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WaterAid, Bwari Council allocate N521m for WASH in six PHCs

Michael Simire
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WaterAid, Bwari Council allocate N521m for WASH in six PHCs

WaterAid Nigeria, in collaboration with the Bwari Area Council, has earmarked more than N500 million for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in six Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

WaterAid
A cross-section of participants at the one-day Validation Workshop on Local Investment Plans for WASH in Bwari Area Council.

The proposal was presented at a one-day “Validation Workshop on Local Investment Plans (LIP) for Six Primary Healthcare Institutions” on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Abuja.

The selected PHCs for this pilot project are Dutse-Alhaji, Owner Occupier, Sabon-Gari, Byazhin, Dei-dei, and Ushafa.

The total proposed budget for the Local Investment Plan (LIP) is N521,655,000.

This funding aims to enhance WASH services, environmental cleaning, health waste management, and monitoring and evaluation across the selected centres. The investment plan is set to cover the period from 2025 to 2030.

Mr. Nampet Chuktu, WaterAid Head of Programmes, highlighted the importance of collaborating with stakeholders to ensure accurate documentation and validation of the investment plans, which would also help in advocating for future budget releases.

“This is so that we are not guessing what is needed or what should be in place each year.

“Instead, we will be able to determine what should be at the centres because it has been validated and documented. With this document, we can advocate for budget release,” he said.

Chuktu urged the representatives of each PHC at the workshop to help facilitate the process and ensure that the overseeing authority at the FCT Primary Health Secretariat properly situates the document.

He also noted that WaterAid, with funding support from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Charities, would finance 30 per cent of the project, while the council would finance 70 per cent.

Mr. Kabiru Abbas, a consultant, emphasised the need for critical infrastructural development to improve WASH services in the PHCs.

He explained that the development of a WASH investment plan would help secure funding for the improvement of healthcare services and contribute to achieving Social Development Goals in the area.

“The LIP is a comprehensive plan for achieving the Social Development Goals within the area council.

“The state of WASH services in health institutions in Bwari Area Council has been precarious and requires significant investment in infrastructure,” he said.

He explained that the LIP was the result of a participatory process involving the assessment of gaps, setting priorities, timelines, and identifying the resources needed to achieve the set objectives.

“It is also evidence-based, life-cycle costed, and developed through a participatory approach involving a mix of stakeholders,” he added.

The Head of Administration of the Bwari Area Council, Mr. Isa Musa, assured swift action in adopting the document on behalf of the council chairman.

“WaterAid Nigeria has already supported a 12-month project focused on enhancing WASH facilities in Bwari’s PHCs, including constructing and rehabilitating water and sanitation facilities.

“This project is part of WaterAid’s broader sustainability strategy to maintain the WASH improvements in the council over the next six years.”

The event was attended by officials from various council departments, PHC managers, traditional leaders, and other WASH collaborators.

By Veronica Dariya

Green Climate Fund set to implement seven new projects

Michael Simire
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Green Climate Fund set to implement seven new projects

Seven new project agreements were signed during the Green Climate Fund’s 41st Board meeting (B.41), which took place from February 17 to 20, 2025.

Barbados
Approving the “Barbados Climate Resilient South Coast Water Reclamation Project (SCWRP)” with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

At the Fund’s first Board meeting of the year, the Board approved $686.8 million ($1.5 billion with co-financing) in GCF investment for 11 new projects in 42 countries. This brings the GCF portfolio to 297 projects in 133 countries, with a total GCF funding amount of $16.6 billion and $62.7 billion with co-financing. 

Of the 11 projects, agreements for five projects were immediately signed between GCF and its Accredited Entity (AE) partners at a signing ceremony on February 20, with the sixth signed by the AE remotely earlier in the day. The ceremony also included the signing for a project approved at the 40th Board meeting last October.

GCF has reportedly been working to speed up its processes to deliver climate projects to communities more efficiently and effectively as part of its transformational agenda to increase the Fund’s efficiency and impact. This includes expediting the process for the negotiation and signing of the project agreement or Funded Activity Agreement (FAA), which must be signed by GCF and the Accredited Entity (AE) for the project to begin implementation.

The projects set for implementation include GCF’s first single-country project in Serbia, climate-resilient agriculture projects in Mali and Kenya, a multi-country project targeting food loss in Africa, a tuna adaptation project in the Pacific, and a debt-for-climate conversion project in Barbados.

In addition, three new projects received their first disbursement. Projects in Kenya and Serbia and a multi-country project in Africa (RE-GAIN) were rapidly turned around, from board approval to the signing of project agreements to disbursement, in about a week.

  1. FP255: Transforming Livelihoods through Climate Resilient, Low Carbon, Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc, Kenya with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)

This project aims to promote climate-resilient, low-carbon, environmentally sustainable, and financially viable agricultural value chains by expediting the transfer of technology, knowledge, assets, and services.

It emphasises empowering agri-food cooperatives as pivotal agents of rural transformation. Activities will focus on enabling local government support for adaptation and mitigation, investing in community-led, sustainable agricultural landscape management and restoration, increasing smallholder farmers’ resilience, and improving their market access.

2. FP256: Intensification of Agriculture and Agroforestry Techniques (IAAT) for Climate Resilient Food and Nutrition Security: Tombouctou, Gao, Mopti, Koulikoro and Segou regions of Mali with Save the Children Australia

The project’s objective is to improve the food, nutrition and water security of smallholder farmers in five highly climate-vulnerable regions of Mali. It will focus on increased access to and use of inclusive climate-resilient production practices and technologies in agricultural and agroforestry systems.

The project will increase smallholder farmers’ awareness of climate risks and their capacity to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques, create sustainable markets for CSA and agroforestry products and strengthen the institutional capacities of government entities and communities at local, regional and national levels.

3. FP257: RE-GAIN: Scaling solutions for food loss in Africa with AGRA

RE-GAIN aims to strengthen smallholder farmers’ climate resilience and adaptive capacity by promoting the wide-scale adoption of food loss reduction solutions (FL-RS). This involves engaging both the demand and supply sides, emphasising market creation, enhancement, and active participation from the private sector.

Key activities will include increasing the demand for and encouraging the adoption of FL-RS by farmers in seven countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia), enhancing the supply and affordability of FL-RS, and fostering an enabling environment for its large-scale adoption.

4. FP259: Adapting tuna-dependent Pacific Island communities and economies to climate change with Conservation International Foundation

This project will build resilience in tuna-dependent economies and communities by addressing food insecurity and economic risks caused by climate change. It will achieve this by enhancing access to tuna for coastal and urban communities, strengthening national fisheries systems, and improving forecasting to manage tuna redistribution effectively.

Key activities will include technical support for Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) deployment, fisher training, post-harvest improvement; policy development, improved handling, and market opportunities; and using science-based forecasts and projections to reduce uncertainty in climate change-driven tuna redistribution.

5. FP260: Enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests to ensure energy security of the most vulnerable while contributing to their livelihoods and carbon sequestration (FOREST Invest) with FAO

This project will promote sustainable, climate-adaptive forestry by fostering public-private collaboration, strengthening forest governance, and supporting vulnerable communities. Climate-sensitive investments will enhance forest ecosystems, bolster energy security, and reduce carbon emissions, enabling Serbia to achieve its adaptation and mitigation goals while ensuring low-carbon development and resilient livelihoods. It will also facilitate private sector engagement and finance in adaptation and mitigation investments.

6. FP251: Barbados Climate Resilient South Coast Water Reclamation Project (SCWRP) with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

This project aims to increase Barbados’ water resilience to climate change. Its focus is on increasing water security, food sovereignty, and improving environmental conditions, particularly those of small-scale farmers and residents. Critical infrastructure, such as the South Coast Water Treatment Plant, will be upgraded to efficiently deliver reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation and aquifer recharge.

The project introduces a novel financing approach through a “Debt-for-Climate Conversion” or debt swap, which will create fiscal space and generate savings over time, allowing Barbados to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.

7. SAP049: Sustainable Communities for Climate Action in the Yucatán Peninsula (ACCIÓN) with Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza A.C. (FMCN)

The project aims to increase the climate resilience of vulnerable communities, ecosystems, and productive systems in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It will support locally led Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) interventions that enhance biodiversity, reduce climate vulnerability, and sustain essential ecosystem services.

Some key activities include financing 10 sub-projects to conserve, restore, and improve productive practices to increase communities’ adaptive capacities in coastal and marine landscapes, mobilising financing to scale up community-level activities, and knowledge sharing and enhanced coordination among local stakeholders, national agencies, and NGOs.

Emissions from building sector stopped rising for the first time since 2020 – UN

Michael Simire
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Emissions from building sector stopped rising for the first time since 2020 – UN

A growing number of countries are working to decarbonise buildings, but sluggish progress and financing puts global climate goals at risk. These are the key findings of an annual review of the buildings and construction sector, published on Monday, March 17, 2025, by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC).

Decarbonised building
Decarbonised building

Decarbonise buildings means to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings. This can be done by improving energy efficiency, electrifying equipment and appliances, using renewable energy sources, and choosing low-carbon or carbon-storing materials.

The “Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 – Not just another brick in the wall” highlights progress made on related global climate goals and calls for greater ambition on six challenges, including building energy codes, renewable energy, and financing. Global frameworks and initiatives such as Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate, the Buildings Breakthrough and the Declaration de Chaillot are sustaining momentum towards adopting ambitious climate action plans, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), for net-zero buildings ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil.

“The buildings where we work, shop and live account for a third of global emissions and a third of global waste,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “The good news is that government actions are working. But we must do more and do it faster. I encourage all countries to include plans to rapidly cut emissions from buildings and construction in their new NDCs.”

Reviewing the decade since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the report finds 2023 was the first year when continued growth of building construction was decoupled from associated sector greenhouse gas emissions, which have previously plateaued.

By adopting mandatory building energy codes aligned with net-zero emissions, mandatory performance standards and seizing energy efficiency investments, the sector’s energy intensity has reduced by almost 10% while the renewable energy share in final energy demand has increased by nearly 5%.

Additional measures such as circular construction practices, green leases, energy efficient retrofitting of existing buildings, and prioritising the use of low carbon materials can further reduce energy consumption, enhance waste management and reduce emissions overall.   

Despite this progress, the sector remains a key driver of the climate crisis, consuming 32 per cent of global energy and contributing to 34 per cent of global CO2 emissions. The sector is dependent on materials like cement and steel that are responsible for 18% of global emissions and are a major source of construction waste. 

Given nearly half of the world’s buildings that will exist by 2050 have not yet been built, the adoption of ambitious energy building codes is critical. However, data points to a recent decline in highly effective measures like heat pump installations and over 50 per cent of newly constructed floorspace in emerging and developing economies is still not covered by building codes.

The report sets out a challenge to major carbon-emitting countries to adopt zero-carbon building energy codes by 2028, to be followed by all other countries no later than 2035. Building codes and integrating building code reform plans in the ongoing submission of NDCs are critical to achieve the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge. 

Finally, all governments, financial institutions and businesses need to work together to double global building energy efficiency investment from $270 billion to $522 billion by 2030. Adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility measures, and circular economy practices – including longer building lifespans, better material efficiency and reuse, recycling, passive design, and waste management – are key to help bridge gaps in financing, while workforce development programmes are essential to fill skill gaps in the sector.

UNEP, GlobalABC members, and other partners will continue to support countries and businesses to decarbonise new and existing buildings and the entire building value chain, including using this data to support ambitious NDCs ahead of COP30.

Over 47m people sign up call for clean air action for better health

Michael Simire
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Over 47m people sign up call for clean air action for better health

In what appears to be an unprecedented show of unity, more than 47 million health professionals, patients, advocates, representatives from civil society organisations, and individuals worldwide have signed a resounding call for urgent action to reduce air pollution and to protect people’s health from its devastating impacts.

Generator Pollution
The WHO says that, in one year, 46,750 persons died as a result of outdoor pollution in Nigeria

Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health and a major contributor to climate change. Around 7 million people die from air pollution each year, mainly from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

This global call to action, spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international health organisations will be presented at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, set to take place in Cartagena, Colombia, from March 25 to 27, 2025.

“Forty-seven million people from the health community have issued a clarion call for urgent, bold, science-driven action on air pollution, and their voices must be heard,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Around the world, WHO is supporting countries to implement evidence-based tools to address air pollution and prevent the disease it causes. At the second WHO Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, we hope to see concrete commitments from countries to implement those tools and save lives.”

Hosted by WHO and the Government of Colombia, the conference will bring together political leaders, representatives from civil society organisations, UN agencies and academia to drive a global clean air agenda which promises benefits for public health, climate change response and sustainable development, both globally and locally.

Recognising the heavy toll of air pollution, the health community is calling on governments to take immediate and ambitious steps to reduce emissions, enforce stricter air quality standards, and transition to cleaner energy sources, unlocking multiple benefits for the health of people and planet. The topic will also be a focus ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), where world leaders will be called upon to take stronger action.

Key facts:

  • Air pollution in both cities and rural areas generates fine particulate matter which results in NCDs such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases as well as acute conditions such as pneumonia.  
  • Around 2.1 billion people are exposed to dangerous levels of household air pollution, while using polluting open fires or stoves for cooking.
  • Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), are among the leading causes of death, many are linked to air pollution exposure. The global NCD epidemic claims 41 million lives annually. Addressing air pollution is a key strategy in reducing the burden of NCDs and improving global health.
  • Sources of air pollution are varied and context-specific. The major pollution sources include polluting energy sources used in homes, energy production, industrial emissions, transport, agriculture, waste as well as natural sources such as desert and dust storms or wildfires.

Improving air quality by implementing well-known and available solutions will prevent premature deaths, improve health, drive sustainable economic development, and mitigate climate change.

At the conference, countries are expected to commit to concrete measures, including setting and enforcing stronger air quality standards aligned with the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines. WHO, in collaboration with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), has unveiled the updated 2025 Air Quality Standards database last month, which now includes data from approximately 140 countries, showcasing their air pollution regulatory efforts aimed at protecting public health.

“While the challenge is immense, progress is possible. Many cities and countries have significantly improved air quality by enforcing stricter pollution limits,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health. “Clean air is not a privilege; it is a human right as recognized by the UN General Assembly. We need to work together urgently to scale up transitioning from coal-fired power to renewable energy, expanding public and sustainable transport, establishing low-emission zones in cities and promoting clean energy for cooking and solar power in healthcare facilities.”

“The commitments made at the upcoming Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health and the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs will play a crucial role in paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Now is the time to take the call and step up efforts for cleaner air, everywhere,” submitted the WHO.

ECA advocates coordinated regional strategy for Africa’s food security

Michael Simire
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ECA advocates coordinated regional strategy for Africa’s food security

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) says a unified regional approach will guarantee food security in Eastern Africa and overcome persistent trade barriers.

Andrew Mold
ECA’s acting Director in Eastern Africa, Andrew Mold

ECA’s acting Director in Eastern Africa, Andrew Mold, said this in a statement published on the Commission’s website.

He spoke during a side event at the 57th session of the ECA’s Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The event had the theme, “Food Security and Cross-Border Trade: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities Amid the Implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”.

The theme highlighted the region’s shift from being a net food exporter in the early 2000s to a net importer, with significant disparities among countries.

Mold noted that while some nations, such as Tanzania and Uganda, had emerged as leading food exporters – particularly in commodities like maize – other countries continued to struggle with food insecurity.

Farayi Zimudzi, Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), stressed the urgency of increasing agricultural productivity to keep pace with rapid population growth.

She advocated for greater investment in research and development, particularly in high-yield crop varieties and improved livestock production.

Channing Arndt, Director of the Centre for Global Trade Analysis, noted that high tariffs and non-tariff barriers continued to impede the free movement of agricultural products across Africa.

Experts at the event highlighted the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in boosting intra-regional food trade, particularly in processed agri-food products.

They called for strengthened regional cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, the removal of trade barriers, and increased investment in agricultural development.

ECA simulations suggest that with full implementation of the AfCFTA, intra-continental food trade could increase by over 60 percent by 2045, providing a major boost to food security in Eastern Africa and across the continent.

By Lucy Ogalue

Cooking gas: Abuja residents differ on use of charcoal, firewood as alternatives

Michael Simire
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Cooking gas: Abuja residents differ on use of charcoal, firewood as alternatives

Some residents in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday, March 17, 2025, differed in the use of charcoal and firewood as alternatives to cooking gas.

Charcoal
Charcoal

Some residents who spoke said that they resolved to charcoal and firewood because they last longer.

They said this was in spite of the reduction in the price of cooking gas in the area, which now sells for N1,150 per kilogramme and N14,300 for 12.5kg, against N15,750 and N16,400 in January.

A bag of charcoal sells for N9,000, while firewood costs between N250 to N300 per piece.

A mini truck of firewood, containing about 20 pieces, ranges between N10,000 and N13,000 in price.

Mrs. Sarah Matthew, a resident of Piyawe community in Bwari, said that although she got her gas cylinder for free from a non-governmental organisation (NGO), refueling it had not been easy.

“In 2021, an NGO came here to sensitise us on the use of gas instead of unclean fuels that are harmful to us, especially through inhalation, and advising us to also stop cutting down trees.

“Then, with N3,500 or N4,000, you could fill your cylinder, but not anymore. We cannot even access it directly at the depot in Bwari because of the distance, so we buy from retailers, which is more expensive.

“My problem is that it doesn’t last long, and you’re back to refueling again. But a bag of charcoal lasts twice as long as I can use a refill of gas, and I can manage it to last even longer,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs. Shekwoyemi Solomon, another resident, said that she had to put her cylinder aside and resume using firewood as that was her family’s initial method of cooking.

She said firewood was a better option for her, in spite of the air pollution, because it was affordable and easier to manage.

According to her, many women in the community, including those in Bwari town, now alternate their cooking options due to changes in prices and resource availability.

”What works for me might not work for others who see using gas as a luxury and are willing to go out of their way to afford and use it.

“For us in this community, we are okay with our charcoal and firewood.”

However, Mrs. Anna Jacob, another resident, said that using charcoal or firewood was not an option for her.

“I cannot stand the stress and pollution that come from using charcoal or firewood.

“The price of gas has reduced in the past months, and it is my prayer and hope that it will continue to go further down to a more affordable price, like it was in the past,” she said.

In the same vein, Mr. Joseph Olagunju, an environmental expert and an advocate for the use of clean energy, said that the high cost of cooking gas had forced most people to resort to cutting down trees for fuel.

“‘The resultant effects of these activities may increase emissions and deforestation.

“‘This is against our campaign for tree planting; and with fewer communities having flora and trees, people are more likely to absorb methane gases released into the atmosphere.

“I believe that one of the best ways to reach out to people who are still dependent on trees for fuel is to reduce LPG prices and make it affordable to households at all levels,” he said.

Olagunju, who described charcoal and firewood as unclean fuels, said they were dangerous, adding that their effects were not instant but gradual.

By Veronica Dariya

NCDMB lists actions taken to address Sterling Oil’s non-compliance issues

Michael Simire
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0
NCDMB lists actions taken to address Sterling Oil’s non-compliance issues

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says it has noted the comments made by the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr. Festus Osifo, during the union’s recent protest at the headquarters of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), at Victoria Island, Lagos, over alleged anti-labour practices and expatriate abuses by the company.

Felix Omatsola Ogbe
Felix Omatsola Ogbe, head of the NCDMB

NCDMB commends the PENGASSAN leader for acknowledging that qualified Nigerian personnel are occupying top leadership and technical positions in most international and indigenous operating oil and gas companies and are performing creditably in those roles.

He noted rightly that Nigerians are executing complex functions in the floating production and storage and offloading (FPSO) platforms like Bonga, Agbami, USAN, AKPO, Egina, etc. Indeed, Nigerian oil and gas workers performed almost all operations in the oil and gas industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and kept the industry afloat, after most expatriates returned to their home countries.

These feats were accomplished through NCDMB’s strategic implementation and enforcement of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, particularly the Expatriate Quota, Succession Plan and Deployment of Expatriates Guidelines and Expatriate Work Temporary Work Permit Guidelines.

The successes were also enabled by the several Nigerian Content capacity building interventions that prepared and placed qualified Nigerians in key positions in the oil and gas industry. Through enforcement and compliance oversight, the Board ensured that 609 technical positions were Nigerianised for the period 2020-2024.

The NCDMB submitted: “We are delighted that PENGASSAN served as a whistle blower over the alleged expatriate quota abuse by the management of Sterling Oil, and we assure the union and the general public that we would investigate the matter exhaustively and take necessary actions.

“We can confirm that NCDMB had sanctioned SEEPCO a few years ago for gross violations of the NOGICD Act. Recently, we have been engaging the company for the same reasons. Our regulatory engagements with the firm are outlined below.”

  1. In 2017, the NCDMB identified five expatriates deployed by SEEPCO without obtaining the relevant NCDMB approvals. As a result, NCDMB penalized the company for this non-compliant deployment of expatriates. To remediate this, SEEPCO trained five Nigerians in Marine Engineering and Subsurface Drilling Engineering for nine months.
  2. In 2018, NCDMB identified 402 expatriates deployed by SEEPCO without approval. Additionally, NCDMB discovered projects, contracts, and purchase orders from multiple projects that were awarded and executed without appropriate approvals. NCDMB penalised SEEPCO for these infractions and directed SEEPCO and its affiliates to take the following actions:
  • Disengage the 402 expatriates and provide evidence of their disengagement and exit to the Board.
  • Commence and comply with the NCDMB Expatriate Quota application process.
  • Comply with the Board’s requirements for tendering and awarding projects, contracts, and purchase orders.
  • Complete the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) reconciliation exercise and pay outstanding remittances.
  • Submit up-to-date statutory reports on Nigerian Content and comply with the review process.
  • Train and employ 40 Nigerians as part of the remediation/penalty.

3. Regrettably SEEPCO ignored those directives until the Board commenced legal proceedings against the firm, in line with section 68 of the NOGICD Act.

4. In 2020, SEEPCO sought an out-of-court settlement and committed to addressing the compliance issues and undertaking the remediation. SEEPCO completed the training of 40 Nigerians in 2022, but the employment commitment was not achieved. Additionally, SEEPCO made only partial NCDF remittances.

5. SEEPCO has refused to respond and comply with other Nigerian Content requirements.

6. In 2023, SEEPCO obtained Expatriate Quota approval from the Board for three positions.

7. From our records SEEPCO has been granted only seven expatiate positions between 2017 to 2023.

8. The Board has requested for statutory submissions from SEEPCo and scheduled performance review session for March 2025.

Conclusion

NCDMB Expatriate Quota approvals and compliance and enforcement is applicable to only companies with investments or executing projects in the oil and gas industry. Non-oil and gas Expatriate Quota utilisation does not come to the Board, but rather directly to the Ministry of Interior.

NCDMB is committed to the effective implementation and enforcement of the NOGICD Act in the oil and gas sector, with a view to creating employment opportunities for Nigerians, deepening Nigerian Content and boosting the economy.

The Board will not fail to sanction firms that flagrantly flout provisions of the NOGICD Act. The Board welcomes collaboration of stakeholders, including oil unions towards achieving the intendments of the NOGICD Act.

Just Transition: Climate Secretariat seeks stakeholders’ support to boost guideline development

Michael Simire
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Just Transition: Climate Secretariat seeks stakeholders’ support to boost guideline development

The National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) has urged key environmental actors to collaborate on the development of a just transition guideline that will promote inclusive climate action, ensure social equity, and, most importantly, drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.

NCCCS
Some participants at the NCCCS stakeholders’ workshop

Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director General of the NCCCS, made the call on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Abuja during a workshop organised by her organisation to brainstorm on how to best achieve the aforementioned goal, which she said would require active cooperation from the government, private sector stakeholders, civil society, and development partners.

The DG, who was represented by the Council Secretariat’s Director, Mrs. Halima Bawa-Bwari, at the event supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), added that the projected just transition guidelines would be instrumental through socially responsible and economically viable strategies, with nature-based solutions playing a vital role in enhancing climate resilience, restoring the ecosystem, and creating sustainable green jobs.

A just transition framework, she explained, would ensure that the transition to renewable energy and a low-carbon future is consistent with this goal by incorporating policies that protect workers and communities, particularly those reliant on fossil-fuel-based sectors.

“By leveraging our natural assets such as mangroves, we can ensure that climate action goes hand in hand with economic growth, improved food security, and environmental sustainability,” said Dr. Maduekwe, who also serves as the country’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change.

Speaking on the subject, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Department of Climate Change (DCC), described the upcoming guideline as a critical document that will lay out Nigeria’s path to transition away from fossil fuels and towards a more environmentally friendly economy.

In the same vein as the DG, she advocated for equality by making sure that all interested parties were included and kept informed throughout the guideline formulation process.

“The Ministry will provide necessary support for a good document for an effective and efficient drive of just transition in Nigeria,” the director of the DCC promised.

In a joint statement, the ILO, UNDP, and UNIDO noted that developing a Just Transition Action Plan or Roadmap as a national guideline for all sectors is essential for addressing the problems and possibilities connected with the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.

Mr. Stephen Agugua, who delivered the speech on behalf of the three UN entities, stated that Nigeria is dedicated to its international obligations, particularly the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to combat climate change and promote sustainable development in the country.

A well-designed roadmap, according to him, would build upon and align with the existing policy frameworks, providing a coherent and strategic approach to the transition of Nigeria to a low-carbon economy.

“The Nigerian government has already taken significant steps towards sustainable development and climate action. Such as the ongoing revision of the National Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Development Plan (NDP), and the establishment of a National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), demonstrate the commitment to climate change and promote sustainable economic growth,” he said.

Dr. Peter Tarfa, the representative of the Initiative for Climate Action and Development (ICAD) at the occassion, noted that Nigeria’s economy has undergone a dramatic transformation as a result of its 2060 carbon neutrality.

“It is expected that the outcome would be more ambitious and robust,” he said.

Mr. Akpan of Oxfam, who represented civil society organisations, also spoke out in support of the planned guideline, stating that it is fundamental in combating climate change and poverty at all levels of the economy.

“We believe that the guidelines will try to solve them and hold the government accountable,” he said, underlining the need of meeting the Paris Agreement by addressing the vulnerable people affected by climate change.

By Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere, Abuja

NCDMB launches ‘Champions of Nigerian Content Awards’

Michael Simire
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NCDMB launches ‘Champions of Nigerian Content Awards’

The Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Sweetcrude Limited, publishers of SweetcrudeReports, has announced the launch of the “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards”. The awards ceremony aims to recognise and celebrate individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.

Nigerian Content Tower
The Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which houses the NCDMB’s head offices, will host the awards ceremony

Awards Ceremony Details

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the NCDMB’s conference hall at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The event will hold at the sidelines of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), scheduled for May 20-22, 2025.

Selection Criteria

Unlike other awards in the Nigeria oil and gas industry, the “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards” will be determined by verifiable accomplishments, using defined metrics set by the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate and other operational directorates and divisions of the NCDMB.

Awards Categories

The awards categories include:

  1. Nigerian Content Icon of the Year
  2. Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award
  3. Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the Year
  4. Nigerian Content Indigenous Upstream Operator of the Year
  5. Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the Year
  6. Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year
  7. Nigerian Content International Service Company of the Year
  8. Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the Year
  9. Nigerian Content Innovator of the Year
  10. Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the Year
  11. Nigerian Content Media Organisation of the Year
  12. Women in Leadership Award for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment

Benefits for Awardees

Awardees will enjoy commensurate benefits, including media exposure and prominent display at the headquarters of the NCDMB, among other benefits to be determined by the Board.

Advisory Board

The Awards are superintended by an advisory board headed by prominent and accomplished industry players, including Dr. Ernest Nwapa, pioneer Executive Secretary, NCDMB; Dr. Omar Farouk, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation; Mr. Tony Attah, erstwhile Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd; and Mr. Wole Akinyosoye, former Zonal Operations Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources. The role of the advisory board is to confirm the authenticity of the winners and to give further gravitas to the awards.

Commenting on the “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards”, Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, said: “The time has come to identify and celebrate pillars of Nigerian Content who shall serve as a shining example of what is expected of others in the industry.”

He noted that the Awards are being launched just when oil and gas industry players are gearing up to mark the 15th anniversary of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) Act 2010.

Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation at the NCDMB, also remarked that the “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards” would motivate and reward Nigerian Content compliance among entities in the oil and gas industry.

He said the Board had mulled this event for a few years, and the launch signified NCDMB’s conviction that companies and individuals who extend themselves to develop Nigerian Content and comply with extant regulations should be identified by the regulator and celebrated, to serve as a beacon of motivation for other industry players.

On their part, Sweetcrude Limited has promised that the Awards will feature glitz and glamour, to signify the importance and contributions of Nigerian Content to the national economy. 

Govt urges stakeholders to fast-track SDGs implementation

Michael Simire
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Govt urges stakeholders to fast-track SDGs implementation

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has urged stakeholders to intensify efforts toward the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.

Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire

She stated this in her keynote address delivered on her behalf by Dr Bala Yunusa, Senior Technical Adviser, at the North-East Regional Consultation in Gombe.

The event was part of Nigeria’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) preparation for the High-Level Political Forum in New York in July 2025.

Orelope-Adefulire noted that world leaders established the Forum on Sustainable Development through the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a follow up and review mechanism for the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

The VNRs serve as the cornerstone of this review process.

Nigeria is currently undertaking its third VNR, engaging stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones to assess implementation progress, challenges and prospects.

Orelope-Adefulire stressed the need to fast-track progress on all the SDGs, noting that global progress on the goals was mixed, with Nigeria not exempted.

Citing the 2024 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report, she stated: “Lack of progress toward the SDGs is universal but developing countries and the world’s poorest people bear the brunt.

“Currently, only 17 per cent of SDG targets are on track, nearly half show minimal or moderate progress, while over a third have stalled or regressed.”

At the national level, she said dwindling financial resources, the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent insecurity had combined to slow-down Nigeria’s progress toward achieving the SDGs.

Orelope-Adefulire emphasised that the SDGs could not be achieved through isolated programmes but must be carefully integrated into national and sub-national policies and development plans.

She said robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER), such as the SDGs Progress reporting and the VNR, were essential.

Orelope-Adefulire underscored the need for collaboration across the public and private sectors, the UN Development System, the donor community, academia, and civil society to ensure that no one was left behind.

She said world leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to take “bold, ambitious, accelerated, just, and transformative actions to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs.”

This, she said, was through the “Pact for the Future,” adopted during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2024.

She referenced Mr António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, who said massive investment and more effective partnerships were needed to drive critical transitions across food, energy and digital connectivity to unlock progress across the goals.

Orelope-Adefulire commended institutional members of the Multi-Stakeholder Core Working Group for Nigeria’s 2025 VNR for their dedication in organising and guiding the entire VNR process.

“I appreciate and commend members of the Core Working Group from relevant MDAs, the UN Development System, the Private Sector Advisory Group, the Civil Society Strategy Group and academia.

“Your commitment is highly valued. The consulting team for this VNR is equally appreciated,” she said.

In his presentation on the Overview of SDGs Implementation in Nigeria and 2025 VNR Process, Yunusa referenced the UN DESA Report of 2024.

He highlighted the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions and climate chaos on SDG progress.

According to the report, if current trends persist, no fewer than 590 million people may still live in extreme poverty by 2030.

It said without substantial acceleration in poverty reduction, fewer than three in 10 countries would halve national poverty.

It added that nearly one in 10 people globally would face hunger, and 2.4 billion people would experience moderate to severe food insecurity.

As part of Nigeria’s VNR consultative process, no fewer than 150 participants drawn from the six states of the North East were updated on the institutional frameworks for the implementation of the SDGs.

They focused on progress on the 17 SDGs, implementation, challenges and lessons learnt.

At the end of the Regional Consultation, participants reflected on these and offered context specific recommendations.

They also suggested implementation strategies to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.

Key stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private sector, civil society, academia, persons with disabilities and youths were in attendance.

In his address of welcome, Sulaiman Turaki, the Focal Person of the SDGs Project Support Unit in Gombe State, described the Regional Consultation as a critical dialogue that would shape Nigeria’s next VNR.

He said it would ensure that the country’s progress, challenges, and opportunities were accurately reflected and that no one was left behind in the overall development journey.

“This gathering is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Goal,” said Turaki.

He called on stakeholders to engage actively, share insights, and propose solutions that will make a real impact.

“Let us embrace this opportunity to drive meaningful change, inspire innovative policies, and accelerate sustainable development efforts across the North-East Zone,” Turaki stated.

By Salif Atojoko

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