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Experts lead call for reforms, private sector investment to strengthen Nigeria’s climate resilience

Michael Simire
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Experts lead call for reforms, private sector investment to strengthen Nigeria’s climate resilience

Climate experts, policymakers, scholars, and civil society actors gathered at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja from May 22 to 23, 2025, for a national workshop focused on scaling up climate resilience and promoting nature-based solutions across Nigerian communities.

NEST
Some participants at the national climate change workshop in Abuja

In his welcome address, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), set the tone for the event. “We must not be seen to be talking too much but doing too little,” he cautioned, emphasising the need for action over rhetoric. He also reflected on NEST’s 38-year legacy in environmental advocacy and sustainable development.

Nwajiuba expressed appreciation to the workshop’s sponsors – the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) – and acknowledged the participation of key stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and various development partners.

The workshop also served as a curtain-raiser for NEST’s two-day national conference, which centred on strengthening inclusive advocacy, enhancing community resilience, and promoting environmental stewardship across Nigeria’s diverse landscapes.

Representing the Minister of Environment, Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to initiatives aligned with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

Speaking at the NEST 2025 Conference, Dr. Abiola-Awe delivered a policy address on “The NASPA-CCN and the Climate Change Act,” stressing the urgency of proactive adaptation measures to safeguard Nigeria’s ecosystems and economic stability.

“Climate change is a global challenge with local consequences,” she said. “We must build adaptive capacity now, especially for the most vulnerable populations.”

She traced Nigeria’s climate policy journey from the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) in 2011 to the enactment of the Climate Change Act in 2021, which now serves as the nation’s legal anchor for climate action. With support from the Green Climate Fund, she added that the Ministry has developed a draft National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and conducted vulnerability assessments to identify climate hotspots across the country.

“Incorporating conflict sensitivity into climate planning is essential,” she noted, highlighting the links between resource scarcity and insecurity in some regions.

Commending NEST’s unwavering commitment, she reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to drive inclusive, climate-resilient development through strategic partnerships.

“As we look to the future,” she concluded, “let us plan intentionally and empower communities to adapt to uncertainty. Together, we can build a sustainable Nigeria that leaves no one behind.”

In his keynote address, Professor Haruna Kuje Ayuba, Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University and Chairman of the Occasion, welcomed participants and offered a deep reflection on NEST’s legacy.

“It is an honour to welcome you all to this conference organised by the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST),” he began. “For over 37 years, NEST has been a key catalyst in promoting climate change awareness, advocacy, and action within Nigeria’s environmental agenda. Its work has helped shape policies, mobilise communities, and foster a culture of environmental responsibility.”

He noted that NEST’s extensive research on climate impacts in Nigeria led to the formulation of the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change in Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) in 2012, a pivotal document that laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation.

“As a watchdog,” Professor Ayuba continued, “NEST has monitored environmental policies, projects, and practices, holding both government and corporate entities accountable for their roles in sustainability. Through advocacy and research, it contributed to the development of Nigeria’s legal frameworks on climate change, notably the enactment of the Climate Change Act in 2021 and other institutional reforms.”

Speaking on the conference theme – “From NASPA-CCN to Climate Change Act in Nigeria: Mapping the Pathway Beyond 2030 Towards Sustainable Development in Nigeria” – Professor Ayuba described the theme as a testament to Nigeria’s evolving climate commitment.

“This journey, from the voluntary framework of NASPA-CCN to a binding legal structure under the Climate Change Act, illustrates a progressive dedication to institutionalising climate action.”

He observed that Nigeria has made critical milestones in its climate journey: from signing the Paris Agreement in 2015 to submitting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and formulating its Climate Finance Strategy (2018) and National Climate Change Policy (2021). These efforts culminated in the Climate Change Act, which now provides a comprehensive legal foundation for climate governance.

“However, legislation is only the beginning,” Professor Ayuba emphasised. “The real work lies in implementation, stakeholder engagement, and aligning climate policies with national development priorities.”

He further urged that as Nigeria looks beyond 2030, it must map a clear, inclusive, and actionable pathway, integrating climate considerations into agriculture, energy, urban development, and health sectors. “Our goal must be to harness this momentum and build a future where economic growth complements environmental sustainability.”

Professor Ayuba called for united action across government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. “Together, we can translate policies into impactful actions that secure Nigeria’s climate resilience and sustainable development for generations to come.”

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, who was represented by Dr. Wasiu Adedokun, commended the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST) for its longstanding commitment to promoting climate-smart agriculture. He particularly praised NEST’s efforts in equipping farmers with adaptive techniques to withstand erratic weather patterns and environmental stressors.

Dr. Wasiu also acknowledged the outstanding contributions of Emeritus Professor David Okali, immediate past Chairman of the NEST Board, describing him as a “trailblazer whose scholarly work and leadership have left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s environmental governance and national development.”

In a goodwill message delivered at the conference, Sam Onuigbo, a key figure in Nigeria’s climate policy landscape and sponsor of the Climate Change Act 2021, underscored the importance of education in climate adaptation efforts. He called on all stakeholders, especially the education sector, to integrate climate change lessons into curricula at all levels of schooling, stressing that environmental literacy is essential for building long-term resilience and shaping future leaders capable of responding to climate realities.

Delivering a keynote titled “NEST and Climate Change Governance in Nigeria: Towards and Beyond 2030,” Dr Peter Tarfa, former Director of the Department of Climate Change, described climate change as a serious threat to Nigeria’s socio-economic stability. He warned that without effective governance, the country risks significant developmental setbacks.

“Effective governance is not limited to government alone but involves a broad framework of state and non-state actors,” he noted.

Dr Tarfa outlined the major players in Nigeria’s climate architecture – government agencies, non-governmental organisations, academia, the media, and international partners – emphasising the need for collaborative synergy.

He spotlighted the increasing toll of climate-related impacts, from desertification in the North to sea-level rise in the South, with cascading effects on agriculture, public health, and national security.

Nigeria’s climate governance framework, he said, must integrate policy, legal, and institutional components. “Legislation provides the regulatory tools; institutions offer the technical backbone. The real challenge lies in execution.”

Dr Tarfa praised NEST’s historical contributions, especially the development of NASPA-CCN, which has guided subsequent national climate strategies.

On Nigeria’s 2030 climate targets, he reaffirmed the commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent unconditionally and 47 per cent conditionally. Post-2030 priorities, he added, should include mainstreaming climate concerns into national planning, fostering innovation, and expanding access to climate finance.

He also identified persistent challenges such as weak institutional capacity, poor inter-agency coordination, inadequate funding, and limited public awareness. “Nigeria has the frameworks,” he stressed, “but our Achilles’ heel is implementation.”

A compelling intervention came from Dr E. D. Oruonye of Taraba State University, who delivered a paper on the role of the private sector in financing climate resilience beyond 2030. He noted Nigeria’s acute vulnerability to climate shocks and emphasised the need to diversify sources of climate finance.

While acknowledging progress since NASPA-CCN and the passage of the 2021 Climate Change Act, Oruonye identified the absence of robust financial mechanisms as a major obstacle. “Nigeria needs over $177 billion by 2030 to meet its climate goals,” he said, citing United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates.

He observed that less than 20 per cent of climate finance inflows between 2015 and 2020 came from domestic private sources – a critical shortfall. “Without deliberate efforts to harness private capital, our ambitions will remain mere intentions,” he warned.

Key barriers to private sector engagement, he explained, include limited access to finance, policy inconsistency, weak project pipelines, and insufficient institutional capacity. Regulatory uncertainty and the absence of reliable climate risk data further deter investment.

Oruonye advocated for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a sustainable pathway forward, suggesting that strategic incentives and legal safeguards could unlock investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy.

He also proposed the establishment of a climate finance platform to pool and de-risk private capital for both adaptation and mitigation projects. “We must move from planning to pipeline,” he urged.

Delivering another keynote titled “The Impact of Livelihood Diversification on Climate Change Resilience among Rural Households in Kebbi State,” agricultural economist T. A. Manga described climate change as “arguably the most significant environmental challenge of the 21st century,” with sweeping effects on food security, water access, and livelihoods.

Manga explained that Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on climate-sensitive sectors. In Kebbi, prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall have devastated farming and fishing communities.

“Rural households are increasingly turning to diversified livelihoods to cope with climate stressors,” he noted. He defined livelihood diversification as the development of multiple income streams and social networks that strengthen resilience to climate shocks.

His research found that households with varied income sources were more food-secure and financially stable. He called for enhanced rural credit access, low-interest loans, and infrastructure investments in roads, water, electricity, and ICT to foster non-farm income opportunities.

He also presented findings from a separate study on “Climate-Proofing Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security in Southern Taraba.” With over 706 of Nigeria’s rural population reliant on agriculture, he said, the sector now faces serious threats from flooding, temperature rise, and rainfall irregularities.

“These climatic threats are undermining traditional farming systems,” he warned, advocating for the adoption of drought-tolerant crops, conservation agriculture, and modern irrigation technologies.

Manga called for stronger adaptation policies, institutional coordination, and targeted support for smallholder farmers through financial assistance, research investments, and capacity building.

Participants from state environment ministries, community-based organisations, and the media discussed nature-based solutions spearheaded by local communities. Case studies from Abia and Taraba states showcased successful initiatives in afforestation, wetland restoration, and climate-smart agriculture.

Professor Emma Nzegbule, NEST’s Project Coordinator, outlined implementation strategies for ongoing projects funded by ACSEA and PACJA. Nzegbule urged state governments and NGOs to replicate models with demonstrated impact.

Professor Nwajiuba concluded the day’s deliberations with a rallying call for unity and innovation. “We must move from events to enduring impact. Every action count,” he said.

The conference brought together researchers, civil society actors, development partners, and government officials under a shared goal: to build a climate-resilient Nigeria. As the nation grapples with the escalating realities of climate change, the message from this gathering was clear – climate governance is no longer optional. It is imperative.


By Einstein Chukwuu

Govt moves to deepen Lekki channel beyond 16.5 metres 

Michael Simire
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Govt moves to deepen Lekki channel beyond 16.5 metres 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved maintenance dredging of the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport channel from 16.5 metres to 17 metres, targeting 19 metres eventually.

Lekki Port
Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Dr Abubakar Dantsoho (3rd Right), Managing Director Lekki Port Mr Qiang Wang (1st Left), Board Chairman Lekki Port, Mr Abiodun Dabiri (1st Right) and Executive Director Finance & Administration NPA, Vivian Richard-Edet (2nd Right) when the NPA Management team paid performance enhancement visit to Lekki Deep Seaport on Saturday

Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 25, 2025, by Mr. Okechukwu Onyemekara, General Manager, Communication and Strategy, after a weekend visit.

Dantsoho encouraged the Lekki Port management to strengthen transshipment operations to support neighbouring landlocked countries.

He said the increase in cargo throughput at the port was highly encouraging and showed great potential for further growth.

Lekki’s ability to berth super post-Panamax vessels significantly improves cargo and vessel turnaround times, boosting Nigeria’s export competitiveness under Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The port’s efficiency supports growing transshipment volumes and helps neighbouring countries meet maritime demands while enhancing NPA’s scale-efficiency objectives.

This rising competitiveness encourages higher demand, strengthens forex inflows, and improves Nigeria’s annual trade surplus.

Dantsoho expressed hope that the port’s export volumes would soon double or even triple, supporting national economic targets.

He reaffirmed the NPA’s and Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining this throughput growth and supporting port operations.

Dantsoho added that Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had approved dredging based on NPA’s recommendation.

He said NPA signed a strategic partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to execute dredging for trade facilitation.

The government also seeks to deepen ties with CHEC and strengthen cooperation to expand Nigeria’s trade volumes through Lekki Port.

Dantsoho described Lekki Port as Nigeria’s newest, and expected it to embody all features of a modern, world-class port facility.

He acknowledged the port’s readiness for a port community system, a key requirement for integrating into the National Single Window.

Dantsoho stressed the need for full technology deployment across all ports and terminals to enhance operational efficiency.

He stated that a channel survey contract had been awarded to meet international navigation and port standards.

This, he said, would improve channel management around Lekki Port and support operational optimisation.

Dantsoho noted that many port efficiency tools – including Navigational Buoys and Tugboats – are dollar-priced and must be continually procured.

He emphasised the need for more revenue to purchase such equipment and ensure competitive salaries for operating personnel.

Once the Single Window system is fully deployed, with 95 per cent paperless processes, port revenues are expected to triple.

Electronic transactions will eliminate unofficial payments, making port operations more transparent and efficient.

At that stage, Dantsoho said, NPA could consider reducing Ship Dues to support shipping businesses.

He praised Lekki Deep Seaport for maintaining excellent performance and pledged continued support to maximise its potential.

Earlier, Managing Director of Lekki Port, Wang Qiang, submitted policy support requests to the NPA leadership.

He called for tariff adjustments to reflect service costs and inflation, and lower ship dues for large vessels and feeders.

Qiang also requested night pilotage services to enable 24/7 operations and improve turnaround time for vessels.

During his visit, Dantsoho also toured the $19.5 billion Dangote Petrochemicals Refinery facility.

By Aisha Cole

Flooding: South-South states take precautionary measures as NiMet predicts heavy rainfall

Michael Simire
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Flooding: South-South states take precautionary measures as NiMet predicts heavy rainfall

Governments in the South-South region, particularly Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, are stepping up precautionary measures to avert widespread flooding and mitigate its impact on vulnerable communities.

Flood
Flooded street at Amarata in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

The measures are sequel to warning issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that heavy rainfall might cause severe flooding across 30 states.

In Edo, the Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA) has ramped up mitigation efforts in flood-prone areas such as Ekenwan Road, Uselu, Upper Mission Extension, and Auchi.

According to the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Momoh, desilting of major drainage channels and sensitisation campaigns have commenced to ensure water flows freely during the peak of the raining season.

“We are working closely with the state’s Ministry of Environment, local authorities, and community leaders to curtail early warning and educate residents on evacuation protocols,” Momoh said.

In a complementary effort, the state has unveiled a six-month work plan under the €175 million EIB-funded Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

The initiative targets gully erosion, land degradation, and flood vulnerability across Edo.

Momoh noted that 10 per cent of the fund would be accessible during the initial phase, provided benefiting states meet key administrative benchmarks.

He said the state government has committed N500 million in counterpart funding to fast-track implementation.

In Delta, the state government has set up Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and activated its flood disaster preparedness mechanism due to the state coastal nature.

The Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr. Jamani Ejiro, emphasised that the indiscriminate dumping of waste and selling of water channels for building purposes were the major cause of flooding in the metropolis.

“We urge our residents to see their environment as their property and protect it. Keep drains clean and do not build on waterways,” he appealed.

To bolster preparedness, the state has set up IDP camps across key flood-prone localities in Isoko North, Bomadi, Ughelli South, and Asaba.

A Flood Disaster Management Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government has also been activated, comprising commissioners and heads of emergency response agencies.

“We are prepared. Delta is a floodplain and we always take precautionary steps even before NiMet’s seasonal predictions,” Ejiro added.

In Bayelsa, residents call for proactive action as flood fears mount. In 2022, floods displaced over 1.3 million people as such anxiety is growing as water levels rise in the Epie Creek and River Nun.

Residents of flood-prone areas in Yenagoa such as Azikoro, Ekeki, Swali, and Amarata are urging the state government to act swiftly.

Environmentalists like Mr. Jude Jack and Godwin Ekubo appealed for stricter waste management laws and proactive drainage clearing.

They warned that plastics and construction materials blocking gutters were compounding the flooding risk.

Responding to these concerns, Mr. Omuso Omuso, Director General of Flood and Erosion Control in the state, said that the “Prosperity Administration” in Bayelsa had instituted systematic cleaning of drainages and is committed to reducing the impact of floods.

“We cannot eliminate flooding completely due to our geographic location, but we can minimise its damage through preparedness and coordinated response,” Omuso said.

He added that the newly created flood control agency, in collaboration with the Ministries of Works and Environment, were already operational and addressing high-risk zones.

Meanwhile, across all three states, a common message resonates: flood prevention is a shared responsibility.

Governments are urging residents to support their efforts by maintaining clean environments, adhering to building regulations, and responding swiftly to relocation advisories when necessary.

With rainfall intensifying in the coming weeks, the effectiveness of these measures will be tested.

However, early signs show a shift towards more proactive and coordinated flood management across Nigeria’s South-South region.

Cross River wins N3m ECPS prize to support Nigeria’s green economy initiative

Michael Simire
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Cross River wins N3m ECPS prize to support Nigeria’s green economy initiative

Esuk Otu community in Cross River State, Nigeria’s South-South region, has been announced the run-off winner of the Empower Communities for Plastic Sustainability (ECPS) contest, defeating eight other communities from three states to receive the prize of N3 million.

YASIF
Participants at the Empower Communities for Plastic Sustainability (ECPS) community pitching and award event hosted by YASIF in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The judges also declared Sharifai Kano Municipal, in Kano State, the winner of the second category, taking home a total of N1.5 million during an event organised by the Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF) on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Abuja.

The Akum Shango community, in Niger State, took third place and took home N700,000.

The occasion brought together stakeholders from the sustainability industry, including government officials from the Ministry of Environment, civil society organisations (CSOs), and development agencies, as well as media personalities, to discuss how to best address Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis.

With the event’s theme focused on how to empower rural people for a green economy, the keynote speaker, Mrs. Rita Idehai, founder and executive director of Ecobater, stressed the importance of plastic solutions at the intersection of livelihood and sustainability. It also featured a roundtable panel discussion with Mr. Stephen Agugua, representing the International Labour Organisation (ILO); Mrs. Ibironke Favour, national coordinator of UNDP GEF SGP; and Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), who deliberated on how to bridge grassroots action and policy to advance sustainable plastic solutions in Nigeria and beyond.

According to Lauretta Jimba, YASIF’s programmes and training manager, the ECPS project was launched by her organisation with support from the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) to demonstrate YASIF Nigeria believes that real climate action starts at the local level. Additionally, it seeks to establish the groundwork for the development of a grassroots movement that will generate innovative solutions to the nation’s plastic waste problem.

She continued by explaining that, as part of her mission to create a cleaner and greener environment, YASIF has trained more than 1,200 women and young persons, as well as people with disabilities, on how to creatively repurpose plastic and non-biodegradable waste, like old tyres, water sachets, PET bottles, and nylons, into useful items for homes, schools, recreation centres, and workplaces.

There is no doubt that a true plastic sustainability solution is impossible without human engagement. Jimba hinted that YASIF Nigeria’s decision to introduce the ECPS project was influenced in part by this understanding, which demonstrates the organisation’s conviction that effective climate action begins at the grassroots level.

“By equipping people with the tools and knowledge to act sustainably, we are not only protecting the environment but also driving economic growth and promoting social inclusion,” stated the YASIF programmes and training manager.

Other speakers who spoke at the parley called on the government to integrate informal waste sectors, particularly women and young people, to accelerate more opportunities in the plastic waste sector.

Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, founder and global lead of the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), emphasised the need for collaborating and empowering individuals in environmental health.

She stated that her organisation trained, certified, and registered waste pickers in partnership with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the federal ministry of environment in an attempt to help address the pollution caused by plastic waste.

“So for me, learning to cooperate is very important. As you go along your way, some of us are working in that area. I just wanted to share this story with you so that it can help you to also continue your work,” the WEP boss asserts.

In her remarks, deputy director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division, Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Falmata Bukar, underscores the urgency of addressing the problem of plastic pollution across the country.

 Bukar, who was represented at the event by assistant chief chemical engineer, Kalu Lawrence Okechukwu, recalled that plastic pollution has raised global concerns due to its inimical impacts on the ecosystem.

She pledged that the ministry would support any initiative to address the country’s poor plastic waste management, particularly its partnership with YASIF Nigeria through essential programmes to increase sustainable development education and encourage communities to embrace inclusive and participatory practices that lessen plastic pollution.

The deputy director also praised YASIF Nigeria’s community empowerment programme as a great way to combat poverty and plastic waste.

In actuality, plastic pollution continues to be a significant environmental problem that hinders Nigeria’s socioeconomic development. According to several studies, the nation is a hotspot for plastic pollution, with an annual emission rate of 3.5 million tonnes, second only to India.

The ECPS initiative, which was initiated by YASIF, is unquestionably one of the options if the country is to address this challenge; it is a glaring example of how “a waste-free, greener Nigeria is possible” when everyone works together.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

Africa Day 2025: Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations

Michael Simire
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Africa Day 2025: Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations

May 25 every year is marked as Africa Day, a day of celebration of African identity, resilience, and progress. It is a day to reflect on the continent’s achievements, address ongoing challenges, and foster unity and pride among Africans globally.

Africa Day 2025
Africa Day Cultural celebration In Abuja Nigeria

One of the biggest challenges facing Africa today 62 years after the Organisation of Africa Union now African Union was formed apart from historical injustices, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, and the ongoing legacies of exploitation, is energy poverty and climate injustice.

Africa is rich in sunlight, wind, and potential. Yet over 600 million people still live without electricity. Our energy systems were never built to serve the people of Africa, they were built to extract, export, and enrich the few. It is shaped by debt, foreign control, and fossil fuel dependency.

Today, this continues. Whether it’s oil and gas for export, or expensive solar projects owned by corporations, our energy is still privatised and controlled by profit-driven companies centralised and disconnected from communities.

On Africa Day 2025, African leaders are called to prioritise unity and pan-African cooperation in addressing the continent’s pressing challenges, especially climate change, energy poverty and food insecurity. African Leaders must invest in clean energy, and youth empowerment to unlock Africa’s vast human and natural potential. It is time to shift from dependency to resilience by supporting local industries, promoting innovation, and ensuring environmental stewardship. Good governance, accountability, and inclusive policies are essential to foster trust and prosperity across nations.

As African citizens, we must raise their voices to demand access to clean energy and transparency from their leaders. Clean energy is essential not only for powering homes and livelihoods but also for reducing pollution, improving health, and unlocking economic opportunities. Silence allows inequality and environmental degradation to persist, but collective action can drive real change. When citizens speak out, they hold governments and corporations accountable, ensuring that Africa’s energy future is just, inclusive, and sustainable.

Let us call for Repower Africa through renewables and fight for the following;

  1. Energy access for all, not just the wealthy
  2. Debt cancellation to fund real, public solutions
  3. Public funding for renewable energy
  4. Reparations for centuries of extraction and underdevelopment
  5. Bold political will from African leaders to break from colonial energy models

Africa must speak with one voice on the global stage, demanding climate justice, fair trade, and reparations for historical exploitation. Let Africa rise with dignity, strength, and a shared vision for a just and sustainable future.

By Dr Michael Terungwa David, Executive Director, GIFSEP

Communities wrap up AfrikaVuka Week with demand for energy sovereignty

Michael Simire
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Communities wrap up AfrikaVuka Week with demand for energy sovereignty

 As Africa Day is marked across the continent, communities in over 15 countries are concluding a week of action under the banner of AfrikaVuka Week 2025.

Afrika Vuka
Communities across Africa are rising in unity under the Afrika Vuka platform to demand climate justice and a clean energy future

Coordinated by the pan-African network AfrikaVuka, this year’s mobilisation, “Afrika Rise: A Week of REPower and Resilience”, saw grassroots organisers, youth groups, artists and frontline communities come together to demand a just transition away from fossil fuels and toward a people-centred renewable energy future.

More than 25 actions took place during the week, ranging from climate justice concerts in Cotonou and community energy debates in Kampala, to culture shows in Abuja and protest walks in Lamu. These diverse mobilisations were united by a shared demand: Africa does not need more pipelines, it needs solar in our schools, wind in our communities, and justice at the heart of our energy systems.

Rukiya Khamis, Senior Organiser at 350Africa.org, says: “Seven years ago, AfrikaVuka was born from a vision shared by grassroots organisers across the continent, a vision of an Africa liberated from fossil fuel dependency and powered by people-led renewable energy. That vision has become a movement. As we close this year’s AfrikaVuka Week, our call is sharper than ever: Africa doesn’t need more fossil fuel deals, it needs investment in energy systems that are clean, just, and locally owned.

“This is how we reclaim our sovereignty, build resilience, and unlock the future we deserve. We are organising not just for energy, but for power that is rooted in justice, driven by communities, and backed by the climate finance owed to us.”

AfrikaVuka was launched seven years ago by a group of African climate organisers determined to build a united movement to resist fossil fuel expansion on the continent. Today, that vision is being realised through the REPower Afrika campaign, which is amplifying local energy struggles while pushing for investment in community-led renewables and socially owned solutions as the only viable path forward. This week of action demonstrated that energy justice is inseparable from sovereignty and dignity. The message is clear: power for the people, built by communities, owned by communities, and for communities.

The actions also sent a strong signal to African leaders and international financiers ahead of AfDB’s annual meetings. 

Christian Hounkannou, Francophone Regional Organiser at 350Africa.org, says: “The era of fossil fuel deals must come to an end. Africa doesn’t need more extractive projects, it needs public investments in clean, community-centered energy systems that deliver power with dignity. We call on institutions like the AfDB and wealthy nations to stop pushing loans and start delivering climate justice. Finance our transition not with debt, but with the reparations owed for a crisis we did not cause.”

The final actions took place on Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Nairobi, Accra and Johannesburg, rounding off a week that has reaffirmed the strength, creativity, and determination of Africa’s climate movement.

“This year’s AfrikaVuka Week has not only commemorated the journey so far, but it has also reignited the call for a future in which African communities can thrive, free from the grip of fossil fuel dependency,” submits the promoters.

HEDA sues govt, oil giants over alleged unlawful oil licence transfer

Michael Simire
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HEDA sues govt, oil giants over alleged unlawful oil licence transfer

The Incorporated Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre has dragged Federal Government, multinational oil companies and Nigerian government agencies before the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the legality of a major oil asset divestment deal.

Federal High Court
The Federal High Court in Lagos

In the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/850/25, filed by Kunle Adegoke (SAN), HEDA is seeking the court’s determination on whether the transfer of interests in oil mining lease assets by Eni Societa Per Azioni, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, and Oando PLC was carried out in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and other relevant regulatory frameworks.

The civil society group alleges that the transaction was conducted in breach of several statutory provisions, including the Guidelines for Obtaining Minister’s Consent to Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets (2021), the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations (2022), the Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions Regulations (2023), and the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Remediation Regulations (2024).

Joined in the suit as defendants are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

HEDA is asking the court to declare the transaction unlawful, invalid, and of no legal effect, claiming that proper legal and environmental procedures were not followed. The organisation is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the relevant government agencies from recognising or approving the deal, and an order of nullification of any ministerial consent already granted.

In a statement, HEDA’s Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, said the legal action was part of the organisation’s long-standing commitment to ensuring transparency, environmental justice, and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s extractive sector.

“This suit is about more than just a corporate deal, it’s about the integrity of our regulatory systems and the future of environmental governance in Nigeria,” Suraju said. “We cannot continue to allow powerful interests to bypass laws meant to protect citizens, the environment, the economy, and integrity of the country.”

The organisation maintains that the case represents a significant test of the Nigerian government’s willingness to enforce the PIA and uphold accountability in the oil and gas industry.

With this legal step, HEDA aims to set a precedent that oil licence transfers and divestments must strictly adhere to Nigerian law, especially in an era where environmental sustainability and responsible governance are paramount.

The Court case document can be accessed here: https://eu.docworkspace.com/d/sIOLTyf3QAfKZy8EG

How data is helping cities counter plastic pollution

Michael Simire
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How data is helping cities counter plastic pollution

Officials in Lagos, Nigeria, were facing a dilemma.  

It was the early 2020s, and the city of 22 million was being overwhelmed by plastic pollution. Water sachets and takeaway containers were clogging canals, littering streets and bursting from landfills. 

Tokunbo Wahab
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab

But as evident as the problem was, city officials needed to know exactly how much plastic pollution Lagos was generating. The data that would be key to developing policy solutions. So, the city partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to conduct the first-ever audit of its waste. 

The results were surprising. Some 34 kg of plastic waste per person per year was leaking into Lagos’ water system. That’s the equivalent of every Lagos resident throwing 10 plastic water bottles into waterways every single day.  

The revelations, Lagos officials say, led the Lagos State Government in 2024 to ban all single-use food containers made from polystyrene foam, also known as styrofoam.

“The data convinced us to stand up with our political will,” says Tokunbo Wahab, Environment and Water Resources Commissioner in the Lagos State Government. 

Lagos is one of a growing number of cities that are attempting to use data, often painstakingly gathered through dumpsite visits and household surveys, to rein in plastic waste and end plastic pollution. The research has spawned bans on single-use plastics and new investments in waste management infrastructure. Experts say measures like those are crucial for curbing plastic pollution, which they called a growing threat to the environment. 

“Worldwide, there are yawning data gaps and reliability issues when it comes to plastic waste and plastic pollution,” says Sinikinesh Jimma, head of UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. “Plugging those is crucial for developing evidence-based policies and countering what is a mushrooming crisis.” 

As widespread as plastic waste and pollution are, there’s a dearth of data about them, says Jimma. That makes it difficult for government officials to justify pricey investments in waste management infrastructure, like recycling centres. 

But efforts are underway to arm local and national officials with the data they need. UNEP and UN-Habitat, for example, have developed what’s known as the Waste Wise Cities Tool, a series of guidelines that help cities gauge how much plastic waste they’re generating.  

The tool underpinned an audit in the bustling Kenyan port city of Mombasa. There, officials sifted through the trash of dozens of volunteer families, both high- and low-income, cataloguing how much plastic and other waste it contained. Surveyors also visited landfills, charting the volume of plastic waste and recording whether it came from formal or informal collectors. 

The research showed that only about 50 per cent of Mombasa’s waste was collected and just 5 per cent was recovered in 2020. The data helped the city attract financing for a plastic waste sorting plant. Two international aid agencies are now weighing a large-scale investment that would improve Mombasa’s entire municipal solid waste system. 

The waste measurement guidelines co-developed by UNEP are “providing the scientific data that we are using to develop bankable project proposals, and mobilize funds and private sector investment,” said Francis Thoya, Deputy Governor of Mombasa County. 

Experts say the lack of waste- and pollution-related data globally is part of a larger plastic information gap. Few comprehensive metrics cover things like the production of plastic polymers, and how plastic products are designed, manufactured and recycled. 

“A holistic understanding of the entire life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal, is necessary to develop comprehensive strategies that effectively counter plastic pollution,” says Jimma. 

Waste-related data from Mombasa, and other cities, is being piped into the Global Plastics Hub, a platform developed by UNEP and backed by the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter. The hub, which has been funded by the governments of Japan, Norway and the United States of America, is designed to be a one-stop shop where government officials – and others – can track 80 plastic-pollution-related indicators.

The portal is among the most comprehensive platforms of its kind in the world. In-depth country dashboards track how much plastic countries trade, how they manage plastic waste and what policies they have to counter plastic pollution. It’s designed to help countries make more informed decisions about how to address plastic pollution. 

This year’s World Environment Day, an annual celebration of the Earth hosted by UNEP, will focus on solutions to end plastic pollution. It comes as global plastic waste – which is often linked to pollution – is set to reach nearly 1 billion tonnes a year by 2060.  

“Many cities are running out of time to address this problem,” says Jimma. “It’s so important for municipalities to plug data gaps and make headway on reducing plastic pollution.”

The world generated around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2024, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. That number is expected to nearly triple within the next 25 years, with some of the steepest rises coming in developing countries, especially in the Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. If current trends hold, much of that plastic will end up in rivers, lakes and the ocean.

Edo unveils €175m climate resilience project

Michael Simire
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Edo unveils €175m climate resilience project

Edo State Government has unveiled a six-month work plan for its €175 million European Investment Bank (EIB)-funded Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

Monday Okpebholo
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Mr. Ahmed Momoh, State Coordinator of the project and Chief Executive Officer of the Edo Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA), said this at the project’s inaugural steering and technical committee meeting in Benin City on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Momoh said the initiative was to tackle gully erosion, land degradation, and climate vulnerability across the state as part of a broader effort spanning 23 Nigerian states.

“Only 10 per cent of the EIB funding will be accessible in the initial phase, with states required to meet key administrative and logistical benchmarks.

“Edo State Government has already released N500 million in counterpart funding,” he said

Momoh stressed the urgency of meeting pre-launch conditions such as staffing, procurement, and office readiness.

“Preparedness is key. Without timely disbursement of counterpart funding and proper logistics in place, we risk missing critical targets,” Momoh said.

On his part, Mr. Jude Ebodaghe Ekpu, who is the Chairman of the Steering Committee and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, called for efficient use of resources and a result-oriented approach.

“This project must yield outcomes that fully justify the investment. Our objective is to position Edo State as a benchmark for climate adaptation across Nigeria,” he stated.

Mr. Emmanuel Ekomoezor, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented a detailed six-month roadmap outlining timelines, performance indicators, and mechanisms for tracking impact.

The NEWMAP-EIB initiative is a continuation of the earlier World Bank-supported erosion control project.

This new phase focuses on scaling interventions through stronger institutional coordination and community-driven solutions. 

Govt urged to subsidise gas to save forest, Emir laments indiscriminate cutting of trees

Michael Simire
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Govt urged to subsidise gas to save forest, Emir laments indiscriminate cutting of trees

A climatologist, Mr. Nurudden Bello, has called on the Federal Government to subsidise gas and kerosene to reduce tree felling and promote cleaner energy use.

Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar-Faruq, wit the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar-Faruq

Bello, the Director of African Climate Reporters (ACR), made the call on Friday, May 24, 2025, in Kaduna, during a visit to Womenhood School of Health Science and Technology.

He said the high cost of cooking gas and kerosene forces many households to rely on firewood and charcoal, worsening deforestation in Northern Nigeria.

“Making gas and kerosene affordable will reduce pressure on forests and encourage households to adopt safer and cleaner energy sources,” he said.

Bello advocated for the promotion of fuel-efficient cooking stoves, especially among women in rural and urban areas as part of broader efforts to curb environmental degradation.

He emphasised the importance of tree planting in addressing environmental challenges such as desertification, erosion and windstorms.

According to Bello, planting trees around homes, schools, markets, hospitals, and places of worship can serve as natural barriers against strong winds and prevent soil erosion.

“In places like Kasuwan Magani in Southern Kaduna, several homes and worship centres have been destroyed by windstorms, damage that could have been mitigated by adequate tree cover,” he said.

He added that tree roots help to bind the soil particularly in areas with loose or weak soil, thereby preventing land degradation.

Bello described tree planting as a simple, low-cost solution with long-term benefits, including soil protection and environmental stability.

“Trees are more than just part of our landscape, they’re a natural defense against many environmental threats,” he said.

Bello called on government agencies, environmental stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns and support afforestation efforts at the grassroots level.

In a related development, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar-Faruq, says indiscriminate cutting of trees is worse than terrorism because it poses significant threats to the environment.

The Emir stated this in Daura on Friday, when Mr Saleh Abubakar, the Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) visited him.

According to the emir, the emirate council has taking the act of tree cutting in the area as a serious offence, because it can have devastating consequences for the community.

The royal father said that for a very long time, the emirate council had concluded that cutting trees was equivalent to killing of a human being.

According to him, because of the importance of tree planting, the emirate has provided serious punishment against anyone found guilty of cutting trees.

He added that most of the environmental challenges facing many areas, was due to the none challant attitude of cutting down trees.

Umar-Faruq said that Daura emirate council was the first across the country, especially in terms of tree planting.

“The emirate council is fully ready to support the agency in the distribution of the date seeds, because it will reduce unemployment, and also insecurity,” he assured.

The emir also promised to further sensitise the public on the importance of tree planting in the area, urging the people to plant and nurture trees to combat deforestation and protect the environment.

He urged the agency to address deforestation and its impact on the environment, which could lead to desert encroachment and climate change.

Earlier, the agency director general, said the advocacy visit was to seek the support of the emir to fight the encroachment of the Sahara deserts.

According to Abubakar, the encroachment is really affecting farm lands, killing domestic animals, hence the need for the residents to adopt the culture of tree planting, in order to make the environment better.

He said that the encroachment had been happening for a long time, but it was beyond expectations in recent times.

“Therefore, if prevented, we’re going to witness the needed raining season, and it will enable the farmers to harvest more and boost the economy.

“In the recent time, we’re experiencing too much of heat unlike before, it’s only the planting of trees that can prevent this situation,” he said.

According to him, while on his way to Daura, he was impressed to see the vast lands and the tree planting along the environment.

He told the emir that the agency would visit the 11 northern states where it operates and Katsina was one of them, while Daura was among the most important areas to visit.

“The agency has plans to distribute across our operating states, about 5 million Saudi Arabian date seeds, which can grow and be used in four years,” Abubakar said.

According to him, when planted and harvested after four years, Nigeria can generate over N300 billion out of it, in order to boost the country’s economy.

The agency operates in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Yobe, and Katsina states.

By Ezra Musa and Abbas Bamalli

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