The Ondo State Government says it will partner with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on the restoration and development of OSSE River Park to international standards for eco-tourists attraction.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State
Chief Segun Odusanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, stated this during a meeting with the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology and Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management of the institution.
Odusanya, who said that there was need to partner national and international organisations, explained that the state government welcomed technical and logistic support to enhance the park’s restoration and conservation.
“The OSSE River Park is the state’s only conservation park which provides a habitat for wild animals, but it requires attention due to human activities,” he said.
Also, Mr. Olushola Ibosiola, Director of Wildlife Conservation, Parks, and Ecotourism in the ministry, emphasised the importance of wildlife conservation and ecotourism, saying that the park covered 285.79 km²
According to him, the benefits of ecotourism include revenue generation, economic incentives, awareness, and research support.
Ibosiola, however, acknowledged the challenges of ensuring sustainable practices and balancing economic benefits with conservation goals.
Prof. Oluseyi Fabiyi and Prof. Adekunle Ogunjinmi, from the two departments in FUTA, expressed their willingness to collaborate with the government to harness the park’s potential.
The duo said the international bodies were willing to provide support for wildlife conservation and ecotourism development.
They promised to schedule a visit to assess the park’s condition and determine the level of intervention required.
Stakeholders in the climate justice sector have called for the integration of climate justice into the Nigerian secondary school curriculum to empower young people and promote environmental sustainability.
Participants at the CSDevNet national consultative workshop in Abuja
The call was made during a national consultative workshop on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Abuja, organised by the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), with the theme “Integrating Climate Justice into the Secondary School Curriculum”.
Dr Samson Ogallah, Head of the Climate Change Unit at the African Union, stressed the importance of embedding climate justice in education to ensure that future generations are equipped to confront climate-related challenges.
“Climate justice is rooted in the principle that the impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by marginalised communities, those who have contributed the least to global emissions yet suffer the most,” he said.
He noted that in many African nations, including Nigeria, economies depend heavily on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, making the issue even more pressing.
Ogallah emphasised that education must go beyond climate science to include developing resilience, leadership, and a sense of justice among students.
“Integrating climate justice into the curriculum will empower our youth with critical knowledge and innovative skills. Geography lessons can focus on local ecosystems, while arts can be used to express visions for a sustainable future,” he added.
He also recommended the inclusion of case studies from communities affected by drought, flooding, and desertification to contextualise learning.
“Let us commit to this transformative effort. Through education, we can redefine the climate change narrative and create a more just and sustainable world,” he stated.
In his remarks, Mr. Atayi Babs, former National Network Coordinator of CSDevNet, said the initiative aimed to build the next generation of climate justice advocates through early engagement.
“To ensure sustainable activism, we must carry the next generation along. Involving children is the most effective succession plan,” Babs said.
He added that introducing climate justice into school curricula would deepen advocacy, particularly because Nigeria is one of the countries most affected by climate change.
Dr Onuche Unekwu, Senior Lecturer at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, outlined the workshop as a timely step to sensitise secondary school students on the implications of climate change and how to mitigate its effects.
“What we need to do is introduce the concept now so they can begin to tackle the negative impacts and help sustain the planet,” he said.
The Federal Government says about 14 million tonnes of plastic annually obstruct the world’s oceans, threatening Nigeria’s biodiversity, and impacting vital marine ecosystems.
Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment
Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, stated this on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at a training workshop for stakeholders on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with PROTEGO Project- The Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea.
The minister was represented by the Director-General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Mr. Saleh Abubakar.
He said that the event was a testament to the collective resolve and shared vision for a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Nigeria.
“The PROTEGO project which was inaugurated in July 2024 and will span to June 2027, will be a driving force in reducing plastic waste leakage into our precious oceans in Nigeria and Ghana,” he said.
Lawal said this would foster circular economy strategies, enhancing waste management, and building critical capacities.
‘The urgency of our mission cannot be overstated, given Nigeria’s vulnerability as a country with over 850 kilometres of Atlantic coastline.
“Annually, approximately 14 million tonnes of plastic choke the world’s oceans, threatening our biodiversity, impacting our vital marine ecosystems, and diminishing the beauty of our coastlines.
“This is a global challenge, but its solutions must be rooted locally, driven by innovation, and powered by unwavering commitment and collaboration by all stakeholders,” he said.
He said that EPR is not merely an environmental policy, but a fundamental paradigm shift that redefined responsibility, compelling producers to consider the entire lifecycle of their products.
“This is from design and manufacturing to consumption and, crucially, to post-consumer collection and recycling or end-of-life management.
“This mechanism is one of the cornerstones upon which a truly circular economy can be built,” he said.
The minister said that Nigeria had demonstrated clear foresight and leadership in embracing EPR.
“Our journey began with the foundational NESREA Act of 2007, which empowered NESREA as an agency of the Federal Government to enforce environmental standards, using appropriate measures, including the EPR principles.
“Indeed, we are on the verge of a major transformation,” he said.
He said that the National Guideline on EPR for the Packaging sector is set to take effect in 2025, along with a draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations of 2025.
“We will make EPR mandatory for all producers, importers, and brand owners in the packaging sector with a focus on problematic materials such as single-use plastics,” he said.
In a remark, Prof. Innocent Barikor, the Director-General of NESREA, said that the workshop was not only timely but strategic.
Barikor said the training was designed to deepen stakeholders’ collective understanding of EPR systems, equip them with practical tools to design, refine, and implement EPR programmes effectively.
He said that NESREA recognised that marine pollution and plastic waste remained pressing challenges that posed significant threats to the country’s ecosystems, public health, and economic sustainability.
“EPR has emerged globally as a proven and proactive policy instrument to address such challenges.
“It places the responsibility of post-consumer waste squarely where it belongs, on the producers.
“This model incentivises sustainable product design, fosters accountability, and ultimately reduces the burden on public waste management systems,” he said.
In a presentation, Mr. Gabriel Onyebuolise, Programme and Strategy Manager, WASTE Africa, Nigeria, said that the objective of the event was to reduce marine litter into the Gulf of Guinea as well as strengthen policies like the EPR.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the PROTEGO Project, Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea, are working together to reduce plastic waste leakage into the oceans of Nigeria and Ghana.
Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, made this disclosure during the event in Abuja.
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to protect Nigeria’s coastlines through the development of a comprehensive Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy.
Akwa Ibom State coastline
Mr. Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, stated this on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Abuja at a National Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the policy framework.
Kambari, who was represented by Mr. Kunle Awojemila, Deputy Director, Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management, said the policy was designed to ensure sustainable use and protection of the country’s coastal and marine resources.
“I express the Ministry’s full commitment to the policy development. We are determined to deliver an actionable framework that will safeguard our coastlines for present and future operations,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s coastal regions are not only ecologically important but also economically strategic, contributing greatly to livelihoods, commerce, and biodiversity.
“Unfortunately, these regions are under increasing pressure from climate change, rising sea levels, poor land-use practices, environmental degradation and frequent natural disasters,” he added.
Kambari called on policymakers, researchers, private sector stakeholders, and planners to treat the workshop as more than a dialogue forum, but as a platform for collective action.
“Let us ensure this policy is driven by evidence, inclusive planning, and prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable coastal communities,” he said.
In his remarks, Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management in the ministry, Mr. Usman Bokani, expressed concern over the growing threats facing Nigeria’s coastal zones.
Bokani, represented by Mr. Abdullahi Atta, Assistant Director, Coastal Zone Management, said the ICZM policy represents a transformative shift towards a structured and inclusive strategy for managing the nation’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
“Erosion, flooding, pollution, and climate change are undermining infrastructure, ecosystems, and human health in coastal areas,” he said.
He emphasised that the development of the policy is important for ensuring the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s coastlines, enhancing economic resilience, and improving the quality of life in coastal communities.
“With collaborative efforts and informed decision-making, we can build a more resilient and productive coastal management system,” he added.
A coalition of African leaders from government, finance, academia, and international development have launched the Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute (AGESI), a new pan-African “do-tank” designed to catalyse the continent’s shift to a sustainable and prosperous future.
Dr Eugene Itua, Executive Director, AGESI
The institute was unveiled during a high-level inaugural webinar themed “Setting the Stage for Africa’s Green Shift,” where speakers emphasised the need to move beyond policy discussions to the implementation of concrete, bankable projects.
The webinar was chaired by Emeritus Prof. Babajide Alo, AGESI Patron and Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. Declaring the event open, he captured the spirit of the day: “We have moved from an era of awareness to one of necessary action… See this webinar not as a passive event, but as the beginning of a vital collaboration.”
AGESI was introduced as a direct response to the continent’s most pressing question.
“The ambition is undeniable, yet a single question echoes across our continent: How? How do we move from ambition to concrete action?” asked Dr. Eugene Itua, the Executive Director of AGESI. “Today, we do not just launch an institute; we light a beacon… We are not a think-tank; we are a do-tank, built to cut through bureaucratic inertia and focus on tangible, life-changing results.”
AGESI performs the analytical role of a think-tank, but its defining purpose and measure of success is its ability to act as a do-tank – translating that intelligence into tangible action, executed projects, and a measurable green shift for Africa.
The launch drew endorsements from key institutions. Ms. Ijeoma Ozulumba, Executive Director/CFO of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), noted her institution’s unique position as the only Nigerian entity accredited to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
“AGESI was conceptualised to answer this question,” she stated, positioning the institute as a critical partner.
The Nigerian government offered its full support, with the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, represented by Ms. Aisha Odetoro, Director of Environmental Assessment, declaring AGESI a “vital and necessary partner.” She added, “Where government sets the direction, AGESI can help build the road.”
Support from global partners was emphatic. Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, noted that AGESI’s creation fulfills a key UNDP recommendation. This was echoed by Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Director at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), who celebrated AGESI as an institution capable of ensuring Africa’s voice is “our own” and derived from African realities. From the diaspora, Mark A.G. Brantley, Premier of Nevis, championed the need for South-South collaboration, stating, “The Caribbean stands with you as a committed partner.”
In a keynote address, Dr. Ibrahim Pam, Chairman of the World Bank Inspection Panel, warned that the greatest risk to Africa’s green transition is not finance but a “failure of governance.” He cautioned against a “green resource curse” and urged AGESI to champion Governance, Transparency, and Accountability as the “unshakable bedrock of integrity.”
The collaborative framework for AGESI’s mission became clear through remarks from its partners. Prof. Francis Bisong, representing Prof. Anthony Nyong, the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Director for Climate Change & Green Growth, framed the partnership in stark terms: “AGESI’s job is to be the catalyst… Our job at the African Development Bank is to finance the projects.”
This sentiment was matched by Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Chair of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, who committed the nation’s universities to serve as AGESI’s “core engine for innovation and human capital development.”
The dialogue was deepened by a “Davos-Style” expert panel moderated by Ms. Ozulumba. Ronald David Kayanja of the UN Information Centre urged AGESI to change the narrative about Africa’s capability. Amb. (Dr.) Safiya Nuhu stressed that inclusive governance must deliberately close gender gaps. Tomas Sales of the UNDP’s Africa Sustainable Finance Hub highlighted AGESI’s unique role as a neutral convener, while Mfon Ekong Usoro, a maritime governance expert, emphasised the link between the green and blue economies and the need for a domestic carbon market.
Dr. Othniel Yila of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub proposed national climate trust funds to empower communities. Finally, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of the Sterling One Foundation, outlined how AGESI could de-risk investments to unlock private sector capital.
With its formal launch, AGESI is now poised to begin the collaborative work of building Africa’s green future.
Shell Nigeria is celebrating Country Chair, Osagie Okunbor, who is retiring this month after 39 years of service. Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, including government functionaries, regulators, and chief executives of indigenous and international oil companies are joining to honour Okunbor at the milestone ceremonies which began in Abuja on Tuesday, June 24, 2025).
Osagie Okunbor
The dignitaries highlighted Okunbor’s contributions to the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria especially Nigerian content and playing key roles in Shell’s investments in Deep-water and Integrated Gas in Nigeria. Executive Vice President Nigeria, Marno de Jong, will take on the additional responsibilities of Country Chair Nigeria.
Marno said: “Osagie is a respected leader in Shell and the broader industry whose wise counsel and insights have proved invaluable. Over a career that has lasted nearly 40 years, Okunbor has related with a wide range of stakeholders, from communities to industry leaders, with empathy and excellent relational skills. We will all miss his presence and wish him a most enjoyable retirement.”
Okunbor said: “It has been an honour of a lifetime serving my country on a global platform offered by Shell. The Shell values of Honesty, Integrity and Respect for people have been useful in my modest contributions.”
A graduate of University of Benin in Business Administration, Okunbor joined Shell in 1986 and has served in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brunei and the Netherlands. He became Managing Director of the defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria in 2015.
His previous roles include Vice President, Infrastructure and Logistics in Nigeria, Vice President Human Resources, Sub-Saharan Africa and Senior Advisor, Upstream International Operated Business.
Okunbor has also been a key player in the Nigerian energy industry, serving as two-term Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Industry. He received the H.E. Dr Alirio Parra Lifetime Achievement Award in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry in 2022, among several other honours.
In a significant stride toward transforming Nigeria’s rural agricultural landscape, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, inaugurated the second phase of its rice farming support programme in Ebonyi State. The event, centred on the distribution of vital farming inputs, highlights the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening food systems, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and empowering smallholder farmers across Nigeria.
BATN Foundation has distributed 1,000 kg of high-quality rice seeds, 6,000 kg of fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides, and other essential inputs to 200 farmers in Ebonyi State
In 2024, BATN Foundation made remarkable headway by supporting 400 smallholder rice farmers across four communities in the state — Eketube Enyigba (Abakaliki LGA), Ndiokeda (Izzi LGA), Ogwulangwu (Ohaozara LGA), and Nduikbi (Ebonyi LGA). These farmers received targeted capacity building through hands-on training, demonstration plots, and field days designed to promote improved agronomic practices.
Now, in 2025, the Foundation’s efforts are intensifying with a strategic intervention that saw the distribution of 1,000 kg of high-quality rice seeds, 6,000 kg of fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides, and other essential inputs to 200 farmers, selected from the initial cohort for this planting season. The support aims to cultivate at least 20 hectares of rice.
Looking ahead, BATN Foundation plans a third phase in 2026, envisaged as an enterprise development initiative. This phase aims to support 100 farmers with inputs to cultivate 100 hectares of rice, coupled with market linkage services to ensure sustainable income streams. Such steps are crucial in creating resilient farming communities capable of weathering climatic and market challenges.
Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATNF, emphasised the importance of grassroots empowerment.
“Our interventions are designed not only to provide immediate support but also to foster long-term resilience and self-sufficiency among smallholder farmers. We believe that with adequate resources, knowledge, and market access, these farmers can uplift their communities and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s food security,” he stated.
He further commended partnerships with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture and Ecofield Agrolink Enterprises, highlighting the collective effort required to sustain and scale such impactful interventions. Since 2002, BATNF has invested over ₦4 billion in rural agricultural development, positively impacting over 1.7 million farmers nationwide. The Foundation’s strategic focus continues to be on elevating smallholder farmers’ productivity while fostering sustainable practices that secure their livelihoods long-term.
Addressing the farmers directly, Odusanya expressed gratitude for their resilience and trust. “Your dedication and hard work are the backbone of Nigeria’s food security. We are proud to support your journey and look forward to celebrating your successes in this planting season and beyond,” he affirmed.
The ongoing partnership between BATNF and Ebonyi State exemplifies how collaborative efforts, targeted interventions, and strategic investments can drive agricultural transformation. As the foundation looks forward to expanding its programmes, the focus remains on nurturing smallholder farmers into catalysts of Nigeria’s sustainable development.
In what looks like a landmark move to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has entered into a strategic partnership with Southwest Agribusiness Company Limited (SWAgCo), a leading agribusiness investment arm of Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL).
BATN Foundation partners with SWAgCo
This collaboration aims to revolutionise smallholder farming by leveraging innovative investments and comprehensive support programmes designed to unlock the region’s full agricultural potential. The partnership signifies more than just capital as it embodies a shared vision to transform rural livelihoods, boost food security, and foster sustainable economic growth across Southwest Nigeria.
At its core is a commitment to empowering smallholder farmers through access to quality inputs, modern training, and market linkages.
“Our collaboration with SWAgCo is a massive step toward redefining how agriculture supports rural communities. Together, we are not only investing in crops but investing in the people, the backbone of Nigeria’s food production,” said Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATNF.
At the heart of this partnership is a groundbreaking ₦65 million Smallholder Maize Scheme in Ekiti State. The initiative targets 100 farmers and offers a comprehensive package: inputs such as quality seeds and fertilisers, capacity-building training, and robust market access to ensure these farmers can translate their efforts into sustainable income.
Odusanya stressed that this scheme exemplifies how strategic investments can ignite rural enterprise, foster job creation, and catalyse economic diversification especially in the Southwest region, a vital hub of Nigeria’s agricultural development.
On his part, Dr. Theo Adewale Onadeko, Chief Executive Officer of SWAgCo, said that the company’s recent launch of a ₦10 billion agribusiness drive highlights a shared commitment to industrialise agriculture and unlock the full potential of Southwest Nigeria. This initiative, he added, is more than just funding; it’s about cultivating a resilient and innovative agricultural ecosystem.
Commenting on the partnership with BATNF, he said: “Our partnership with BATNF aligns perfectly with our goal of transforming smallholder farming into a lucrative, sustainable enterprise. We are committed to supporting hardworking farmers who are vital to Nigeria’s food security and economic growth.”
The collaboration highlights a strategic alignment that combines Odu’a Investment’s regional influence, SWAgCo’s investment capacity, and BATNF’s track record of impactful community support. The collective aim is clear: to elevate smallholders, modernise agricultural practices, and make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more competitive and resilient.
When asked what she would do differently to solve the issue of plastic pollution and poor waste management in Nigeria if she were in a position to do so, Lauretta Boniface, Executive Director of the Ecocykle Development Foundation (EDF), said she would involve more young people in the conversation.
Participants in the one-day empowerment and sensitisation programme organised by the Ecocykle Development Foundation (EDF) in partnership with the French Embassy in Uke, a small village in Nasarawa State, north-central region of Nigeria.
“Because as young people, we have innovations and creativity in our hearts,” she continued, reinforcing her belief that putting them at the centre of the discussion can create significant change.
Speaking on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Uke, a rural community in Nasarawa State, where she led a group of stakeholders as part of her organisation’s efforts to commemorate 2025 World Environment Day, Boniface revealed that the purpose of their visit was to conduct a one-day programme to raise awareness and build women’s capacity to turn plastic waste into useful products such as handbags, shoes and earrings.
The issue of plastic pollution continues to be a serious threat to both human and environmental health on a global scale. Nigeria is not an exception to this alarming crisis, as numerous studies have shown that the country is the second-largest plastic polluter in the world, after India.
With this understanding, it is evident that EDF is progressing well in its mission to empower communities, particularly women and young people, by demonstrating that waste can generate income and create livelihoods.
The event’s theme, “Plastics to Creative Crafts in Communities”, exemplifies the organisation’s unending ambition to provide solutions that will put an end to the age of plastic contamination in the country and beyond.
In response to the programme’s theme, the EDF’s executive director stated that it was inspired by previous projects her organisation has undertaken, such as recycling plastics to create interlocking tiles and furniture. It is also to expand into other eco-friendly areas that can be recycled using plastic, such as paper bags, wristwatches, and handbands, as well as jewellery, which women are particularly concerned about due to fashion.
“This is what inspired the focus – training them on what they already have their interests in,” Boniface added, to illustrate how the problem can be tackled, as plastic was initially introduced to address packaging issues, rather than the devastating consequences it has since caused.
In addition to raising awareness and empowering communities to address the problems caused by plastic pollution, she urged public and private sector stakeholders to work together to implement existing policies and ensure that new ones resonate with and suit the needs of the people – rather than “copy and paste”, as has been seen in many cases – to help them collectively tackle this environmental threat.
Civic education about responsible plastic use and management helps people understand and deal with the effects of the climate disaster while also giving them the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes they need to be change agents. According to the environmental advocate, it is fundamental to educate the public about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution because everyone is just addressing their daily issues and is unaware of the numerous global solutions.
“So, bringing this type of programme to local communities, as we have done in Uke, is also about raising awareness and empowering them to understand global issues so they can adopt and domesticate these concepts,” she explained, to ensure that their actions support sustainability.
Muhammad Isa Bello, Director General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), thanked EDF and the French Embassy for bringing the programme to his state, emphasising that the beneficiaries will be able to work for themselves due to the knowledge they have gained.
He went on to say that the Nasarawa state government is developing a plan to cooperate with interested partners such as the Dangote Group to collect plastic garbage for proper processing, create jobs, and reduce crime in society.
“Today is one of my happiest days to witness this in Uke, to show our people’s talent; I highly appreciate it,” he said, vowing that the government will do everything in its power to assist individuals who have been trained in these talents for sustainability.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Obinna Nweze, Programme Director for the Ecosteward Foundation (EHF), the event is significant because it addresses two major issues: plastic pollution and empowering women and young people to overcome poverty.
Nweze explained in his presentation titled “Rethinking Plastic Packaging and Pollution Issues in Nigeria” that the issue of plastic pollution is quite broad because it impacts not only the environment but also human health, social justice, and other factors.
“So, if we don’t take some of these issues very critically, it is something that is going to be a menace to the community and country at large,” he stated.
Labaran Gero, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed her satisfaction that the information she and other members of the community have gained will help them improve their financial situation and support their families.
“We are very happy for their coming here today to enlighten and empower us on how to stand on our feet,” she said, promising to share her newly learnt knowledge with other members of her family and community at large.
Every year, World Environment Day (WED) is observed to call global attention to the myriad concerns confronting the environment. Teaching people how to turn plastic waste into wealth, as EDF and the Embassy of France have done in the Uke village, is completely consistent with the theme of this year’s event, “Ending Global Plastic Pollution”, to safeguard the ecosystem.
The Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) has announced the commencement of the second subnational climate governance performance ranking.
Some of the participants at the DCC and SPP virtual workshop
The processes started on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with a virtual workshop organised by the DCC and the SPP to inform state climate change desk officers, directors, permanent secretaries, and climate focal persons of the improved ranking methodology and project timeline.
The virtual meeting was attending by over 40 officials from across the 36 states of the federation.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the DCC, emphasised the importance of the ranking as a tool for assessing and promoting best practices in climate governance at the subnational level. She stated that the data collected on the process is also vital for shaping national climate policy and guiding implementation.
The Director said that the Minister of Environment considers the first subnational climate governance ranking one of the key achievements of the ministry and is fully supportive of the effort to run the process again this year.
Dr. Abiola-Awe commended the dedication and commitment of the climate change desk officers and stressed the importance of strategic partnerships and capacity building for enhancing climate resilience.
“The journey toward climate resilience is complex and demands collective resolve, innovative solutions, and strong partnerships. The performance ranking offers a unique lens for evaluating our progress, identifying gaps, and sharing successful strategies. This second edition will deepen our understanding, inspire stronger commitments, and strengthen governance mechanisms that are inclusive, transparent, and effective,” she said.
In his address, the President of the SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, acknowledged the desk officers’ role in facilitating the first subnational climate governance ranking and rating through the commitment and effort they put into completing the survey questionnaires. He described them as the real heroes of the initiative, adding that the inaugural rating and ranking is generating attention and attracting global interests.
“The subnational climate governance rating and ranking is a highly innovative project – perhaps the first of its kind in Africa. I am therefore not surprised that the Honourable Minister recognizes the importance of this highly innovative project, and has embraced it as one of his major flagship achievements,” he said.
Prof. Okereke stated that because the ranking was gaining a lot of interest, it is important to make methodological improvements to ensure its legitimacy.
He stated that the revisions to the method for this year include the establishment of a review and quality assurance panel comprising of high calibre national and international climate governance experts and emphasis on one submission from each state which must have final endorsement of the honourable commissioner or permanent secretary.
He said that the ranking methodology would be revised to give more weight to climate project implementation and that the organisers are speaking with international development partners about how to increase the reward given to the wining states.
Professor Okereke announced that, in parallel to the rating and ranking exercise, SPP would be working with the DCC to mount a range of capacity building trainings and workshops for the state desk officers and commissioners of environment in the country.
“We should remember that the main goal here is not to single out and shame underperformers, but to foster a spirit of collaboration, encourage all states to do better, recognize the ones that are doing well, and give opportunities to the ones that are lagging behind to see what the people ahead are doing and to copy from them,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Environmental and Natural Resources in Ekiti State and Chairperson, Committee of Commissioners for Environment, praised the initiative and pledged Ekiti State’s full cooperation in providing accurate and timely data for the ranking.
Desk officers took turn to give their commendations to DCC and SPP on the ranking project, and vouched to work with their principals to submit accurate data and also to make themselves available for the training and capacity building programmes.
Launched in July 2024, with states like Lagos, Gombe, Ebonyi, Borno and Ekiti as high performers, the subnational governance rating and ranking initiative aims to streamline and catalyse climate action at the subnational level through a systematic, rigorous and robust ranking and rating process.
The second edition will build on this momentum to achieve its goal of empowering subnational governments and improving climate change governance across Nigeria.
