Author Archives: sppnigeria

As global climate negotiations unfold at COP30 Belem, Brazil, one of the revelations that has caught media attention is that global GHG emissions are still rising and that the world may be headed for a 2.5oc temperature rise by the end of the century.  With the effects of climate change already weighing heavily on us in Nigeria, it has become imperative to factor climate resilience in fabric of every sector. One of the sectors where urgent action is required in Nigeria is the building sector.

Globally, buildings account for 37% of greenhouse gas emissions, consume 40% of the world’s energy, and use 16% of water annually (UNEP, 2024). Cement, the backbone of construction in Nigeria, is responsible for emitting over 11 million tonnes of CO₂ every year, according to UNEP (2023). We also face a housing deficit of over 24 million units, with more than 75% of existing homes classified as substandard by government and industry assessments. This has fueled a sprawling informal construction boom that often overlooks climate resilience, increasing dependence on diesel generators, straining waste management systems, and leaving millions vulnerable to environmental hazards. In 2012, catastrophic floods displaced 2.1 million people and caused an estimated ₦2.6 trillion in damages. Another 600,000 people were displaced during the 2018 floods, underscoring the growing threat of climate-related disasters(UN-Habitat, 2024). Meanwhile, Nigerian cities grow at over 3.5% annually and Nigeria ranks 162 out of 180 countries in the 2022 Environmental Performance Index, a painful reminder that we are falling behind.

The spaces where we live shape how we adapt to climate change. Stronger building codes mean safer homes, fewer lives lost to disasters, and cities that thrive rather than crumble. Nigeria has introduced climate policies such as the NDC pledging 20% unconditional emission reduction and 47% conditional emissions reduction by 2030, the Climate Change Act (2021), the National Building Code, and the Building Energy Efficiency Code (2017). Yet these commitments have not translated to practice. The gap is not one of ambition but a lack of enforcement.

Nigeria’s building regulations exist, but are rarely enforced consistently with implementation heavily impeded and compromised by local politics and corruption. Informal construction remains widespread due to limited technical expertise and weak institutional oversight.

Lagos State exemplifies the complexity of Nigeria’s urban regulatory landscape. Securing a building permit involves navigating 17 distinct procedures over an average of 118 days. Faced with such delays, developers rationally choose to bribe officials for expedited permits or to build informally without permits. These practices undermine code compliance and heighten safety risks. While regulatory agencies have the mandate to inspect and enforce standards, enforcement tends to be reactive rather than preventive, often triggered only after structural failures or public outcry. At its core, this is a governance challenge, not just a technical one.

Yet change is possible. Kenya updated its National Building Code in 2024 to mandate rainwater harvesting, heat mitigation, energy efficiency, and Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, making climate resilience legally required, not optional. India’s Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code establishes tiered compliance levels, allowing developers to choose standards that match their project budgets while maintaining baseline performance. These example are recent, tested, and can apply to Nigeria.

Strengthening codes alone will fail without simultaneously investing in enforcement capacity, institutional integrity, and professional accountability. Research has shown that the issue isn’t a lack of laws, but a failure to enforce them effectively. The gap between Nigeria’s codes and their implementation is not knowledge; it is institutional will that requires action on three fronts: 

First, we must integrate climate resilience into the National Building Code itself. Mandatory provisions must address energy efficiency, water conservation, flood resilience, and embodied carbon with clear standards tied to climate zones, including inclusivity requirements for disabled or vulnerable occupants, ensuring resilience serves all populations, not just the able-bodied. This integration must reflect Nigeria’s actual emissions and vulnerabilities.

Secondly, we need to reform enforcement. Permitting processes must be streamlined to eliminate corruption incentives. Multi-agency coordination must be simplified. Professional oversight must be strengthened with clear liability. Training for building officials must be mandatory. The adoption of transparent online permitting systems can significantly reduce opportunities for corruption by minimizing human discretion and increasing accountability. Critically, state and federal oversight is essential as local authorities alone cannot bear the full weight of enforcement.

Thirdly,  we need to create market incentives that reward excellence. Kenya offers a compelling model by pairing mandatory building standards with voluntary green certification schemes that unlock financing benefits. Nigeria could adopt a similar dual-track approach. Mandatory standards would establish the baseline for compliance, while voluntary certifications would encourage developers to aim higher, offering access to concessional financing, faster permitting, and recognition for sustainable performance.

With 24 million housing units needed and millions more to come, Nigeria faces a transformational opportunity. Each new building is an opportunity to construct smarter, more resilient structures. Enforcing standards sets a precedent, and holding developers accountable strengthens norms. By strengthening and enforcing building codes, construction shifts from national liability to national asset. The benefits are far-reaching: reduced repair costs, healthier living, job creation, innovation in local materials, and greater resilience to climate shocks.

If we fail to act, the costs will be staggering. The cities we build today will shape generations to come. We can settle for incremental tweaks or seize the chance to build lasting resilience. We can treat building codes as bureaucratic hurdles or embrace them as essential tools for public safety and climate adaptation.

The real question facing Nigeria is not whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to.

By Ifeoma Adenusi

Society for Planet and Prosperity, Nigeria

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in collaboration with the office of the first lady of Enugu state and the office of the senior adviser to the governor of Enugu State on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development brought together over 50 students, teachers, and stakeholders at the parliament hall, Enugu state post primary school management board for a one day training on the use of the climate manual that was launched by Enugu state Government in march 2025. 

The manual was co-created by teachers and students and spearheaded by Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, with funding from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. It was designed to equip students with essential knowledge and practical tools to address climate change.

Speaking at the event, the wife of the governor of Enugu state, Her Excellency Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, who was represented by the wife of the Honourable Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Mrs Chinyere Ugwu, described the initiative as a great idea coming from the office of the SA to the Governor and encouraged the teachers to champion and sustain the novel initiative in the state

“The role of the teachers is critical in making this process a success to train the students to be climate Ambassadors,” she said.

Similarly, the commissioner for environment Enugu state Prof Sam Ugwu, who was represented by the Director, Department of climate change Enugu state Ministry of Environment Dr Nnamdi Arum, thanked the SA and the office of the first lady for putting up the great initiative which has become an avenue to empower the younger generation on how to be alert to climate change challenges , including the best and most sustainable ways to address climate impacts.

“ This initiative is a significant step towards empowering our educators and students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and address climate change. By equipping them with the tools and resources outlined in the Climate Manual, we can foster a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship in our schools and communities.” He stated

The Chairman of Enugu state Post primary school management board (PPSMB), Rev. Fr. Dr Hillary Mgbodile thanked the SA and the office of the First Lady for the laudable initiative and also prayed for the sustainability of the project and scale-up of the campaign to other schools in the State.

“I commend the SA and the office of the first lady for this great initiative and urge the staff and students present to take the knowledge home and pass it to their colleagues in their various schools,” he noted.

The director of schools services Enugu State Ministry of Education Mrs Zita Oba who was  represented by Mrs Agbo Nkem, thanked the first lady and the SA’s office for the laudable initiative, and for coming back to fulfil their promise of training the staff and students and also encouraged that this kind gesture be scaled up to all the schools in Enugu state including primary schools to ensure sustainability  

The event covered training from experts on some topics from the climate manual which include: Climate Change evidence and causes, Our Environment and Human Impacts on the Environment, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Climate Solutions: Renewable Energy, Clean cooking and Climate Change Careers and becoming a green ambassador (Environmental school club).

There were also hands-on training and practical exhibition by the students on how to make briquettes from scratch. Equally demonstrated was how to make an ottoman chair using plastic waste from the environment.

According to SPP, the next stage of the training will involve the establishment of green clubs in secondary schools in Enugu state, with the schools that participated in the one-day training serving as the pilot hubs.

Anieze Ethelbert Elochukwu, Policy Analyst at  Society for Planet and Prosperity