Author Archives: sppnigeria

The World Bank announced that it has approved an additional $1.57 billion loan to the Nigerian government to fund three projects.

The Washington-based bank disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The World Bank noted that new funding will support Nigeria in addressing governance challenges in education and healthcare, improving primary healthcare services, and increasing resilience to climate change through enhanced dam safety and irrigation infrastructure.

According to the World Bank, the approval of the loan was made last week on September 26, 2024.

The approved funding highlights the World Bank’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s human capital and building resilience in the face of climate threats.

This financing package, including a $1.5 billion loan and a $70 million grant, is part of broader efforts to improve key sectors such as education, healthcare, and water management, while also tackling poverty and boosting productivity.

In June last year, the World Bank approved, $2.25 billion loan facility for Nigeria to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies.

The development had further increased the country’s debt burden which stood at N121.67 trillion as of March 2024 according to the Debt Management Office.

This comes as financial experts continue to lament Nigeria’s rising debt burden amid a widening infrastructural deficit.

The Director, Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI), Ebonyi State, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, has called on global leaders to make the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holding in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, a decisive moment for global climate action for improved climate finance. He emphasised that the world is not on track to meet the critical 1.5 degrees target set by the Paris Agreement.

Prof. Okereke made the submission in a keynote address on behalf of Allied for Climate Transformation by 2025 (ACT2025) at the China Media Salon themed: “Looking Ahead to COP29: How to Accelerate Action Amid Intensifying Climate Impacts,” The China Media Salon was organised by Tipping Point Monthly E-magazine and hosted by The Paper on September 19, 2024, as a hybrid event.

Highlighting that there is an acute lack of resources to face the scale of impact brought on by climate change disasters, Professor Okereke called on developed countries to take the lead and help put the world back on track by mobilising and providing climate finance that is enough for solving climate change challenges beyond the usual rhetoric and failed promises.

Prof. Okereke, who is also President, Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), further emphasised that in addition to the fact that vulnerable countries are being hit first and worst from the impacts of the global climate crisis as seen through devastating floods in Bangladesh, Kenya and Nigeria in recent months; inequality, conflict and development challenges always heightens these vulnerabilities.

Citing current data, Professor Okereke projected that developing countries need an estimated $5.8-5.9 trillion to implement their national climate plans, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) up to 2030, and adaptation finance could reach $1.7 trillion annually by 2050.

While presenting the ACT2025’s call-to-action, an agreed set of expectations by the consortium ahead of COP29, bothering on the priority needs of climate vulnerable countries, Okereke reiterated that the four main priority expectations: 1) Ambitious Climate Finance is Non-Negotiable; 2) Scaling Up Adaptation Efforts; 3) Responding to loss and Damage with sufficient action and support; and 4) Accelerating Mitigation Ambition and Implementation.

Okereke later expanded on the four priorities established by the ACT2025 Call-to-action as which can be downloaded at https://www.wri.org/initiatives/allied-climate-transformation-act2025/resources/cop29-call-action-climate-vulnerable-countries for further details.

On ambitious Climate Finance, ACT2025 demanded that COP29 must deliver an ambitious 1.5°C-aligned New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) that reflects the real financial needs of climate-vulnerable nations and must be accessible, concessional and transparent.

On scaling up adaptation efforts, ACT2025 made bold that COP29 must unpack the gaps and challenges in adaptation planning and implementation if it must make sense.

On responding to Loss and Damage with sufficient action and support, ACT2025 demanded that new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage must be adequately funded and fully operational by COP29. ACT2025 believed that the new Fund is meaningless if it does not result in accessible finance at scale to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable developing countries in responding to losses and damages, without imposing further burdens such as debt.

On accelerating mitigation Ambition and implementation, ACT2025 demanded that countries must implement equitable and rapid transitions away from fossil fuels with clear pathways to net-zero GHG emissions, while ensuring that their phaseouts are conducted through people-centered, just transitions. Okereke reiterated that ACT2025 is desirous to see ambitious NDCs reflected in the upcoming updated NDCs 3.0 with G7 and G20 countries leading by example.

Okereke, a Senior Adviser on Climate Change and Sustainable Development to the Enugu State Government, acknowledged China’s unique and important role in global climate action and justice through greening of its overseas investments. Okereke noted that COP29 and the next round of NDCs present critical opportunities for China to continue to showcase critical global leadership such as aligning its actions with the demands of vulnerable countries through solidarity and increased ambition that is 1.5-aligned in their new 2035 NDC.

Okereke expressed confidence that China holds a pivotal role in driving these results, positioning itself as a leader of the Global South and a key player in global climate governance. He equally emphasised that China has a unique role to play in fostering unity and driving global progress toward a sustainable and equitable future through its support for climate-vulnerable nations leveraging on the role it played with the G77 in calling for and establishing a loss and damage fund at COP27.

He further highlighted importance of China and the Global South, including China-Africa cooperation in shaping a sustainable and equitable climate future while alluding to the recent outcomes from the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In closing, Okereke called on the international community to rally and push for the finance, ambition, and climate resilient development pathways needed to prepare for the impacts of climate change and secure a just and equitable transition to a sustainable future.

“The outcomes of COP29 and the decisions we make as a global community this decade will massively impact the trajectory of our civilization and collective future,” he said.

ACT2025 is a consortium of thought leaders with core partners from: Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (Belize), Centre for Climate Change and Development at AEFUNAI (Nigeria), International Centre for Climate Change and Development (Bangladesh), Manila Observatory (Philippines), Power Shift Africa (Kenya), Transforma (Colombia), and World Resources Institute (Global).

Download the call to action:        https://www.wri.org/initiatives/allied-climate-transformation-act2025/resources/cop29-call-action-climate-vulnerable-countries

By Ugochukwu Uzuegbu (Media and Communication Specialist, CCCD-AEFUNAI) and Gboyega Olorunfemi (Senior Research Associate, CCCD-AEFUNAI)

Climate change has resulted in considerable environmental challenges in Nigeria, impacting every region and socio-economic group. Nigeria has a youthful population with more than 70% of the population below 30 years of age.

The Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had earlier stated that the youth population account for about 51% of the total population with the age bracket 15 to 34 years old. Despite the growing onset of climate emergency, it has been reported that climate change literacy and awareness remain poor among the Nigerian youth.

In Nigeria, the catastrophic flooding in 2022 displaced more than 1.4 million individuals, resulted in over 603 fatalities, left approximately 2,400 people injured, and caused damage to around 82,035 homes. Additionally, the heatwaves of 2024, which affected all geopolitical zones serves as a stark illustration of these effects, placing immense pressure on commercial agriculture and jeopardising food security among other immediate challenges.

As reported by statista.com, in 2020, over 60% of Nigerians were unaware of climate change. Given that more than 70% of Nigeria’s population consists of young people, it is imperative to effectively harness the potential of this youthful demographic bulge in the battle against climate change. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Nigerian populace remains indifferent to discussions surrounding climate change.

This indifference highlights the relatively small number of youths actively engaged in climate advocacy compared to those who lack awareness. Consequently, it is evident that the struggle against climate change in Nigeria is far from being resolved, as most of the workforce lacks essential knowledge regarding this critical issue.

Nonetheless, while significant work remains, it is essential to acknowledge the contributions of various organisations that are diligently collaborating with both local and international partners to educate young people about climate change. These organisations emphasise the importance of empowering youth with strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

As the generation that has grown up with technology, if properly educated on climate change issues, these young individuals can play a crucial role in assisting the country in executing the numerous policies and action plans aimed at addressing the effects of climate change in Nigeria.

On August 28, 2024, GreenHub Africa, in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, conducted a “Youth Environment and Climate Change Leadership Training” for more than 300 young individuals in Nigeria. This training served as an introduction to a comprehensive course developed by the collaborating organisations, aimed at educating Nigerian youth about climate change and its fundamental aspects. The curriculum will encompass five key modules: Climate Change Negotiation and Policy Analysis, Climate Change and Health, Climate Finance and Grant Writing, Green Entrepreneurship, and Just Transition & Energy Access.

It is essential for governments at all levels to support the commendable initiative offered by these organisations, aimed at educating the youth about climate change. This objective can be realised if the state Ministries of Environment throughout the federation work in partnership with the organisers to facilitate easy access to these educational programmes for the youth in their respective states.

Additionally, organising one or two days dedicated to sensitisation and awareness-raising activities for the youth in their states would further enhance this effort and making the youth participant ambassadors in their respective domains will go a long way in entrenching sustainability.

I urge the partners who have diligently created these materials to leverage all available platforms, particularly, social media channels such as TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube, to effectively reach the intended audience, specifically the youth. Additionally, it is essential to collaborate with major telecommunications companies in the country to ensure that targeted flash messages are disseminated to all subscribers whenever they recharge their phones or check their account balances, informing them about how to access training modules at no cost.

Utilising unskippable advertisements on YouTube videos and Facebook reels will further capture the attention of young individuals, encouraging them to enroll in courses that equip them with the necessary knowledge to combat climate change.

The Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), in close collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), aligns with the initiatives put together by the WRI and Green Hub, Both CCCD and SPP recognise the importance of the youth population in addressing climate change. The organisations believed that the future is in the hands of the youth, and if we do not safeguard the present, there will be no future to speak of.

The CCCD and SPP are poised to commence empowering youth with climate education and building their capacity to participate in decision making process for the development of effective climate solutions and ensuring sustainable development without leaving anyone behind.

Therefore, to achieve this, immediate action is imperative, and collective efforts must be made to educate the youth on the critical issue of climate change. The platform for accessing these courses is set to be launched on September 26, 2024, and will be available for three months.

Anieze is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a non-governmental organisation based in Abuja, has expressed deep sadness over the flood disaster that recently struck in Maiduguri, Borno State, in Nigeria.

The tragic event, said to have been triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, resulted in numerous casualties, loss of lives and widespread destruction of livelihoods with over 30 deaths and at least 414,000 people displaced, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“NEMA also estimates that over one million people have been affected by flooding across the country with many communities at risk. While the immediate cause of the disaster is the dam’s failure, the underlying cause is climate change, which, through increased rainfall, exerted pressure on the dam which eventually overflowed,” SPP said on Monday, September 16, 2024, in a statement endorsed by Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, its Communications Officer.

The group added: “At this point, it is crucial that we deal with the root cause of the flood given the many obvious risks and impacts of climate change. It has become very clear that we cannot continue to play the ostrich. This unfortunate incident is once more a rude awakening to the dangers ahead, most especially highlighting the vulnerabilities of the subnational regions which bear the brunt of these climate impacts.”

SPP expressed concern over the “sad occurrence” and advocated that urgent action be taken by governments at all levels, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to provide relief to the people of Borno State.

As the world prepares for the forthcoming COP29 in two months’ time, generally regarded as the “Finance COP,” and as Nigeria prepares to submit her NDC 3.0, SPP is advocating for:

Easier access to international finance; speedy implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund; and improved funding of the Adaptation Fund to meet current needs. It is equally important that these resources when available are used efficiently and transparently, with the subnational also able to access these funds to help them enhance their disaster preparedness, adaptation efforts and mitigation measures.
Governments, particularly at the sub-national level, must urgently implement climate vulnerability risk assessments, and develop early warning systems. They should also prioritise developing climate change policies aligned with these assessments in order to mitigate future risks.
Efforts should be made to improve climate change awareness among the people. Informed communities are better equipped to adapt and embark on meaningful community-led actions against climate change.

SPP said it commiserates with the government and people of Borno State during this difficult time, adding: “We stand in solidarity with you as you begin the recovery process.”

Lagos State emerged the top ranked state in Nigeria with 182 points at the just concluded first-ever climate governance performance ranking of Nigeria’s subnational. This was revealed during the launch of the report which was championed by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in close  collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, in Abuja on July 25, 2024.

The announcement of the Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking (CGPRR) of Nigeria’s 36 States 2024 result was jointly made by the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of State for the Environment, Dr Iziak Salako, and the President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, at the official launch event.

Lagos State was the only state rated as “outstanding” among the 36 states of Nigeria, reflecting their feat in exceptional performance in the five criteria used for the ranking, namely Climate Institutions and Governance, Climate Policy and Action Plan, Climate Implementation of Project and Online Visibility.

Lagos was one point short of Gombe State in the overall score and ranking for institutional arrangement and administrative structure among the 36 states. It shared the top position with five other states in the total score and ranking for having in place climate change policy and action plans which set emission reduction targets that contribute to the national efforts reflecting key commitments of the state to global climate ambition.

Lagos State emerged the top in the thematic rating for climate change projects’ implementation and having in place a system for effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) of climate impact and/or actions ahead of other states. Lagos also went ahead to share the top spot with eight other states on online visibility regarding climate change activities, having functional websites (or links on the state official website) for the Ministry of Environment/Climate Change and with several pages showing dynamic web activities.

In terms of budgetary allocation for climate action, Lagos shared second position with 19 other states behind Gombe among the states that considered climate change in their respective 2024 annual budgets with proper tagging of climate change projects.

There is no doubt that Lagos State plays a pivotal role in the Nigerian economy as the nations’ commercial hub with record of almost 30% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this status, Lagos has continued to grapple with serious climate change-related challenges. Over the years, the state has recognised that climate action is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic imperative pushing the state government for greater climate action.

Dubbed the Centre of Excellence, Lagos demonstrates inspiring climate action which prioritises zero-carbon development goals in several sectors including transport, agriculture, energy, and waste management. In its continued drive for greater ambition, the state has engaged with international organisations and frameworks, such as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, which supports cities in developing and implementing climate strategies, all of which may have contributed to the states outstanding performance.

In his signed statement via X (formerly twitter), the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab, wrote: “I am delighted to announce that Lagos State came 1st amongst the 36 States and FCT in Climate Governance Performance ranking conducted by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Society for Planet & Prosperity.

“This great feat is as a result of the Lagos State government’s deliberate commitment and unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability and its proactive approach to addressing climate change challenges.”

While acknowledging the Lagos State Governor in his post, the Commissioner wrote: “Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Government has prioritised climate action as a cornerstone of its development agenda. Through strategic planning, robust policies, and innovative initiatives, we have made significant strides in mitigating the impacts of climate change while fostering a sustainable future for our residents.

“This prestigious recognition is a validation of our relentless efforts to create a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Lagos,” he concluded.

The report, which recognises and recommends that there are still loads of work to be done across all the 36 states, acknowledges that Lagos has taken a quantum leap ahead of others in effective climate governance and action.

The complete report is available via the link: https://sppnigeria.org/subnational-climate-governance-performance-ranking-report/