Monday, June 8, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

FG, SPP launch climate governance data collection (3.0)

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Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe

The Federal Ministry of Environment, through its Department of Climate Change, has launched data collection for the third edition of the Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking (SCGPRR 3.0).

The exercise is being conducted in partnership with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) to strengthen climate governance and accountability across Nigeria’s states.

A statement issued on Monday said the launch followed a review of the enhanced methodology by the Quality Expert Review Team on May 19 and a training session for State Climate Change Desk Officers and Directors on May 21.

It said the questionnaire was released on May 26, while submissions are expected to close on July 7.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change, described the ranking as one of the ministry’s flagship initiatives.
She said the initiative remained critical to ensuring climate action was measurable, transparent and impactful as Nigeria pursued its climate goals.

According to her, the ranking provides a reliable framework for assessing climate governance performance across states.

Also speaking, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President of SPP, commended State Climate Change Desk Officers, Directors and members of the Quality Expert Review Team for their commitment to the process.

Okereke said states that submit questionnaires ahead of schedule would receive special recognition for demonstrating institutional readiness.

He, however, stressed that the collection of high-quality, reliable and accurate data remained the overriding priority of the exercise.

According to him, the ranking aims to generate evidence that supports better decision-making and stronger climate action across the country.

He said the SCGPRR was established to bridge accountability gaps through a systematic and evidence-based framework for assessing subnational climate governance.

The statement noted that findings from previous editions had encouraged several states to develop climate policies and action plans and begin domesticating the National Climate Change Act.

It added that civil society organisations and journalists had increasingly relied on the rankings to support advocacy and reporting on climate issues.

According to the statement, SCGPRR has evolved beyond a measurement exercise into an accountability mechanism that promotes capacity building, peer learning and technical support.

The ministry said the third edition would place greater emphasis on implementation, institutional strengthening, capacity development and evidence-based action.

It added that methodological improvements introduced in SCGPRR 3.0 would enhance the robustness and policy relevance of the ranking.

The statement expressed confidence that the initiative would further support Nigeria’s climate ambitions and accelerate effective climate action across the states.