By Emmanuel Ogodo
Communications Officer, SPP
The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) has emerged a pivotal force in Nigeria’s climate action campaign with the release of the first ever report on Mapping of Climate Impact, Policy, and Action in 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). SPP in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), launched the comprehensive report in Abuja on Friday, 17th November, 2023.
The Report Launch recorded the presence of stakeholders including the Honourable Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Isiaq Kunle Salako who lauded the report as being unique and timely. The report’s overarching goal is to meticulously evaluate climate change awareness at the grassroots state level, foster a deeper understanding and facilitate the development of peculiar policies crafted to address the unique climate risks faced by each region.
Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, the President of SPP and the driving force behind this landmark initiative, during the launch highlighted the paramount importance of state-level policies in the intricate battle against climate change, emphasizing a critical imbalance in the allocation of attention between federal and state-level initiatives.
According to Prof. Okereke, this strategic initiative stands as a linchpin in the broader context of achieving Nigeria’s net-zero emissions target and fulfilling the nation’s climate commitments.
Despite the existence of federal-level endeavour such as the National Climate Change Law, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and flagship projects like the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), and the Great Green Wall (GGW), Prof. Okereke astutely pointed out the disproportionately limited attention given to state-level policies. He stressed the urgent need for an augmented implementation of climate actions at the sub-national echelon.
This call was echoed by Sam Onuigbo, Member of the Governing Board and Chairman, North-East Development Commission’s (NEDC) Committee on Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions. Onuigbo urged governors and local council chairpersons to conscientiously allocate substantial budgets for climate change, grounded in the insights derived from the newly conducted assessment.
Also present at the Launch was the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago who was ably represented by Hon. Yakubu Muhammed Kolo, the Commissioner for Environment, Niger State, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Essiet, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Sokoto State, Nura Shehu, Representatives of World Bank, UNDP, AfDB among other dignitaries.
This exhaustive mapping effort transcends its immediate goal of heightening public awareness. It unveils the intricacies of subnational climate programmes, meticulously spotlighting both their strengths and limitations. The SPP’s advocacy for a nuanced and region-specific approach to climate change governance underscores the imperative of tailoring strategies at the state level to effectively combat the multifaceted impacts of climate change in Nigeria. In essence, the SPP not only spearheads this initiative but also serves as a beacon, guiding the nation toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
The first ever report on Mapping of Climate Impact, Policy and Action across the subnational level of Nigeria was written by Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, the President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, Wole Adegbule and Timothy Ogenyi who are Senior Policy Analysts (Climate Change) at the Society for Planet and Prosperity.
Have a glimpse of the epoch-making event through the following captivating photos: