The Federal Government of Nigeria has been urged to prioritise public health by embracing Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) alternatives, raising awareness among the general public, and making these harm-reduction products not only accessible but also affordable.
Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso
Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, a public health expert, made the submission at a recent THR event in Lagos.
He said: “Consequently, we present an eight-point roadmap for immediate actions required for the successful implementation of THR policies in Nigeria which includes Immediate development of a comprehensive THR Policy Framework aligned with global best practices and tailored to Nigeria’s unique context. Launch extensive public awareness campaigns to educate citizens, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the benefits of THR.
“The Nigerian health authorities should forge partnerships with media outlets to disseminate accurate information and counteract misinformation regarding THR policies. Strengthen knowledge about THR policies among healthcare professionals through targeted training programmes and awareness initiatives. Work on policies and reduce excise duties on risk-reduction products that ensure affordability compared to traditional cigarettes, making them accessible to a broader population. Encourage research and development in THR, supporting innovations and advancements in less harmful alternatives. Collaborate with international organisations and countries successfully implementing THR policies to gain insights and support. Institute robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of THR policies regularly.”
According to him, “Europe’s champion low-smoking nation, with the world’s lowest lung cancer and cardiovascular disease rates, owes much to embracing safer alternatives to cigarettes. This is a pivotal moment for Nigeria.
“The time to act is now, and we are ready to support and collaborate with the government in this critical journey toward a smoke-free Nigeria,” affirmed Professor Ike-Muonso.
Speaking further the public health expert opined: “THR, if embraced and nurtured, can chart a healthier, smoke-free course for millions. Investing in it isn’t just about cigarettes; it’s about saving lives, reducing healthcare burden, and building a healthier future for generations.
“A smoke-free future isn’t a fantasy; it’s within reach. Let’s embrace THR and pave the way for easier breathing for millions.
“Research shows these alternative products can be 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes, offering smokers choices and a potential exit route. This not only eases healthcare costs but also substantially improves public health outcomes. Nigeria’s path to a smoke-free future is clear. By learning from Sweden and embracing THR, the country can finally break free from the grip of tobacco and build a healthier tomorrow.”
Mr. Teslim Shitta-Bey, Managing Director of Proshare, amplified the call for pragmatic action, urging collaboration and innovation to emulate Sweden’s success.
Nigeria, weighed down by 28,876 annual deaths and crippling healthcare costs from smoking, finds newfound hope in Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR). Inspired by Sweden’s success, the country seeks to replicate its path to a smoke-free future.
The Lagos State Government has urged all occupants of identified distressed buildings in the state to evacuate immediately.
Scene of the collapsed build at Ebute-Metta in Lagos
This was made known by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, on Friday, December 22, 2023, as a three-floor building with a penthouse caved in at Lagos Street by Herbert Macauley, Ebute-Metta.
Speaking at the site of the unfortunate incident, the Commissioner, who was with the Special Adviser, e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Oluwole Sotire; General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Kehinde Osinaike; and General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, said that the building, having been marked distressed and published in the dailies as such, was partially demolished by LASBCA after serving the statutory notices, including evacuation notice.
He noted that he recently supervised the marking and service of notices to a number of distressed buildings in the Ebute-Metta area.
Olumide said that it was appalling that people would refuse to evacuate distressed buildings after being officially asked to do so.
His words: “I deeply sympathise with the casualties but remain puzzled at why people would choose to stay in a distressed building, in spite of the serious danger to lives and property.”
He urged all occupants of distressed buildings in the state to vacate immediately as the government would be more stringent in the application of physical planning laws.
More information will be furnished as it emerges as rescue operations are ongoing.
Currently, Nigeria’s Climate Change Act is the only standalone legal framework from which the totality of Nigeria’s efforts at climate change mitigation, adaptation, structured sustainable development, and transition to a low-carbon resilient economy draw breath. While complementary laws may be enacted to help attain the objectives of the Act in other sectors, the Act remains the overarching legal framework for climate action in Nigeria.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo
Passed by the 9th National Assembly during the third quarter of 2021, the Bill which gave birth to the Act was eventually signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on November 17, 2021. Thereafter, President Buhari went on to appoint the first Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, and convene the first meeting of the Council, in 2022.
One key provision of the Act aimed at giving climate change the high-level attention it deserves is the composition of the National Council on Climate Change – Nigeria’s highest decision-making body on climate change. Accordingly, Section 3 (1) of the Act establishes the Council, while Section 5(1) lists the composition of the Council with (very importantly) the President as the Chairman of the Council.
The Act goes on to list the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Vice Chairman of the Council. Other members are: the Ministers responsible for Environment, Petroleum Resources, Budget and National Planning, Justice, Mines and Steel Development, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Power, Women Affairs, Transportation, Water Resources; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; the National Security Adviser; the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum; the President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria; a representative of the private sector on climate change or environment-related matters, nominated by the most representative registered national umbrella association; a representative of women, youths, and persons with disabilities, each to be nominated by the most representative registered national umbrella association; a representative of environment related Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for Environment; and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, who shall serve as the Secretary.
I have painstakingly listed in detail the members of the Council as provided for by the Climate Change Act to make three points:
Firstly, to address some of the concerns expressed by some citizens about the different Ministers who were part of the government delegation to the just concluded 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). Climate Change is a cross-cutting issue and thus demands a multifaceted approach. The Act recognises this.
Secondly, to draw attention to the fact that prior to leaving the country for COP28, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had spoken to his cabinet members and charged them to attend COP28 with the mindset of using the platform to advance the interests of Nigeria in bilateral meetings and other engagements. Each Minister was handed a roster to that effect. It was such a careful roster that each Minister was assigned specific meetings and engagements to attend and represent Nigeria effectively and productively.
Thirdly, in mandating his Ministers and other members of the Council on what to do, President Tinubu was effectively acting according to the spirit and letters of the Climate Change Act.
Recall that during the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly, the President had said: “As we approach COP 28 climate summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action, I have directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria’s energy transition. It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to attract international partnerships and investments that align with our national goals. I call upon our representatives to engage proactively to showcase the strides we have made in the quest to create an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects. Together, we will strive for Nigeria to emerge from COP28 with tangible commitments, reinforcing our dedication to a future where energy is not only a catalyst for development, but also a driver of environmental stewardship.” (my emphasis).
By saying, “Together, we will…” President Tinubu fully wore his hat as the Chairman of the Council as stipulated by the Act. Not only did he charge each of his Ministers to focus on specific areas in accordance with the multifaceted nature of climate action, and the provisions of the Climate Change Act, he further embodied his position as the Chairman of the Council by leading from the front. This he did not only by being physically present in Dubai, but also personally attending series of high-level meetings and engagements, some of which I was opportuned to be part of. This, too, is indeed in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act.
Recognising also the role of civil society and the private sector as provided by the Act, UNFCCC accreditation badges (although private individual travels were not funded by the FG) were provided for several CSOs and private sector players to enable them to engage with potential funders, which will eventually be used to drive climate action in Nigeria. Consequently, some governors and so many captains of industries from Nigeria attended COP28.
In the words of Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, “…COP28 has also demonstrated the importance of inclusivity. We are proud of the leadership of real economy actors from around the world – including indigenous people, women, finance, business, cities and states, youth and civil society – who have built momentum for this outcome. I am committed to working tirelessly with all of them to support Parties to turn the declarations and outcomes here at COP28 into action, finance and solutions on the ground.”
Further, in line with Section 4(i) of the Act, President Tinubu announced on December 2, 2023, at COP28, that Nigeria has constituted a special committee to activate the country’s national carbon market strategy, and accordingly appointed Zach Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Salisu Dahiru, Director General, National Council on Climate Change as Co-chairmen.
All these actions show a total commitment towards a comprehensive implementation of the Climate Change Act and the realisation of its important goal of a low carbon, sustainably developed Nigeria. President Tinubu would further affirm his commitment to this in his article entitled “Africa can become the world’s green manufacturing powerhouse” which was published by Cable News Network (CNN) on the final day of COP28. Therein, he informed the world that “Nigeria has taken significant steps and acted decisively in enacting the Climate Change Act and committing to net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2070,” and went ahead to state that as part of the country’s commitment, during COP28, Nigeria launched the Nigerian Carbon Market Initiative and “ signed an agreement with a German energy firm to massively convert flared gas into high-grade natural gas exports to Europe. This is critical to reducing one of the major ways the country contributes to global greenhouse gases.”
While COP28 may not have delivered as the perfect UNFCCC COP, a whole lot of gains were recorded. For instance, we witnessed, for the first time, a decision to work towards transitioning away from fossil fuels, conserve and restore nature, and tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is an important commitment, to keep us on the Paris Agreement pathways. We also saw the historic adoption of the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund on the first day of the conference and the eventual raising of initial funds for it in order to help vulnerable and developing countries deal with the losses and damages caused by climate change.
Africa would also secure a major win in the adoption of the Global Goal on Adaptation Framework, and the special attention to food systems, which led to the release of the FAO Roadmap and Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation. Again, this aligns with President Tinubu’s inaugural speech on food security.
As a country, there are many ways in which Nigeria will benefit enormously from the successes recorded at COP28, especially by the President comprehensively activating the implementation of the Climate Change Act. While we have launched our Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), we were also able to secure a fast tracking of the implementation of the Siemens agreement; set up a committee to draft our national carbon market strategy; launch the Nigerian Carbon Market Initiative; etc. There are also several gains in the pipeline as a result of many bilateral and private business meetings.
Climate change demands not just high-level action, but also comprehensive multilevel action if the world is to fully address it. This fact was taken into consideration in the drafting of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act. What President Tinubu has done over the past few months was to fully apprehend the overarching provisions of the Act and to judiciously commence the comprehensive implementation of the Act to the letter. This is great news for Nigeria and indeed Africa.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo, former Member of the House of Representatives, is the sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act and one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change 2023. He is on X as @OnuigboSI
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. says it has fulfilled its pledge of achieving the mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on Area 5 Plant of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC).
NNPC and government officials inspecting facilities at the Port Harcourt refinery
Rehabilitation work has been ongoing at the Refinery for over two years and the NNPC Ltd. had pledged to complete Phase One of the project (mechanical completion and flare start-up) of Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5) by December 31, 2023.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project, which also coincided with the 15th Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, said as of December 15, 2023, 84.4% of Area 5 Plant, a key component of the Refinery, and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project have been completed.
“In our quest to ensure that this refinery is re-streamed to continue to deliver value to Nigerians, we made a promise that we will reach a mechanical completion of phase one of the rehabilitation project by the end of December and get the other plants running in 2024. Today, we have kept those commitments,” Kyari stated.
The GCEO commended the NNPC Ltd.’s staff and the EPCIC contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery achieved that significant milestone.
In his remarks, the Chairman of NNPC Ltd Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, described the milestone as “historic”, stressing that the board was proud of the staff and management of the refinery.
“We are just starting. We want to be at the highest level of production so that we will keep the prices of petroleum prices in the country stable in order to give comfort to our people and generate more revenue for our country,” Akinyelure noted.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the milestone is another landmark of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
He thanked Nigerians for their patience and the trust they have in NNPC Ltd.’s ability to deliver on this huge project.
In his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said re-streaming the Refinery would herald a good omen for the nation’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry, as LPG, also known as cooking gas, is a major bye-product of the Refinery.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Tecnimont Nig. Ltd., Fabio Del Cioppo, one of the EPC Contractors of the Rehabilitation Project, said his company remains committed to fulfilling the terms of the contract.
The PHRC rehabilitation project, which costs about $1.5 billion, is an EPCIC project that covers Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning phases. For Area 5, the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation have all been completed. The mechanical completion signifies the closure of the Construction and Installation phases.
The Federal Government of Nigeria recently presented the 2024 Budget proposal to the National Assembly. The Budget titled “Budget of Renewed Hope” shows a proposed expenditure of NGN27.5 trillion and an estimated revenue of NGN18.32 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year. We have analysed in our infographic a snapshot of the 2024 Budget proposal and its assumptions relative to the 2023 approved and supplementary Budgets.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria
Following President Bola Tinubu’s submission of a proposed budget of N27.5 trillion for 2024 to the National Assembly (NASS), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called on Nigerians to contribute more substantively to nation-building and tone down on the criticism of the government.
The budget expenditure for the year as proposed stood at N27.5 trillion, the highest in the history of Nigeria and 10.79% higher than the 2023 revised budget (N24.83 trillion – addition of signed + supplementary budgets). The Budget relies on the key assumptions outlined in Nigeria’s Federal Government’s 2024-2026 Medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF). Revenue projection surged by 65.8% to N18.32 trillion, surpassing the 2023 revised budget of N11.05 trillion.
Expenditure projection rose by 10.3% to N27.5 trillion from the 2023-revised budget. The total expenditure breaks down as Capital expenditure at N7.72trn (28%), recurrent expenditure at N9.92trn (36.1%), and debt servicing at N8.25trn (30.0%). Debt service projection improves to 45.0% of revenue in 2024 from 73.5% in the 2023 budget proposal. The projection for capital expenditure improved by 34.7%, while non-debt recurrent expenditure increased by 19.1%. The total deficit hit N9.18 trillion, about 3.88% of the GDP, marking a shift toward better fiscal management.
The Nigerian Government intends to spend 30 percent of its 2024 budget on debt servicing, allocating less to critical sectors of the economy. The government budgeted N8.25 trillion (30 percent) for debt servicing in 2024 while critical sectors of the economy such as education was allocated N2.18 trillion, and the health sector N1.33 trillion, Infrastructure, defence, social development & poverty reduction were allocated N1.32 trillion, N3.25 trillion and N534 billion respectively in the budget.
The economy is expected to grow by 3.76%, while “inflation is expected to moderate to 21.4 percent in 2024.
Perspicacity from the 2024 Budget (President Bola Tinubu Budget Expectation)
2024 Nigeria’s Budget continues to be ambitious and unrealistic in the face of current reality; Revenue and fiscal deficit projections seem unrealistic. The country continues to live in denial as revenue consistently underperforms projections and maintains a slow growth projection while spending surges yearly.
The 2024 budget intensifies spending to support the economy; As a clear departure from previous budgets, the 2024 budget highlighted how the government intends to support growth and employment. However, there is no mention of sending the Finance Bill 2023 to support the 2024 budget implementation.
Revenue optimisation and expenditure efficiency; The government needs to implement measures to drive optimisation in revenue mobilisation and block leakages while also getting the best from spending. Others include a re-visitation of the tax structure and procurement to institutionalise effective fiscal space.
Given the enormity of the task ahead, heightened action is needed to galvanise progress. The Proposed programme budget 2024–2025 is aligned with these priorities, which aim to support countries to:
promote health and well-being and prevent disease, by addressing root causes and creating conditions for good health through multi-sectoral collaboration;
provide health through a radical reorientation of health systems towards primary health care as the foundation of universal health coverage.
President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s national defence and internal security, local job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimisation, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security are some of the top priorities of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope.
He said the proposed budget prioritises human capital development, with particular attention given to children, because human capital remains the most critical resource for national development.
“To improve the effectiveness of our budget performance, the government will focus on ensuring value for money, greater transparency, and accountability. In this regard, we will work more closely with development partners and the private sector.
“To address long-standing issues in the education sector, a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education will be implemented, including the Student Loan Scheme scheduled to become operational by January 2024,” the President affirmed.
Government Budget
Government Budget, Forecast of governmental expenditures and revenues for the ensuing fiscal year. In modern industrial economies, the budget is the key instrument for the execution of government economic policies. Because government budgets may promote or retard economic growth in certain areas of the economy and because views about priorities in government spending differ widely, government budgets are the focus of competing political interests.
According to the International Budget Partnership (IBP), the importance of a country’s budget lies in several factors:
Resource Allocation
The budget helps the government allocate resources efficiently to meet its policy objectives. It reflects the priorities of the government and its commitment to different sectors.
Policy Implementation
The budget serves as a tool for implementing government policies. It outlines the financial resources available for various programs, enabling the government to execute its plans effectively.
Fiscal Discipline
A well-managed budget promotes fiscal discipline by ensuring that government spending does not exceed available resources. It helps prevent excessive borrowing and contributes to economic stability.
Accountability and Transparency
The budget process promotes accountability and transparency in government operations. Citizens can assess how public funds are being used and hold the government accountable for its financial decisions.
Macroeconomic Stability
A balanced budget contributes to macroeconomic stability by avoiding excessive inflation or deflation. It helps maintain a sustainable fiscal policy that supports overall economic health.
Debt Management
The budget plays a crucial role in managing a country’s debt. Governments must consider their borrowing needs and ensure that debt levels are sustainable in the long term.
Investor Confidence
A transparent and well-managed budget enhances investor confidence. It provides insight into the government’s economic policies and its ability to meet financial obligations.
A country’s budget is a fundamental tool for managing its finances, implementing policies, and promoting economic stability. It reflects the government’s priorities, ensures accountability, and influences the overall well-being of the nation.
The 2024 Budget titled “Budget of Renewed Hope” replicates statistically the importance of having an explicit Budget in Nigeria which shows indeed there is hope for a better Nigeria.
Renowned climate change governance scholar and advocate, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, has coordinated the visit of young climate leaders to the Enugu State Government House to share and discuss their vision for how Enugu state might become a greener and more resilient city.
Cross section of the participants with the Secretary to the State Government Enugu State, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, and the Commissioner for Environment, Enugu State, Prof Sam Ugwu
The visit to the Enugu State Government on Thursday, December 21, 2023, is one of the activities planned as part of the implementation of the International Visitors’ Leadership Programme (IVLP) impact award given to Prof. Okereke by the U.S. Department of State Bureau for Education and Cultural Affairs. The IVLP impact project which was implemented in partnership with the Society for Planet & Prosperity, the Centre for Climate Change & Development (CCCD) of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, and Eco-Cyclers as designed to train young climate and environmental advocates from Enugu State and environs on the role of urban greening in combating urban air pollution and climate change.
Thirty-one young climate leaders were selected from a pool of over 4,000 applicants to participate in the prestigious training programme.
The purpose of the visit was to inform the state administration about the activities carried out under the project’s activities and their impact. These activities included a two-day training on climate change, urban greening, and air quality measurements. It also included a climate education exercise involving over 7,000 children from three public secondary schools in Enugu, as well as the planting of over 100 economic and ornamental trees in strategic locations throughout the city. Young leaders also took advantage of the visit to express their vision and ideas for transforming Enugu into a green and climate-resilient city in keeping with the city’s reputation as a clean, ambient, and family-friendly metropolis.
The young leaders were accompanied in the visit by the Commissioner for Environment in Enugu State, Prof. Sam Ugwu.
The SSG, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, was very delighted to meet with the young leaders, stating that the present government in Enugu State, under the leadership of Barrister Ndubuisi Mbah, is taking the issue of climate change seriously. The evidence can be seen in the modification of the state Ministry of Environment to accommodate climate change and the appointment of some senior officials in the climate change sphere to ensure success and sustainability.
The SSG also informed the young leaders of a proposed trust fund for climate-related activities, which will benefit the young leaders once implementation commences. The target is to plant about 10,000 trees around the Awhum axis in the Udi Local Government Area of the state as a pilot.
The team presented the two artworks to the SSG on behalf of Prof. Okereke. The presentation was done by Ogechi Nwonye, Basil Ojengwa, and Elochukwu Anieze. The SSG appreciated the young leaders and promised to ensure that the members of the team are carried along when the implementation of the trust fund is flagged off.
The Commissioner pledged to contact the young leaders once the tree-planting campaign is underway so they can join forces with the stage government to make it a success. Both the SSG and the commissioner commended Prof. Okereke for the initiative and his wider contribution to manpower and sustainable development in Enugu State, describing him as a worthy ambassador of the state.
By Elochukwu Anieze, Research Fellow at the Centre for Climate Change and Development, AE-FUNAI
Nigeria Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have appealed to all participating parties in the recently held 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to urgently translate the decisions reached during the session into concrete actions to ensure that those most impacted by the climate scourge have a chance to survive.
L-R: Michael Simire, Director, EnviroNews Development Network (Endenet); Ms. Titilope Akosa, Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st Issues); and Gboyega Olorunfemi, Project Lead, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), addressing a press conference in Lagos on the outcome of COP28
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian CSOs, Ms. Titilope Akosa, Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st Issues), made the submission during a press conference on the outcome of COP28 in Lagos on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
COP28 held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30 to December 13, 2023.
Akosa addressed the media in the company of Michael Simire, Director, EnviroNews Development Network (Endenet), and Gboyega Olorunfemi, Project Lead, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP).
Under a British High Commission (BHC) supported project, C21st Issues, Endenet and SPP mobilised over 250 Nigerian CSOs at COP28, in partnership with the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance (NCJA).
Titled: “COP28: Strengthening Nigeria’s Civil Society Organisations’ Engagement with Global Climate Change Policy”, the project is aimed at improving the communication, lobbying and advocacy competencies of climate CSOs to ensure a more active participation at the global summit.
Akosa, who disclosed at the media session that the Nigeria CSOs welcomed the final decisions made at COP28, including the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, Global Stocktake, Adaptation Goal, Climate Finance, the phase-out of fossil fuels, the tripling of renewable energy uptake, declarations on health and climate, declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems and climate action, and just transition, among others, however said these decisions were seen as positive steps towards addressing climate change.
Media and civil society officials at the press conference on the outcome of COP28 in Lagos
In her words: “While acknowledging the financial pledges made during COP28 across various negotiation streams, the CSOs recognised that the current level of pledges is insufficient to effectively respond to climate change. They called on developed country parties to increase their financial commitments and promptly fulfill their pledges to accelerate climate action on the ground.
“The Nigerian CSOs firmly believe that the strength of the COP28 decisions lies in the consistent and continuous actions taken by parties to implement these decisions and deliver on their financial commitments. They emphasise the importance of immediate action and urge all relevant stakeholders to prioritise implementation to effectively address the climate crisis.
“Nigeria’s civil society organisations (CSOs) appreciate the commitment of Nigeria’s government in participating actively in COP28. We commend the Nigerian team, led by the President and state governors, for adopting a result-oriented approach in mobilising climate finance and engaging in bilateral negotiations to garner support for climate action in Nigeria.
“Additionally, we strongly urge the Nigerian government to maintain its crucial leadership and political will in the sphere of climate governance. By doing so, Nigeria can create an enabling environment for multi-sector collaboration, which is essential for effective implementation of climate initiatives within the country.”
On the implications of fossil fuel phase out for Nigeria, Akosa opined: “The Nigerian CSOs are acutely aware of the implications of the fossil fuel phase-out for Nigeria and the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources.
“As one of Africa’s largest oil producers, Nigeria faces unique challenges and opportunities in navigating this transition. Nigeria has long relied on oil revenues, which comprise a significant portion of its GDP.
“Therefore, Nigeria must carefully balance the goal of sustaining its economy while divesting from fossil fuels. This requires comprehensive planning and a multi-faceted approach. However, the phase-out of fossil fuels also presents an opportunity for economic diversification.
“Nigeria can shift its focus towards renewable energy, especially with the recent removal of fuel subsidies. The launch of Nigeria’s Long-Term Mitigation and Low Carbon Development Strategy demonstrates the country’s careful planning for divestment from fossil fuels. These strategies provide a framework for fostering public-private collaborations, which can attract necessary financial resources, expertise, and technological advancements for a successful transition.
“Through the implementation of the Long-Term Mitigation and Low Carbon Development Strategy, Nigeria can attract investment in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power sectors. This will help build a more resilient economy, create employment opportunities, protect the environment, and enhance the well-being of its citizens. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is not only crucial for Nigeria’s long-term economic stability but also essential for addressing climate change on a global scale.
“The phase-out of fossil fuels also underscores the importance of intensifying nature-based solutions to address climate change impacts. Solutions such as reforestation, afforestation, sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and sustainable land management can effectively tackle various environmental challenges and mitigate climate impacts, while offering multiple benefits to communities and biodiversity to build a resilient future for all. It is important to note that the fossil fuel phase-out is part of a just transition, which requires adequate financing.
“Nigerian CSOs call upon development partners, multilateral development banks, and climate finance institutions to support Nigeria in its transition by providing the necessary financial resources to navigate this transition successfully.
“By receiving support, Nigeria can achieve a just transition that enhances sustainable development and promotes climate resilience” she maintained.
The CSOs also frowened at the destruction of urban forest at Agodi Gardens in Ibadan, saying that they are totally against the destruction of the facility by the Governor Seyi Makinde led Oyo State Government.
“We condemn this wanton destruction of our common heritage. We consider the development regrettable and highly unacceptable.
“The UN Biodiversity had declared this decade as one for Ecosytems Restoration, and we consider the destruction of trees that have been standing for decades as going against the convention Nigeria has signed unto.
“Destroying such a very important habitat in a big city like Ibadan goes against every known norm of living in harmony with nature. While other cities are bringing back greenery into their space for the health benefits, climate change mitigation and environmental restoration, it is regrettable that the Oyo State Government is doing the exact opposite.
“We call on Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently halt this act of environmental degradation,” said Akosa.
The world is welcoming with caution a landmark decision, referred to as the Global Stocktake, in which nearly 200 countries pledged to move away from fossil fuels, a breakthrough that came in the waning hours of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).
A UNEP side event at COP28
The final text, released on December 13, 2023, avoided calling for the “phase out” of coal, oil and gas, as many nations had hoped. But it did stipulate the tripling of new investments in renewable energy and the “transitioning away” from fossil fuels in power systems. It marked the first time a COP final decision had singled out fossil fuels, whose combustion is by far the leading cause of the climate crisis.
“The deal is not perfect, but one thing is clear: the world is no longer denying our harmful addiction to fossil fuels,” said Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in a wrap up statement.
Highlights from UNEP
According to the 2023 edition of the Emissions Gap Report, released in the lead up to COP28, emissions must cut emissions by 42 per cent by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
At COP28, Afreximbank’s position aligned with the broader agenda of the African Union on Climate Change and Africa’s development as outlined in the Nairobi 2023 declaration during the Africa Climate Summit 2023
Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman, Afreximbank, with delegates at a COP28 side event
African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank”) recently concluded its participation at COP28 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, where the bank reiterated its commitment to advancing the continent’s climate goals and sustainable development agenda.
Against the backdrop of the official COP28 theme “Transforming climate finance, by delivering on old promises and setting the framework for a new deal on finance; Putting nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of climate action”, Afreximbank worked to build on the progress made at COP27 in Egypt and the African Climate Summit 2023 in Kenya.
At COP27, Afreximbank spearheaded calls for Africa to assert its needs, challenges, and outlook, and most significantly to drive the continent’s position on a just energy transition and sustainable development. Similarly, at COP28, Afreximbank’s position aligned with the broader agenda of the African Union on Climate Change and Africa’s development as outlined in the Nairobi 2023 declaration during the Africa Climate Summit 2023.
The bank’s approach also incorporated elements from COP27, addressing the broader issues on financing climate interventions for climate adaptation and mitigation, loss and damage compensation for African states affected by climate-related hazards and potential challenges that African states will face as they try to access the Loss and Damage Fund announced during COP28’s opening session.
Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman, Afreximbank, said: “Amidst the pressing climate challenges faced by Africa, Afreximbank continues to advocate for an inclusive and just energy transition for Africa, in collaboration with the African Union, member states and partners, that will forge a new, green industrialised economy, advance the continent’s climate goals and development through strategic initiatives and expediting of the AfCFTA implementation. This will serve as a catalyst for economic development and a resilient future for Africa.”
Led by its Executive Management, Afreximbank reportedly made substantial progress in critical areas.
Support the advancement of the goals articulated under the African Leaders Declaration on Climate Change in Nairobi 2023
At COP28, Afreximbank championed a robust pan-African narrative derived from the agreed Nairobi declaration at the inaugural African Climate Summit in Nairobi. Afreximbank supported interventions addressing the multidimensional impacts of climate change on the continent and promoting sustainable development in Africa. In line with the Paris Agreement emission reduction goals, Afreximbank showcased African leaders’ aspirations to reduce emissions while actively contributing to the implementation of innovative solutions designed to address the existing climate finance in the continent.
The bank further advocated for the swift operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund agreed upon at COP27, designed to provide financial assistance to countries that are most vulnerable and impacted by climate change, especially in Africa.
Fostering and promoting inclusive partnerships for renewable energy and a just energy transition for sustainable development
Aligned with the AU Agenda 2063, Afreximbank’s commitment to financing and supporting renewable energy projects was sounded at COP28. Specific focus was given to interventions seeking to increase capital to support the optimisation of Africa’s vast renewable energy potential and other initiatives buttressing the development of sustainable energy systems that guarantee increased energy access for Africans as an important catalyst for economic development.
Indeed, Afreximbank used the COP28 opportunity to underscore the importance of planning renewable energy ventures on the continent to ensure their readiness for investment from private capital.
Afreximbank also urged for increased collaboration by public and private sector actors for a globally inclusive energy transition model. The bank solidified its commitment to supporting Africa’s just-transition plans, taking into consideration the continent’s development priorities, mitigation of transition costs, timelines, and the criticality of its natural resources in financing development programmes designed to address existential challenges including improved energy access for its people.
Moreover, Afreximbank discussed the opportunity presented by Africa’s great reserves of critical energy transition materials. The Bank highlighted its collaboration with UNECA, alongside other partners, in progressing the DRC-Zambia Battery Value Chain Special Economic Zones, aimed at locally beneficiating the critical minerals necessary for the global energy transition.
Accelerating the Implementation of the AfCFTA for a Greener Africa
At COP28, Afreximbank, among other African institutions, was at the forefront of championing the AfCFTA, showcasing its ability to drive local industry growth and spearhead a continent-wide transition to net-zero emissions. The bank prioritises the mobilisation of resources to foster collaborative efforts expediting AfCFTA implementation which will promote the localisation of regional value chains, critical to reducing Africa’s carbon emissions.
Notably, the bank’s groundbreaking initiative, the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, aims to address short-term disruptions and ensure retooling and reskilling within the private sector for sustainable development in Africa. At a side event, the bank and other partners launched the SAFE Initiative, where its representatives made the case for the expansion and acceleration of the continent’s burgeoning EV industrial infrastructure.
Afreximbank engaged in crucial dialogues at COP28 and used the platform to advocate for climate action in Africa – highlighting at all times the AfCFTA’s pivotal role as an instrumental variable in achieving climate goals. Conference delegates heard from Afreximbank’s trade policy experts on the importance of a trade approach coordinated on a continental basis.
Deployment of innovative climate finance solutions
Afreximbank’s commitment to exploring and deploying innovative climate finance solutions was demonstrated at COP28. The bank highlighted its climate-related initiatives such as the Climate Adaptation Finance Facility, early-stage project preparation facility and risk bearing instruments like guarantees, tailored for the Bank’s member states.
Afreximbank aims to deploy initiatives designed to address the challenges inhibiting access to climate finance, and the need for increased private and public sector collaboration in financing of climate interventions across the continent.
The bank also articulated the urgency of channelling climate finance to Africa and the importance of crowding in private sector capital to climate-relevant projects, communicating to a broader international audience the imperative that, as well as a radical increase in the quantity of financing directed to continental ventures, the structure of finance flows to Africa must be revised to meet the demands of this unprecedented test.
Shaping a well-regulated carbon market for Africa’s future
Afreximbank acknowledges its position as a key player in shaping a well-regulated carbon market in Africa by 2030. With initiatives like the African Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI), the bank contributes to transparent and innovative solutions, aligning with COP28’s transformative climate finance theme.
Afreximbank says it is committed to the implementation of Biodiversity Credits in Africa and the diversification of the continent’s participation in carbon credit markets, which could be converted into a critical funding tool to bridge Africa’s Infrastructure Finance Gap.
The final agreement of the Dubai climate summit that mentions for the first time a transition “away from fossil fuels” is considered a step in the right path, but that remains far too insufficient to respond to the urgency and severity of the climate crisis, particularly for vulnerable countries
COP28 officials applaud the adoption of “The UAE Consensus” in Dubai
World leaders have finally agreed that the world must abandon fossil fuels to avoid catastrophic climate change, after 30 years of intense and painful negotiations.
This concession was obtained in the face of the outcry caused by the previous draft which did not explicitly recognise the need to move away from fossil fuels. The Global Stocktake, although hailed by some as “historic”, does not however evoke a clear “exit” from oil, gas and coal, that the global climate movement has been demanding for decades.
This small victory, however, marks the beginning of the end. Now world leaders have broken the taboo. The final text clearly names the evil, although it only calls for “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a fair, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this decade crucial, in order to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 in accordance with scientific recommendations.”
The end of the age of fossils is fast approaching. A scenario that would not have been possible had it not been for the global climate movement and communities that have spoken loud and clear over the past few weeks and during COP.
Should we then rejoice in the results of this conference? Not really. As an African, we expected COP28 to demonstrate commitment to course correcting and charting a path to a complete phase out of all fossil fuels, a sustainable future built on renewables, ambitious adaptation finance and clear technology transfer commitments by rich nations.
Though the Dubai final text mentions the transition away from fossil fuels, it makes no reference to the support needed for developing countries to undertake this energy transition. Who will pay the bill for this transition? Is it fair and realistic to expect developing countries to bear the burden of this transition without significant financial support?
Financing issues have been for long at the heart of climate negotiations and have caused enormous frustration for African countries who adopted the Nairobi Declaration last September, a text sanctioning the first African Climate Summit. The continent which is bearing the brunt of the ravages of the climate crisis, is calling for an increase in “Africa’s renewable energy production capacity from 56 gigawatts in 2022 to at least 300 gigawatts by 2030”, as well as an in-depth reform of a new financing mechanism adapted to the needs of Africa, including restructuring and debt relief. This objective was not achieved in Dubai.
No one needs to recall the continent’s insignificant contribution to the ongoing crisis; hence the final text leaves a bitter taste from a climate justice perspective. For millions of Africans, the climate crisis affects every aspect of life – from food and housing to access to clean water and clean energy. Hence support for the tripling of renewable energies had generated optimism and energised communities who have mobilised massively in recent weeks to call for rapid and large-scale deployment of renewable energies in Africa.
To truly achieve climate justice, the biggest polluters must take leadership and do their part to phase out all fossil fuels while accelerating funding to triple clean energy by 2030 and doubling of energy efficiency. These two objectives are closely linked and represent the only path to survival for the populations of the Global South. Once again, the Dubia agreement failed to present a clear path forward, supported by a legal framework and implementation timetable.
History will remember that COP28 was a moment of truth for the fossil fuel industry, after decades of lies, manipulation and greenwashing. We were not expecting that the end of the fossil fuel era would be declared by its first beneficiaries.
There were at least 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists at this summit who did everything to influence the final agreement. Until the last hour of the COP, we have also seen the power of mobilisation and pressure from civil society, the climate movement, indigenous peoples and progressive leaders who demonstrated their commitment to protect the interests and the future of the most vulnerable and the voiceless at the center of climate negotiations.
Over the next two years leading up to COP30 in Brazil, we will continue to build momentum to demand climate justice even more fiercely. A luta continua!
By Landry Ninteretse, Regional Director, 350Africa.org
