developed with the goal of supporting the restoration of South Africa’s communal rangelands, some of the most socially and ecologically complex landscapes in the country. The project has since expanded to include commercial farmers alongside communal landholders.

TASC partnered with Meat Naturally Africa, a highly respected South African social enterprise at the forefront of inclusive livestock farmer development, to equip communal farmers with regenerative grazing skills while unlocking real market access through mobile auctions and abattoirs. Ecorangers and farmers are trained in regenerative grazing, fire management, livestock production, business record-keeping, invasive alien plant management, and biodiversity monitoring.

Carbon revenues generated by the project are channelled back through a community trust, directly rewarding participation, strengthening local livelihoods, and creating long-term economic opportunity across rural communities.

The impact

GRASS today represents one of the largest grassland restoration initiatives globally – delivering climate mitigation while restoring ecosystems and supporting rural employment at scale.

The project currently spans over 605,000 hectares in the communal rangelands, engages more than 10,000 farmers and has created 900 jobs, nearly a third of which are held by women. It has also generated approximately ZAR56.4 million (~$3.350 million) in additional revenue for participating farmers through livestock and wool market access.  

More recently, TASC has expanded GRASS to include private, commercial sector farmers, with total rangeland under management increasing to 950,000 hectares. TASC plans to scale the project to 2 million hectares under management by 2030, which is forecast to sequester or avoid nearly 2 million tonnes of CO2e annually. 

Over its 100-year commitment, GRASS aims to mitigate 14 million tonnes of CO2e in the first 30 years alone.

Reflecting on the milestone, Shelley Estcourt, CEO of TASC Africa, said: “This issuance is a significant milestone that validates a core principle of our pioneering carbon project, that restoring degraded grasslands can simultaneously sequester carbon, strengthen biodiversity, and improve livelihoods in communal areas – not as an add-on, but by design.

“At a time when scrutiny of carbon markets is intensifying, GRASS demonstrates what high-integrity carbon can achieve: real emissions reductions, restored landscapes, and tangible benefits for communities that are often left behind. We’re educating and empowering local farmers to build long-term resilience in their landscapes and businesses, while providing measurable environmental benefits to help businesses across the globe achieve their net zero goals.”

Sarah Frazee, CEO of Meat Naturally, added: “We are proud to have co-developed this pioneering project with TASC and are thrilled to see the traditional grazing and fire management systems in GRASS independently validated – not just for its global contribution to carbon sequestration but for its contribution to biodiversity and livelihood benefits in a changing climate.”

Nigeria validates national policy to address land degradation 

Michael Simire
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Nigeria validates national policy to address land degradation 

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, validated an updated National Policy to address the menace of desertification, land degradation, and drought in the country.

Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment said this at the workshop on the “Review of the National Policy on Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought”.

Lawal, who was represented by Mr. Mahmud Kambari, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said that the validated document would effectively address the menace of desertification, land degradation and drought and enhance environmental sustainability in the country.

Malam Balarabe Lawal
Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment

“This occasion represents a vital milestone in our efforts to address Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought in Nigeria. As you are aware, Drought and Desertification are not abstract environmental concepts.

“This validation workshop marks a critical stage in the policy review process as it provides a platform for stakeholders to carefully examine the revised policy document, assess its objectives, strategies, and implementation mechanisms, and ensure that it reflects a shared national vision,” Lawal said.

The minister revealed that the objective of the validation is not merely about endorsement; but a collective ownership, asking hard questions, identifying gaps, and refining approaches so that the final document is practical, inclusive, and capable of delivering measurable results.

“It must encapsulate the realities at the national, state, and local levels. It must recognise the different ecological zones of the country and the unique challenges, land degradation is real and pressing challenges that affect millions of Nigerians, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country.

“These challenges threaten agricultural productivity, water availability, food security, biodiversity, and overall socio-economic stability.

“For farming and pastoral communities, drought means failed harvests, loss of livestock, increased poverty, and in some cases, loss of settlements.

“Desertification on the other hand steadily reduces the productivity of our land, weakens ecosystems, and places additional pressure on already scarce natural resources,” he said.

Lawal expressed optimism that the policy have the potential to serve as a foundation for integrated, long-term solutions that benefit both people and the environment.

“The draft National Drought and Desertification Policy document before us today is the outcome of the review of the existing policy which commenced on July 2, 2025 with the inception workshop which brought stakeholders from the 36 states of the federation including the FCT.

“Government would provide the leadership needed for its full implementation but it must be complemented by strong partnerships with the private sector, civil society, research institutions, and local communities,” he stated.

Kambari, who was represented by Mrs. Regina Nwaneri, the Director of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management in the ministry, said that the existing policy framework, while useful at the time of its development, must respond to new realities, emerging risks, and evolving national and international commitments.

“This necessity informed the decision to undertake a comprehensive review of the National Drought and Desertification Policy, which in all honesty is long overdue.

“The reviewed policy is expected to place stronger emphasis on early warning systems, preparedness, resilience building, and coordinated institutional action,” he said.

Mr. Abdulhameed Umar, the National Project Coordinator for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), said that land degradation has been an environmental challenge which is being tackled by ACReSAL with the support of World Bank.

Umar, who was represented by Alhaji Musa Shuaibu, Expert Advisor for Landscape Restoration and Wetland Management, ACReSAL, commended the validation of the policy and expressed optimism that land degradation, desertification and drought would be addressed.

Mr. Precious Agbesor, the FAO representative, said that validation of the National Policy, which represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to promote sustainable land management, climate resilience, and restored degraded ecosystems, is a welcomed development.

“The policy aligns strongly with Nigeria’s commitments under global and regional frameworks, including the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs one, two, 13 and 15.

“This inclusiveness is critical, as successful implementation will depend on shared ownership and coordinated action across sectors and levels,” Agbesor said.

Nwaneri, in her speech earlier, said that climate challenges have evolved, making it necessary to update the policy to address issues such as desertification, sand and dust storms, and drought.

“The validation workshop supported by ACReSAL and other partners we believe will produce an inclusive, realistic, and effective framework to tackle climate challenges at both local and national levels,” she said.

Mrs. Rose Okonkwo, the Executive Director, Programme Management, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation Limited, assured commitment to environmental issues to cushion the effects of climate change.

By Abigael Joshua

NAF destroys 131 illegal refineries, records 495 missions in 2025

Michael Simire
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NAF destroys 131 illegal refineries, records 495 missions in 2025

The Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) destroyed no fewer than 131 illegal refining sites and neutralised several crude oil theft facilities across the Niger Delta in 2025.

This had significantly helped in degrading the operations of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.

This was disclosed on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, during a briefing on the activities of the Air Component of OPDS and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 115 Special Operations Group, on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

Niger Delta refinery
Illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta

The brief was presented by Ft.-Lt. Aro, during the Media Tour of Defence Correspondents led by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja.

It was revealed that the air unit conducted 495 missions in 779 sorties, logging over 784 flight hours in support of joint operations.

The briefing said that sustained air operations had reshaped the theatre of operations, denied criminals freedom of action and enabled ground and maritime forces to exploit operational gains, contributing to improved crude oil production and national revenue.

According to the Air Component, air assets deployed during the period included T-129 ATAK attack helicopters, EC-135 helicopters, Diamond-62 aircraft and Wing Loong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), which played critical roles in intelligence gathering, interdiction and combat support.

It was stated that extensive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the detection of illegal refining camps, pipeline vandalism points and storage facilities hidden deep within creeks and communities.

“Footages obtained were analysed and fused with intelligence from other security agencies to generate actionable targets.

“Upon confirmation, the Air Component carried out air interdiction missions that resulted in the destruction of illegal installations, boats, reservoirs and storage tanks containing stolen petroleum products,” the briefing said.

In addition to the 131 illegal refining sites destroyed, the Air Component also neutralised 36 wooden boats, destroyed 23 reservoirs and dugout pits, as well as 125 storage tanks used for storing illegally refined products.

The operations, it added, created significant psychological pressure on criminal networks, forcing many operators to abandon their camps and deterring the re-establishment of destroyed sites.

Speaking during the engagement, the Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Group Capt. Abdulafeez Opaleye, said oil theft in the Niger Delta had become increasingly sophisticated.

Opaleye said that criminals now siphone crude oil through hoses running several kilometres from pipelines to concealed locations.

He stressed that while kinetic operations remained critical, community engagement was key to sustaining gains, urging host communities to see the Armed Forces as partners in progress.

“Our mission is to protect national assets and create conditions for economic growth. When oil production improves, the entire nation benefits,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, commended the Air Component for its operational successes and resilience, describing the media as a critical partner in national security.

Onoja emphasised the need for strong civil-military relations and effective strategic communication, noting that accurate reporting of military operations would enhance public confidence and national cohesion.

He reiterated that security remained a collective responsibility, calling on all Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to secure the Niger Delta and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.

The Air Component assured that joint air, land and maritime operations under Operation DELTA SAFE would be sustained to further curb militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the region.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Expert advocates enforcement-driven approach to end gas flaring

Michael Simire
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Expert advocates enforcement-driven approach to end gas flaring

An oil and gas expert, Prof. Wumi Iledare, has urged the Federal Government to tighten regulatory enforcement in accelerating the development of reliable gas infrastructure, critical to ending routine gas flaring in the country.

Iledare said in Lagos on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, that the nation’s persistent gas flaring problem was no longer about the absence of policy frameworks but the weak implementation of existing regulations.

The Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics and Policy Research, Louisiana State University Centre for Energy Studies, U.S., said enforcement must begin with flaring penalties that are economically meaningful rather than symbolic.

Gas flaring
Gas flaring

“Flaring fees should consistently exceed the cost of gas capture, taking into account inflation and fluctuations in gas prices,” Iledare said.

He added that regulatory exemptions must be clearly defined, strictly time-bound and transparently disclosed to prevent abuse.

Iledare also called for the deployment of real-time monitoring technologies, including metering systems, satellite verification and automated reporting, to close the gap between reported and actual flaring volumes.

“Enforcement must be consistent and impartial. Operators are more likely to comply when consequences are seen as inevitable,” Iledare said.

The expert acknowledged that inadequate infrastructure and limited access to finance remain major barriers to gas capture, noting that routine flaring persists largely due to the absence or high cost of gas evacuation options.

He advocated a blended approach in which government facilitates shared infrastructure such as pipelines and processing hubs, while the private sector drives efficiency and innovation.

“Fiscal incentives must be complemented with access to blended finance, including development, climate and commercial funds, to reduce investment risk,” he said, stressing that policy consistency was essential to attracting long-term investment.

Iledare said Nigeria’s energy transition would only succeed if it aligns with domestic economic priorities, adding that reducing gas flaring should directly support gas-to-power projects, the expansion of CNG and LPG infrastructure and increased industrial gas utilisation.

According to him, the objectives of Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” initiative and its climate commitments are complementary, with natural gas serving as a credible transition fuel.

“By directing captured gas to power generation, industry and transportation, reductions in flaring can translate into job creation, improved energy access, enhanced social welfare and lower emissions,” he said.

Reacting to the vision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Chairman on production optimisation, revenue expansion and regulatory predictability, Iledare welcomed the aspirations but cautioned against conflating outcomes with regulatory mandates.

“These are desirable outcomes, but they are not the regulator’s primary responsibility.

“Regulators enable value creation; they do not directly deliver barrels or revenues,” he said.

He explained that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) envisages sustainable production growth and revenue expansion as outcomes of transparent, predictable and rule-based regulation.

While commending initiatives such as service-level agreements, digital workflows and faster approvals, Iledare said their effectiveness would depend on being firmly anchored in clear regulatory instruments, institutional discipline and PIA-compliant processes.

“Ultimately, durable investor confidence and sector efficiency will be achieved through regulatory specificity, rules over discretion, predictability over speed, and institutions over personalities,” he said.

By Yunus Yusuf

Construction industry showing recovery, targeting measured growth in 2026

Michael Simire
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Construction industry showing recovery, targeting measured growth in 2026

Stakeholders in the built environment and construction industry have described 2025 as a period of recovery and resilience for the sector, expressing cautious optimism for further growth in 2026.

Industry observers are convinced that the construction sector recorded a remarkable improvement in 2025 compared to the previous year.

They project a slight growth in 2026 to be driven by economic rebound recorded in the last quarter of 2025, rapid infrastructure, high population growth, and significant government investment in infrastructure.

David Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi

Analysts believe that stronger investment in housing, infrastructure, oil and gas, and renewable energy would have driven greater growth, arguing that government initiatives, including the approval of major funding packages and reforms in construction-related laws, helped to create a better environment for the industry.

Major players in Nigeria’s construction space in 2025 include Hitech Construction Company Ltd., Julius Berger Nig. Plc, Megastar Technical and Construction Company, Setraco Nig. Ltd., and Dutum Group Construction Company.

In 2026, stakeholders expect improved performance supported by steady contract flow and earnings from projects secured in 2025.

They expect residential building segment to grow slightly, driven by the Federal Government’s pledge to construct about 550,000 new houses annually, projecting infrastructure development to play a major role, with anticipated investments in roads, rail systems, bridges and urban renewal projects.

Experts also foresee increased adoption of modern construction technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twin technology, which are expected to improve efficiency and project delivery.

The Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Apapa Branch, Mr. Emmanuel Okolo, urges that engineers and other professionals should be fully in charge of construction projects in 2026.

He advises governments and other stakeholders to avoid patronising quacks, saying that professionalism is key to safety, quality, and sustainable growth in the sector.

The Chairman of NSE, Ikeja Branch, Mrs. Nimot Muili, notes that the industry faced a number of challenges in 2025, including rising material costs, labour shortages, brain drain and economic uncertainty, which, she argues, affected foreign investment.

She is, however, optimistic the industry will grow more in 2026.

She believes that the growth will be driven by investments in data centres, water infrastructure, transport, renewable energy, and digital transformation.

According to her, expected expansion in the movement of goods and services will further drive infrastructure investments, while increased adoption of Artificial Intelligence, automation, smart buildings, and BIM will enhance productivity and reduce project delivery time.

She, however, expects labour shortages to persist, as the industry is projected to require about 499,000 new workers in 2026, up from 439,000 in 2025.

Mr. Olumide Adewebi, Vice President, West African Region of the Commonwealth Association for Surveying and Land Economy, and Chief Executive Officer of Geosys Nigeria, describes Nigeria’s built environment in 2025 as resilient “but under strain”.

According to Adewebi, the sector showed adaptability in spite of high inflation, exchange rate volatility, rising material costs and limited access to finance.

Adewebi is convinced that these pressures exposed long-standing weaknesses in planning, regulation, professionalism and project execution.

Adewebi argues that while government at both the federal and state levels showed increased awareness of housing delivery and infrastructure renewal, implementation remained inconsistent due to slow and largely manual planning and land administration processes.

He says investments in roads, rail, ports, and energy projects continued in 2025 largely through public/private partnerships and donor funding, but revealed gaps in project management, local content execution, and maintenance culture.

Adewebi expects that 2026 will be a year of measured recovery and consolidation rather than rapid expansion for the industry.

He expects faster regulatory reforms and digitisation, especially in land administration and planning approvals, which may attract more private investment.

Adewebi also predicts stronger professional accountability, deeper technology adoption, and increased focus on affordable housing, modular construction, sustainability, and climate resilience.

According to him, clients and investors will demand greater transparency, speed, and certainty of delivery, rewarding professionals who prioritise competence, ethics and long-term value.

“While challenges will remain, the industry will increasingly favour competence over connections, systems over improvisation, and long-term value over short-term gains,” Adewebi says.

By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe

Nigerian lawyer, Tengi George-Ikoli, makes 2025 women in climate list

Michael Simire
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Nigerian lawyer, Tengi George-Ikoli, makes 2025 women in climate list

A Nigerian lawyer, economist and energy sector analyst, Tengi George-Ikoli, has been named amongst the 2025 list of 101 women in the world unlocking climate and providing sustainable solutions.

Tengi George-Ikoli is the Nigerian Country Manager for the Natural Resource Governance Institute. She has over a decade experience in the governance of oil, gas, and mining governance.

As Country Manager, Tengi leads the Nigeria Programme, providing technical assistance, capacity development, and policy analysis to oil, gas, and mining-focused government institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society, media, and communities as Nigeria navigates its energy transition.

Tengi George-Ikoli
Tengi George-Ikoli

She shapes public discourse and drives policy reforms focused on achieving people-centered energy transitions, catalyzing transition finance, right-sizing gas ambitions, diversifying energy and economy systems, and advancing a just, equitable, and sustainable energy transition.

Prior to working at NRGI, she played a pivotal role in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in her role as Programme Coordinator under the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) targeted at strengthening legal, regulatory frameworks and revenue management, reducing environmental and socioeconomic impacts and enhancing community beneficiation.

Tengi holds an LLM Master’s in Commercial Law from the University of Bristol and a joint honors LLB Law and Economics from the University of Wales. Tengi served on the Global Council; Global Reach Seat of the Resource Justice Network (RJN) formerly Publish What You Pay (PWYP), a civil society movement of more than 1,000 organisations working to improve natural resource governance. She served on the Methane Financing Working Group (MFWG) launched at COP28 and was recognised by Fin-Earth Awards on their 2025 List of 101 Leading Women in Climate and SEVA as one of the Women Leading Nigeria’s Green Energy Transition.

In appreciation, Tengi thanks SEVA Centre for Development Initiatives (SEVA CDI) for the honour of being named among the “Women at the Heart of Nigeria’s Green Transition” alongside Anita Otubu Omiesam Ibanibo making significant strides to drive an #energytransition that is just, equitable and sustainable for the African continent.

She said: “This recognition reminds me why this work matters and why representation and inclusion are essential for the future we hope to build. I consider it a privilege to work on issues that resonate within an organisation Natural Resource Governance Institute whose vision and purpose align with my raison d’etre; to leave the world better than I found it.

“As Nigeria navigates the complex path toward a just, equitable and sustainable energy transition, I am encouraged by the growing visibility and influence of women across sectors. Recently, we’ve seen important conversations about creating more space for women in Parliament and public leadership. These shifts matter. When women participate meaningfully in decision making, from national to resource governance, the outcomes are more representative, resilient and responsive to needs of citizens and the underserved, communities, youth, women and people with disabilities.

“I’m grateful to be part of a network of women whose expertise, courage and leadership continue to shape Africa’s future. Thank you to the colleagues, mentors and partners who walk this journey with me and challenge me to do better every day.

“There is still much work ahead, but there is also momentum. With more women at the table; in Parliament, in boardrooms, and the energy sector, our collective impact will only grow stronger.

Here’s to advancing energy transition in Nigeria and on the continent!”.

Game-changing international ocean treaty comes into force

Michael Simire
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Game-changing international ocean treaty comes into force

Almost two decades in the making, an international agreement to protect and sustainably use marine life in international waters and the international seabed came into force on Saturday, January 17, 2026, marking a major step forward in efforts to ensure the health of ocean ecosystems for decades to come.

Officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the legally binding UN treaty covers the ocean zones that lie beyond national waters (namely, the “high seas”) and the international seabed area. 

These regions make up over two-thirds of the ocean’s surface, representing over 90 per cent of Earth’s habitat by volume. This is because the ocean is vast, and most living space on Earth is underwater.

Sea turtle
A sea turtle

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said that in a world of accelerating crises the agreement “fills a critical governance gap to secure a resilient and productive ocean for all. Let us now move swiftly to universal and full implementation.”

Why it matters

The BBNJ is designed to ensure that the “high seas”  and international seabed are managed sustainably for the benefit of all humanity. 

It is also the first legally binding ocean instrument to provide for inclusive ocean governance, with provisions on the engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and on gender balance.

It is hoped that, once it is fully implemented, the Agreement will make a vital contribution to addressing the so-called “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

Speaking to UN News, Tanzanian diplomat Mzee Ali Haji, who led his country’s negotiation team during BBNJ discussions, said that the agreement marks a major step in the protection of international waters.

“Everyone should bear in mind that there is now control of the activity in the high seas. For instance, when you pollute, you are responsible for your acts”.

The BBNJ strengthens the current international legal framework: it builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – in effect the “constitution for the oceans” – which has set the rules for maritime and seabed exploitation and marine protection since it came into force in 1994.

It also aims to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention, including more detail on how to manage biodiversity and aligns ocean governance with modern challenges like climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the UN-brokered blueprint for solving the world’s most intractable challenges).

What does ‘entry into force’ mean?

After the entry into force, it becomes legally binding for the 81 nations that have ratified it so far, meaning that they agree to put it into effect at the national level.

The treaty specifies that it enters into force this Saturday: 120 days after it was ratified – accepted as legally by binding – by at least 60 countries.

Who has signed up?

The countries that have so far ratified the BBNJ including several major economies, notably China, Germany, Japan, France and Brazil. 

China has a particularly important impact on industries connected to the ocean (such as shipbuilding, aquaculture, fisheries and offshore oil and gas), exporting some $155 billion of ocean-related goods in 2023, according to UN trade agency figures.

Several major economies have not yet ratified

The US, the world’s biggest economy, is one of the top five ranked ocean-related goods exporters ($61 billion). Although the country signed the treaty in 2023, it is not yet ratified, and the Senate has not acted on it.

India, one of the top developing-economy exporters ($19 billion), adopted the treaty in 2024 but domestic legislation on ratification is still pending. While the UK did introduce legislation on the matter in 2025, parliament is still to ratify it.

Russia remains one of the minority of nations that has neither adopted nor ratified the treaty, citing its wish to preserve existing governance frameworks, and ensure that freedom of navigation and shipping in international waters is guaranteed.

Is this a big setback for the treaty?

Despite the reluctance of some major economies to commit fully by ratifying, Mr. Haji is positive about the impact that the BBNJ, in its current state, will have.

 “Developing countries and small island countries need support,” he says. “We expect that, in the future, they will accept this agreement, because it will help them. The protection of the high seas is the responsibility of all of us.”

What happens next?

The door remains open for more countries to ratify, which will make it more effective. 

“When you negotiate something, you can’t get 100 percent people to ratify it or to accept it in one term,” says Mr. Haji. “Some just observe and then, when they see the advantages, they join. I believe that, in the future others will join”.

Apart from universal participation, the key to making the BBNJ work will be implementation, including acting against those who break the rules. 

According to the text of the agreement, the first meeting to monitor progress on both these fronts will take place no later than one year after the Agreement’s entry into force.

By Conor Lennon, UN News

Lagos LCDA deploys PSP to clear indiscriminately dumped refuse on road medians

Michael Simire
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Lagos LCDA deploys PSP to clear indiscriminately dumped refuse on road medians

The Executive Chairman, Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lukmon Agbaje, has deployed private sector waste managers, popularly known as PSP, to clear refuse dumped indiscriminately on the road medians.

The LCDA chairman took the action to address environmental pollution within the council area.

Agbaje said in a statement on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, that the deployment of the external PSP operators, supported with compactors to clear the huge refuse dumped on the road medians, was part of his agenda to ensure environmental sanity in the community.

Refuse
Clearing disposed refuse at Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA)

According to him, the exercise is part of his administration’s ongoing commitment to environmental sanitation, public health and urban renewal.

“The initiative is aimed at restoring the cleanliness and aesthetic value of the environment, while safeguarding residents’ health and well-being.

“Our timely action once again underscores our dedication to providing a clean, healthy and livable Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA.

“The clean-up operation is currently ongoing, and residents are urged to cooperate with the authorities and support the council’s efforts by disposing their waste properly and maintaining a culture of cleanliness across the community,” he said.

The chairman added that efforts had also been put in place to ensure refuse are picked at various households by the waste managers in a timely fashion.

Agbaje warned that no resident would be allowed to dump refuse indiscriminately on the road from now on, saying anyone caught doing so, would be punished in accordance with the law.

“We are appealing to the residents to desist from dumping their refuse on the road, whoever is found guilty would face the wrath of the law.

“We assure you that from now, there will be prompt evacuation of refuse at various households by the waste managers,” Agbaje assured.

By Kazeem Akande

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