The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to addressing climate change and enhancing climate action for sustainable development.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this during the courtesy visit of the United Nations Executive Secretary on Climate Change, Mr Simon Stiell, to the ministry.
Bagudu thanked the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other development partners for their support. He highlighted Nigeria’s proactive approach to combating climate change, specifically emphasising the government’s ambitious plans and successful implementation of the 2021-2025 climate policy.
According to the minister, despite significant progress made, challenges remain, particularly in areas such as oil remediation in the Niger Delta and water scarcity exacerbated by climate impacts.
He said: “We are doing everything possible to enhance the potential capabilities of climate action. Yet, we need more collaborative support, particularly in securing funding opportunities for sustainable climate projects.”
Nigeria’s climate goals include fostering a just transition, particularly for sectors like agriculture, livestock and energy, which are critically affected by climate change. The government focuses on modernising industries, creating climate-resilient policies and encouraging private sector investment to ensure sustainable development. Bagudu called on the UN system to recognise the need for innovative financing mechanisms, emphasising the importance of leveraging private sector capital to achieve long-term climate goals.
He said Nigeria remained committed to tackling climate-induced challenges, while ensuring that solutions benefit local communities and the environment. He added that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria would continue to invest in efforts such as transforming the livestock sector and hydrocarbon remediation projects to reverse the harmful effects of climate change.
The minister stated that Nigeria recognised the urgency of climate action, which could not be overstated, explaining that as climate impacts intensified, the government was determined to push for more vigorous international collaborations to deliver results and ensure that climate change did not exacerbate existing vulnerabilities.
The Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Mr Simon Steill, commended Nigeria’s leadership role in the global climate process and underscored the country’s contribution to the worldwide response to the climate crisis. He promised the UN’s unalloyed support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in tackling climate change.
Steill said: “We are here to support you. The UNFCCC and the broader UN system are committed to assisting Nigeria as it develops a credible climate plan that scales up finance and addresses both the climate crisis and economic growth. Your commitment to developing the next generation of climate plans, particularly the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), is crucial in shaping the global climate agenda.”