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African stakeholders urge Loss and Damage Fund Board to deliver equitable, accessible finance

Michael Simire
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African stakeholders urge Loss and Damage Fund Board to deliver equitable, accessible finance

African climate justice advocates, civil society groups, and policy experts have issued a call to the Co‑Chairs and Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), urging them to ensure that the new global financing mechanism truly responds to the needs of vulnerable communities already suffering the devastating impacts of climate change.

In a consolidated message delivered ahead of key deliberations on the Fund’s operationalisation, the stakeholders stressed that Africa – despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions – continues to bear the brunt of climate‑induced disasters. From prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa to destructive cyclones in Southern Africa and flooding across West and Central Africa, the continent’s losses are mounting, with limited resources to rebuild.

Ibrahima Cheikh Diong
brahima Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD)

The group emphasised that the FRLD must not become “another inaccessible climate finance instrument” but rather a lifeline for frontline communities. They called for direct, simplified, and predictable access to resources, particularly for least developed countries, smallholder farmers, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local governments.

Demand for Adequate and Grant‑Based Funding

A central theme of the message was the need for adequate, new, and additional finance. African representatives argued that the scale of climate‑related loss and damage far exceeds current pledges, warning that without substantial capitalisation, the Fund risks becoming symbolic rather than transformative.

They insisted that all contributions to the FRLD must be grant‑based, not loans, to avoid deepening debt burdens in already vulnerable economies. Several African countries are currently spending more on debt servicing than on climate adaptation or social services, a trend stakeholders described as “morally indefensible” in the context of climate injustice.

The message also urged the Board to adopt innovative and fair sources of finance, including taxes on fossil fuel profits, aviation, maritime transport, and financial transactions – mechanisms long championed by African negotiators as ways to ensure that major emitters and polluters pay their fair share.

Prioritising Country Ownership and Local Realities

Stakeholders stressed that African countries must have a strong voice in shaping how the Fund operates. They called for country‑driven approaches, where national institutions and local actors play a central role in identifying needs, designing interventions, and managing funds.

They warned against overly complex accreditation processes that have historically locked out African institutions from accessing climate finance. Instead, they proposed fit‑for‑purpose access modalities, including enhanced direct access and community‑based channels.

“Communities on the frontlines know their realities best,” the message noted, urging the Board to ensure that resources flow quickly to those who need them most, without bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Transparency, Accountability, and Safeguards

The African coalition also highlighted the importance of strong transparency and accountability frameworks. They called for clear reporting requirements for contributors and recipients, as well as safeguards to ensure that funded projects do not harm people or ecosystems.

They emphasised that monitoring and evaluation systems must capture not only financial flows but also the real‑world impact on vulnerable populations. This, they argued, is essential for building trust and ensuring that the Fund delivers tangible results.

A Call for Urgency and Justice

Throughout the message, African stakeholders underscored the urgency of operationalising the FRLD. With climate impacts intensifying, they warned that delays in disbursement could cost lives, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

They framed the Fund as a matter of climate justice, noting that African communities are paying the price for a crisis they did not create. The message urged the Board to act with compassion, fairness, and a deep sense of responsibility to humanity.

“The world is watching,” the stakeholders concluded. “The decisions made today will determine whether the Fund becomes a beacon of hope for vulnerable nations – or another missed opportunity in the global response to climate change.”

As the FRLD Board continues its work, African voices are making it clear that the continent expects a Fund that is accessible, adequately financed, and grounded in justice. Their message sets a firm benchmark for what meaningful loss and damage finance must look like in practice.

Liberia hosts seed sector investment roundtable to unlock agricultural transformation

Michael Simire
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Liberia hosts seed sector investment roundtable to unlock agricultural transformation

Liberia is taking a bold step toward strengthening its agricultural future with the upcoming Seed Sector Investment Roundtable, a high-level platform designed to mobilise financing, partnerships, and innovation for a resilient and competitive seed industry.

Scheduled for April 30, 2026, at the Royal Grand Hotel, Monrovia, the Roundtable brings together government leaders, development partners, financial institutions, private sector actors, and research organisations to accelerate the implementation of Liberia’s National Seed Roadmap and Investment Plan.

Monrovia
Monrovia, Liberia

A Timely Intervention for Food Security

Across Africa, food systems continue to face mounting pressures from climate change, global conflicts, and economic shocks. Recent disruptions—from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, to the ongoing Middle East crises – have exposed vulnerabilities in agricultural supply chains, particularly access to quality seeds and inputs.

In response, the African Development Bank launched the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF), with the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) playing a central role in delivering solutions at scale.

Through TAAT-led interventions, millions of farmers across the continent have gained access to certified seeds and productivity-enhancing technologies – helping to boost yields, strengthen resilience, and improve livelihoods.

Building on Momentum: The Liberia Seed Roadmap

Liberia’s Seed Roadmap and Investment Plan aligns with the country’s National Agriculture Development Plan (2024–2030) and its broader agricultural transformation agenda.

Developed through a government-led Seed Summit in 2024, the roadmap identifies priority value chains critical to food security and economic growth, including: Rice, Cassava, Maize, Soybean and Aquaculture.

These value chains are central to improving nutrition, strengthening food systems, and supporting industries such as livestock and poultry.

Ambitious Targets for Growth

The roadmap sets out clear production and investment targets:

  1. Rice: Scaling certified seed production to over 6,000 MT by 2030
  2. Cassava: Expanding planting materials to 50 million cuttings
  3. Maize: Increasing production to nearly 190,000 MT
  4. Soybean: Growing a new value chain to support feed and nutrition systems
  5. Aquaculture: Doubling fish production through improved fingerlings

These targets are backed by significant investment needs, creating opportunities for both public and private sector participation.

Strengthening the Seed System

Liberia has already made notable progress through the Operationalisation of the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA), the adoption of ECOWAS-aligned certification systems, the introduction of a national seed quality seal, the registration and training of private seed companies, and the deployment of improved, high-yielding crop varieties.

These efforts are laying the foundation for a transparent, market-driven seed sector capable of meeting national demand and participating in regional trade.

Why the Investment Roundtable Matters

Despite this progress, a major gap remains: coordinated investment. The Seed Sector Investment Roundtable aims to bridge this gap by showcasing investment-ready opportunities, connecting government priorities with private capital, promoting public–private partnerships (PPPs), aligning donor and development finance support and accelerating the commercialisation of seed systems.

The Roundtable will feature diagnostic sessions, investment pitches, deal structuring discussions, and B2B engagements, creating a results-oriented platform for actionable commitments.

Driving Partnerships for Impact

Participants will include Government ministries and national institutions, Development partners such as the World Bank, FAO, IFAD, and the EU, International Financial institutions and commercial banks, private seed companies and agribusinesses, and research organisations and farmer groups.

This diverse coalition reflects a shared commitment to transforming Liberia’s agriculture through collaboration and innovation.

The Roundtable is expected to deliver increased investment in seed systems, expanded access to quality seeds for farmers, stronger public–private partnerships, improved productivity and food security, reduced dependence on food imports, enhanced livelihoods and rural incomes, and a platform for transformation.

The Liberia Seed Sector Investment Roundtable, according to the organisers, represents more than a meeting – it is a strategic turning point.

“By aligning policy, finance, and innovation, Liberia is positioning itself to build a resilient, inclusive, and market-driven agricultural system – one where quality seeds serve as the foundation for food security and economic growth,” they stated.

IITA, Cross River launch training to scale yam seed technologies, agribusiness development

Michael Simire
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IITA, Cross River launch training to scale yam seed technologies, agribusiness development

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in partnership with the Cross River State Government, has commenced a week-long Training of Trainers (ToT) aimed at strengthening yam seed systems, promoting value addition, and advancing agribusiness development across Cross River State.

The training brings together yam farmers, Local Government Directors of Agriculture, State Agriculture Officers, and Extension Agents in a strategic effort to scale best practices in seed technologies and agronomic management.

IITA
Dr Olugboyega Pelemo with the Cross River State, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo during the handing over of the mini-tubers to be distributed to farmers in the state

Designed as the first phase of a broader capacity development initiative, the programme equips participants with the technical knowledge and tools required to drive productivity and efficiency across the yam value chain. Following this phase, participants will implement a structured step-down training model, transferring knowledge and innovations to farmer groups and communities within their respective localities.

Highlighting the importance of capacity building for scaling impact, Field and Seed Systems Specialist under the IITA Yam Improvement Programme, Dr Olugboyega Pelemo, said: “Technologies like the minisett, vine cutting, SAH and mini tubers that we have developed at IITA will only become visible when it is scaled, and scaling can become impactful when the capacity of key actors are developed. At the end of the innovative technologies for seed yam production training, the beneficiaries will transfer the knowledge to the last mile users in their various communities across Cross River State.”

Yam remains a critical staple crop in Nigeria, contributing significantly to food security, rural livelihoods, and income generation. However, challenges related to seed quality, limited access to improved agronomic practices, and weak market linkages continue to constrain productivity.

Through this initiative, IITA and the Cross River State Government aim to address these gaps by strengthening local capacity, enhancing adoption of improved technologies, and fostering agribusiness opportunities for farmers and stakeholders across the state.

Speaking at the training venue, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Cross River State, Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, said: “As part of the agricultural agenda, the government is committed to providing the requisite capacity and resources to support the farmers of Cross River, and this training for yam farmers being facilitated by IITA is the first, as we will be replicating the same initiative across other crops like plantain.”

This collaborative effort underscores a shared commitment to transforming the yam sector through innovation, partnerships, and inclusive knowledge dissemination, ensuring that improved practices reach farmers at scale.

With the IITA Yam Breeding Programme under the leadership of Dr. Asrat Amele, and funded through the RTB Breeding initiatives, the key objective of the one-week training is to scale innovative technological packages otherwise tagged Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) for yam, extend IITA developed yam varieties and to generate Community-based Seed Producers in Cross River State.

Dangote Refinery supplies 95% of Nigeria’s aviation fuel, say airlines operators

Michael Simire
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Dangote Refinery supplies 95% of Nigeria’s aviation fuel, say airlines operators

The Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a critical support for the country’s aviation sector, stating that the facility currently supplies more than 95 percent of Jet A1 fuel consumed nationwide.

AON spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, disclosed this during a television interview, noting that the refinery’s output has helped sustain domestic airline operations amid global supply pressures linked to tensions in the Middle East. He added that airlines are facing significant operational strain as fuel costs rise.

Aviation fuel
Aviation fuel

“It is a matter of fact that over 95 percent of aviation fuel supplied nationwide comes from Dangote refinery. To airline operators in Nigeria, Dangote is not just a refinery, it is a game changer and a lifesaver,” he said.

Okonkwo, however, raised concerns about market practices within the downstream distribution chain, alleging that some marketers are creating artificial scarcity despite available supply from the refinery. He said this has contributed to sharp increases in the price of Jet A1, with operators reporting hikes of up to 300 percent since the onset of the Middle East crisis.

He described the situation as exploitative and suggested the presence of racketeering within the market, noting that prices paid by airlines do not align with depot rates.

“We consider this exploitation. The refinery has not indicated any shortage, yet we are seeing artificial scarcity and significant price hikes,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the AON after a closed-door meeting with the Federal Government, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, described the situation as concerning despite the refinery offering products at comparatively lower rates.

“The truth is that marketers must be called to account to explain how prices rose by as much as 300 percent, even when Dangote’s supply remains the cheapest and some of them source directly from the refinery,” he said. “So, why the astronomical rise?”

Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery has expanded its presence in the international aviation fuel market, with recent data showing exports of approximately 876,000 tonnes of jet fuel to Europe within a short period. This includes about 456,000 tonnes shipped in March and a further 420,000 tonnes exported as of April 20.

The export volumes reflect growing refining capacity and improved logistics, reinforcing Nigeria’s position in the global downstream oil market.

Algeria eliminates trachoma as a public health problem

Michael Simire
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Algeria eliminates trachoma as a public health problem

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has validated Algeria as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the 10th country in WHO’s African Region and the 29th country globally to achieve this significant milestone.

Affecting the eye, trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Globally, the disease remains endemic in 30 countries and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.

Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene
Professor Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene, Algeria’s Minister of Health

According to the latest figures, 97 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness. The disease is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which is spread through contact with infected eye discharge via hands, clothing, or flies. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the inner part of the upper eyelid, turning eyelashes inward to scratch the eyeball: a painful condition known as trachomatous trichiasis that can lead to visual impairment and blindness.

“Algeria’s elimination of trachoma is a historic triumph that connects the past, present, and future of public health, and is rooted in a century-long commitment,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone proves that with sustained political will and on-the-ground leadership from committed health professionals, we can eliminate neglected tropical diseases and build a healthier, more resilient future for all.”

Algeria’s fight against trachoma dates back to the early 20th century with the establishment of the Pasteur Institute of Algeria in 1909. After independence, Algerian physicians, led by Prof Mohamed Aouchiche, took charge of this work. Their efforts were strengthened by the creation of a national public healthcare system that began to provide services free of charge to patients in 1974.

For decades, Algeria implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease (“trachomatous trichiasis”, TT), conducting mass administration of antibiotic treatment, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness and personal hygiene, as well as improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.

To accelerate trachoma elimination, Algeria implemented a three-year strategy in 2013–2015 and established a National Expert Committee. The focus was on eliminating trachoma in 12 southern wilayas (provinces), including Adrar, Laghouat, Biskra, Béchar, Tamanrasset, Ouargla, El Bayadh, Illizi, Tindouf, El Oued, Naama, and Ghardaïa, where the disease remained a public health problem.

WHO-compliant surveys conducted in 2022 confirmed that the elimination threshold for active trachoma was achieved in all areas, and the TT threshold was achieved in all but three areas. In those three areas, full geographic coverage with door-to-door screening and management of TT cases was subsequently carried out to ensure TT elimination was attained.

In December 2025, the Ministry of Health of Algeria compiled and submitted a dossier in which evidence was provided that the country meets the criteria set by WHO for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. The existence of a well-functioning school health system, a health information system, broad access to water and sanitation, and extensive coverage of specialized eye care throughout the country are notable strengths, as they provide assurance for the post-validation period in the country.

“Trachoma devastates individuals and communities profoundly, with blindness or visual impairment causing painful economic and livelihood loss. The milestone by Algeria is a major achievement that transforms the health and well-being of children, women and entire families and demonstrates that eliminating neglected tropical diseases is possible with consistent and coordinated efforts,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

WHO recommends that surveillance continues even after validation of the elimination, with the aim of closely monitoring populations in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence. WHO is currently supporting Algeria’s health authorities in this endeavour.

“WHO’s validation marks the culmination of sustained efforts, exemplary multisectoral coordination, and enduring commitment. It attests to our country’s capacity to meet the most rigorous public health standards – standards grounded in prevention, equitable access to care, and the improvement of living conditions,” said Professor Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene, Minister of Health.

“This achievement represents a collective victory – the fruit of nearly fifty years of national mobilisation – and underscores the Algerian State’s unwavering commitment to the health of its population. This success was made possible through the mobilisation of all stakeholders, the dedication of health professionals, the support of key partners, and the technical assistance of the WHO.”

AGN Chair echoes need for Africa to translate strong climate negotiating positions into powerful outcomes

Michael Simire
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AGN Chair echoes need for Africa to translate strong climate negotiating positions into powerful outcomes

Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, has acknowledged Africa’s strong negotiating positions in the global climate change talks.

He, however, says the continent needs to translate these positions into outcomes that are financed, implemented, and felt on the ground.

AU Summit
Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, at the AU Summit

“Africa must move from positions to power,” he said while speaking at the Pre-SB64 Strategy Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, convened by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES).

“Climate finance remains the central issue. The gap between commitments and delivery is still too wide. Africa must approach this with a stronger, more coordinated strategy”.

The meeting ahead of the Bonn Climate Conference builds directly on the AGN Strategic Session recently held in Accra, where African interest groups came together as a continent to reflect, align, and set direction for the next phase of their work.

“We recognised that, to be effective externally, we must strengthen our internal coordination, technical depth, and ability to act as a unified group. That is the foundation for everything else,” said the AGN Chair.

Dr. Amoah acknowledged the important role AGNES continues to play in strengthening Africa’s technical and negotiation capacity, emphasising that the platform has become central to how Africa prepares, aligns, and engages effectively in the UNFCCC process.

“We are coming out of COP30 with important outcomes that now shape our work. The adoption of the Belém Gender Action Plan gives us a clear framework to advance gender-responsive climate action. At the same time, the work on agriculture under the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work continues to highlight the urgency of implementation, especially for Africa’s food systems and livelihoods.

“And alongside this, Article 6 is opening new opportunities to connect climate action with economic value, including for our communities but one thing we must be careful about is this – these are not separate conversations,” he stated.

He also emphasised that agriculture, gender, finance, and just transition must come together in a coherent African approach, adding that implementation does not happen in silos.

“As we look ahead to SB64, our task is straightforward. We must move beyond restating principles and begin to define how things will work: How implementation will happen on the ground. How will finance be accessed? And how our national systems will deliver results. And we must do this with a clear and united African voice.

“We must keep our eyes on what lies ahead. With COP32 to be hosted in Africa, we have a real opportunity to shape the global climate agenda from our own context. That opportunity will not organize itself. We must prepare for it deliberately, and that preparation starts here,” Dr. Amoah said.

Australia’s Counsellor for Climate Change (Africa), Liam Cosgrave, discussed climate change challenges and strategies for engagement across Africa in the lead-up to COP31.

Every year, Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), together with its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, convene to assess progress in the global response to climate change.

These sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies and the Conference of the Parties provide a platform for advancing negotiations, recommending decisions, and strengthening implementation of agreed outcomes.

The Pre-SB64 AGNES Strategy Meeting was therefore convened at a critical point in the broader climate negotiation process.

“Africa is not just participating in this process. Africa is helping to define what implementation should look like in real terms, grounded in development, equity, and justice. Our task now is to ensure that this is reflected in the outcomes we negotiate,” the AGN Chair noted.

By Kofi Adu Domfeh

Stakeholders back Lagos toilet drive, stress sustainability

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders back Lagos toilet drive, stress sustainability

Stakeholders have described the provision of public toilets by the Lagos State Government as a positive step toward ending open defecation.

The stakeholders spoke in separate interviews on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Lagos.

Mr. Kolawole Banwo, Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communications, WaterAid Nigeria, said the government must provide adequate alternatives before enforcing sanctions.

Tokunbo Wahab
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab

Banwo said the initiative would only succeed if facilities were functional, accessible and properly maintained.

He stressed the need for continuous water supply, describing toilets without water as ineffective and unusable.

Banwo also called for inclusive designs to ensure access for persons with disabilities, as well as safety, privacy and secure locks, especially for women.

According to him, cleanliness and regular maintenance would determine public acceptance and usage.

He warned that dirty or poorly managed toilets could discourage use, even if access was free.

Banwo urged provision of handwashing facilities to promote hygiene and prevent disease.

He also called for strategic siting of toilets in easily accessible locations to encourage usage.

He urged journalists to monitor the condition of the facilities and hold authorities accountable.

Also speaking, Mr. Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), described the installation of over 1,000 public toilets as commendable.

Jakpor urged banks and other public institutions to allow access to their toilets, in line with government recommendations.

He, however, emphasised the need for proper monitoring and regular disinfection to prevent the facilities from becoming health hazards.

Also, Mr. Michael Simire, the Executive Director of EnviroNews Advocacy & Campaigns for Sustainability (Endvocas), welcomed the initiative.

Simire said the move signalled recognition of the scale of sanitation challenges in densely populated communities.

He, however, stressed that infrastructure alone would not end open defecation.

According to him, toilets must be accessible and affordable, especially in markets, motor parks, waterfronts and informal settlements.

He called for sustainable maintenance frameworks, including community oversight and private sector participation.

Simire emphasised the need for public education and behavioural change to promote hygiene and environmental responsibility.

He added that enforcement of sanitation laws must be fair and humane, noting that infrastructure should precede punitive measures.

He also urged government to publish data on the number, location and operational status of public toilets for transparency.

Simire said the initiative, if properly implemented, would significantly improve sanitation, public health and human dignity.

The Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, had on Saturday, remarked that the state had so far installed about 1,710 toilet across the state.

Wahab said the initiative was part of a robust strategy of the government to put an end to open defecation in the state.

By Fabian Ekeruche

Wildlife trafficking: NESREA, partners apprehend wanted suspect

Michael Simire
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Wildlife trafficking: NESREA, partners apprehend wanted suspect

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has apprehended a suspected wildlife trafficker, Shamsideen Abubakar, after five years on the run.

Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Abuja.

Ejiofor said the arrest was carried out in a joint operation involving NESREA, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).

Pangolin scales
Bags of pangolin scales siezed from wildlife traffikers

According to her, Abubakar had previously been declared wanted by the Federal High Court in Lagos prior to his arrest.

She said Abubakar, identified as a key figure in a wildlife trafficking network, had been on the run since September 2021.

Ejiofor explained that a coordinated operation by the WJC and NCS earlier led to the arrest of his associates, Sunday Ebenyi and Salif Sandwidi.

She added that the operation also resulted in the seizure of 1,009.5 kilogrammes of pangolin scales in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

Ejiofor said Abubakar’s arrest came five years after his involvement in large-scale wildlife trafficking and nearly two years after he was officially declared wanted by the Federal High Court.

She said the development demonstrates the commitment of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the WJC to sustained, intelligence-driven investigations.

“This arrest demonstrates the determination of the Nigerian Government and its partners to rid the country of illegal wildlife traffickers and reinforces its zero-tolerance for crimes that threaten biodiversity and violate national and international laws.

“It further disrupts already weakened criminal networks operating within Nigeria and across borders,” she said.

Ejiofor added that the arrest sends a strong signal to wildlife trafficking networks that arrest warrants would be rigorously enforced.

Reacting to the development, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, said the agency remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria is not a safe haven for wildlife crime.

“The agency and its partners will pursue, arrest, and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.

“We remain resolute and will ensure that every seizure, every arrest, and every conviction is pursued with unrelenting commitment until this illicit trade is eradicated.

“This success is the result of strategic partnerships, intelligence sharing, and joint enforcement operations.

“We commend our partners and other sister agencies, while urging the public to report suspicious activities. We also warn intending traffickers that the era of impunity is over,” Barikor said.

By Doris Esa

Group clamours outright gas flare ban, says penalties not effective

Michael Simire
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Group clamours outright gas flare ban, says penalties not effective

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has urged the Nigerian government to ban gas flaring outright, arguing that the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta are very comfortable paying the meagre penalties for flaring rather than stop the practice. 

RDI position comes on the heels of recent data from the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor spanning the period between March 2012 and 2025 which showed that oil companies operating in Nigeria paid an estimated $646 million in gas flaring penalties in 2025, the highest payments in the last five years. 

Gas flaring
Gas flaring

According to the data, the all-time high penalties payable was $934 million when oil companies in the country flared gas valued at $1.6 billion in 2018. After that there was a dip from 2020 till 2022. The surge in the flares began again in 2023.  

The data shows that flared gas was 349.3 million Standard Cubic Foot (SCF) in 2020. It went down to 264.6 million scf in 2021 and 230.1 million scf in 2022, before rising again to 278.3 million scf in 2023 and 301.3 million scf in 2024.

In a statement issued in Lagos, RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, said: “The increase in payment of the penalties should not be viewed in terms of revenue as the Nigerian government wants us to see it. It should not be a cause for celebration. What it shows is that the oil companies are very comfortable paying what the government portrays as humungous sums rather than saving our environment and people from the toxic emissions.” 

Jakpor maintained that for the polluting oil companies the penalties at $2.00 for 1,000 scf still remains a pat on the back, even as he added that after decades of gas flare-out deadline breaches since 1984 which should have attracted very weighty sanctions the government has capitulated to a position of financialisation of pollution. 

The RDI helmsman argued that successive governments have failed to ask the crucial question which revolves around the cost to the health of the people and their environment and Nigeria’s contribution to climate change through unending emissions from the gas flare stacks.

“Communities living side by side these polluting facilities carry the biggest burdens in form of constant heat, acid rain, poor farm yields, and the health impacts of inhaling methane and other toxic chemicals from the flare sites. That should be the biggest worry of our government instead of so-called revenue.”

He said that the position of RDI is that in the present circumstances when rising payment of flares are celebrated, the government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2060 is questionable, insisting that the only solution is to stop gas flaring in entirety. 

“A genuine and just energy transition must be built on cutting emission at source rather than encouraging the fossil fuels industry to continue business as usual. An end to gas flaring is what we want to celebrate, not increased revenue from penalties,” he argued.

UNESCO sites offer a lifeline to biodiversity – Report

Michael Simire
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UNESCO sites offer a lifeline to biodiversity – Report

UNESCO’s latest report highlights the extraordinary contribution of its sites for both people and nature. While global wildlife populations have declined by 73% since 1970, those within UNESCO-protected areas have remained comparatively stable. These sites represent over 1,000 languages, and a quarter of them overlap with Indigenous Peoples’ territories.

“People and Nature in UNESCO-Designated Sites: Global and Local Contributions” is the first report to examine all UNESCO categories – World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks – as a single network of over 2,260 sites covering more than 13 million km², an area larger than China and India combined.

Khaled El-Enany
Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General

“The findings are clear: UNESCO sites are delivering for both people and nature. Inside these territories, communities thrive, humanity’s heritage endures, and biodiversity is holding on while it collapses elsewhere. By measuring the global value and contributions of these sites, this report reveals what we stand to lose if they are not prioritised.

“It is an urgent call to scale ambition, recognising UNESCO sites as strategic assets in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, and investing now to protect ecosystems, cultures, and livelihoods for generations to come,” said Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General.

A vital network under growing pressure

UNESCO-designated sites encompass more than 60% of globally mapped species, with around 40% of these found nowhere else on Earth, the report shows. These sites also store an estimated 240 gigatons of carbon, equivalent to nearly two decades of current global emissions if released, and each year their forests alone account for approximately 15% of the carbon absorbed by forests worldwide.

Yet despite their global significance, these sites are under mounting pressure. Nearly 90% of sites face high levels of environmental stress, and climate-related hazards have increased by 40% in just the last decade. More than one in four UNESCO-designated sites could reach critical tipping points by 2050, with potentially irreversible impacts. Without stronger action, risks include the disappearance of glaciers, coral reef collapse, species displacement, increasing water stress, and forests turning from carbon sinks into carbon sources.

People and livelihoods at the heart of these landscapes

The report also highlights the profound connection of nature and communities in these environments. Together, these sites are home to nearly 900 million people, roughly 10% of the global population. Over 1,000 languages are documented across UNESCO-designated sites, and at least 25% encompass Indigenous Peoples’ lands and territories, rising to nearly 50% in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Overlaying economic output with UNESCO sites and their surrounding areas, the report finds that around 10% of global GDP is generated in these zones.

Acting now can still make a measurable difference

The report finds that action taken today can significantly reduce future risks: every 1°C of warming avoided could halve the number of UNESCO sites exposed to major disruption by the end of the century. These areas also harbour untapped potential for climate policy: while around 80% of national biodiversity plans include UNESCO sites, only 5% of national climate plans do so.

The report calls for scaling up action through four priorities: restoring ecosystems to rebuild resilience; developing sustainably through increased transboundary cooperation; further integrating UNESCO-designated sites into global climate plans; and governing more inclusively with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

UNESCO sites are worth investing in

UNESCO-designated sites demonstrate that people and nature can thrive together. From wildlife populations holding stable while the rest of the world’s decline, to conservation successes like the recovery of mountain gorillas in areas affected by armed conflict, these places show what is possible when protection is sustained over time and supported by local communities.

The findings of this report, drawing on partnerships with more than 20 leading research institutions worldwide, highlight the need to scale that ambition, recognising UNESCO-designated not only as conservation areas but also as strategic assets for addressing global environmental and societal challenges. Investing in their protection today means safeguarding irreplaceable ecosystems, living cultures, and the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people for generations to come.

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