Globally, subnational governments are emerging as powerful agents of climate action. When national leadership falters or political shifts threaten climate policy continuity, state and local governments often step in to fill the void. As global climate governance evolves, the importance of subnational commitments is becoming increasingly evident. From integrating climate finance at the state level to fostering grassroots participation in international agreements, subnational entities play a crucial role in addressing climate challenges.
While Nigeria has made significant strides in developing national climate policies and aligning with international climate frameworks, the success of these efforts hinges on subnational engagement. Translating national policies into tangible results requires integrating climate considerations into state-level governance structures.
Subnational governments, particularly state administrations, are pivotal in implementing climate strategies, given their proximity to communities and unique understanding of regional challenges. This underscores the urgent need to mainstream subnational climate governance as a core component of Nigeria’s climate action roadmap.
State governments, with their deep understanding of regional geography, economies, and social landscapes, are uniquely positioned to design and implement policies tailored to local environmental challenges. Their proximity to communities allows for targeted solutions, rapid policy execution, and meaningful grassroots engagement – essential components for effective climate governance.
The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku reinforced this notion, highlighting the need for climate action beyond the national stage. As climate challenges intensify, the ability to drive impactful solutions increasingly rests in the hands of subnational governments. States and regions are better placed to implement policies that reflect local realities while aligning with national and global climate goals.
One of COP29’s pivotal outcomes was the introduction of the New Quantified Climate Finance Goal (NCQG), which seeks to increase access to climate finance for subnational entities. This presents Nigerian states with an opportunity to engage directly with international funding mechanisms, circumventing traditional federal bottlenecks.
Additionally, the strengthening of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – focused on carbon markets – ensures the protection of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This development creates new pathways for subnational governments to participate in carbon trading, further supporting climate initiatives at the local level.
These mechanisms offer Nigerian states critical opportunities to secure funding, foster inclusive projects, and leverage indigenous knowledge and local innovation to build climate resilience. To capitalise on this momentum, states must develop robust frameworks for accessing and managing climate finance.
For Nigeria to meet its climate goals, state governments must not only align with national policies but also address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of their local populations. The success of national climate strategies depends on effective implementation at the subnational level. Strengthening subnational climate governance requires several key actions:
1. Integrating Climate Education into School Curricula
Building awareness and capacity from an early age is vital. Climate education can equip future generations with the knowledge and skills to engage in sustainable practices, fostering a long-term commitment to climate action.
2. Coordinating State Climate Action Plans with National Policies
Aligning state-level initiatives with federal frameworks ensures coherence, prevents duplication, and maximises the impact of climate efforts. A well-coordinated approach will bridge the gap between national ambitions and local realities.
3. Enhancing Climate Finance and Budgeting
Transparent budgeting and resource allocation at the state level are critical to advancing climate initiatives. Clearly defined climate budgets ensure that funds are directed to the most vulnerable sectors and communities, improving efficiency and accountability.
4. Fostering Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Partnerships among governments, communities, NGOs, and businesses enhance innovation, resource-sharing, and the effective implementation of climate projects. Facilitating knowledge exchange between states can also accelerate progress by scaling successful initiatives nationwide.
5. Engaging Local Communities in Climate Resilience Approaches
Involving communities in climate planning and implementation fosters ownership, ensuring that climate actions reflect local priorities and drive meaningful, lasting change.
Nigeria’s climate governance structure requires subnational participation to complement federal efforts. While federal policies such as the Climate Change Act, the NDC and the Energy Transition Plan outline ambitious goals, the absence of complementary subnational frameworks weakens their implementation.
This misalignment hinders Nigeria’s capacity to meet its climate targets and underscores the need for coordinated action between federal and state governments. In essence, the absence of subnational strategies reflects broader systemic issues. National climate action plans cannot succeed in isolation. A bottom-up approach, where local and state-level actors contribute to shaping national policies, is essential for comprehensive and sustainable progress.
A major challenge facing subnational climate governance is the lack of political will, awareness, and funding. Addressing these gaps requires proactive investment in state-level governance structures and policies. Nigeria must recognise that its climate future starts at the state level. By developing and implementing region-specific climate action plans aligned with national objectives, subnational governments can serve as catalysts for meaningful progress.
Without structured subnational frameworks, Nigeria risks falling behind in meeting its climate targets. Effective climate governance at the national level relies heavily on integrating subnational perspectives into policy-making and development planning. However, the limited presence of administrative structures and dedicated climate institutions at the state level remains a significant barrier. Without subnational frameworks, national climate strategies risk becoming abstract concepts with minimal real-world impact.
Nigeria’s federated governance system demands that subnational initiatives complement and reinforce federal efforts. Climate change is primarily felt at the grassroots level, making subnational action a necessity for meaningful progress. By bridging the disconnect between national and state-level policies, fostering local innovation, and ensuring access to climate finance, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its states to drive impactful climate action.
Through a state-driven process, we can begin to strengthen state governments’ commitments and effectiveness to align with national and international climate goals. Rarely is there a successful national climate action without a subnational clear vision statement reflecting the commitment to climate action, green growth and sustainable development through a bottom-up approach from the local and state-level collaboration.
Nigeria can build a resilient climate governance ecosystem that aligns with federal and international objectives by empowering state governments to craft climate policies and develop green growth subnational strategies.
By Timothy Ogenyi, a climate governance expert and senior policy analyst at the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP)
The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Miss Peace Gobo, expressed his support for the Climate Manual initiative. He stated that, as part of NOA’s mandate to drive awareness and sensitisation, the NOA has developed a National Climate Charter, with climate awareness as one of the anchor pillars.
