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Tag: Climate action

  • Minister rallies women to environmental justice, climate action

    Minister rallies women to environmental justice, climate action

    Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has commemorated the 2025 World Environment Day with a clarion call to Nigerian women to take their rightful places on the front lines of environmental justice and climate action. 

    In a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze, on Thursday in Abuja, the minister noted that courage, clarity, and collective action are required to beat plastic pollution. 

    She added that women are the first to feel the weight of environmental degradation but they are also the first responders and the fiercest protectors of their families and communities.

    The statement reads in part: “World Environment Day 2025, themed #BeatPlasticPollution, is not just another commemoration, it is a bold call to defend the one home we all share: Mother Earth.

    “Plastic pollution is silently choking our planet. It poisons our rivers and oceans, contaminates our food and water, and infiltrates even the air we breathe. 

    “The damage is not distant or abstract, it is personal. It is in our kitchens, our markets, our homes, and our bodies.

    “For Nigerian women, this crisis strikes at the heart of their daily lives. From rural farmers who rely on clean soil and water to urban mothers managing household waste, women are the first to feel the weight of environmental degradation; but they are also the first responders and the fiercest protectors of their families and communities.

    “Moreover, the growing environmental crisis is displacing families, tearing communities apart, and deepening vulnerability; especially for women and children.

    “Floods caused by blocked drainage systems, contaminated water sources, and degraded farmlands are forcing women to flee their homes, disrupting livelihoods, education, and safety. The consequences of inaction are already unfolding before our eyes.

    “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is leading the charge to ensure that women are not just victims of climate and pollution crises, but leaders in the solution. 

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    “We see this day as a bold move to reclaim our future, and we will sustain this momentum through strategic partnerships with key ministries, departments and agencies; Environment, Health, Education, Water Resources, and others; whose work intersects with our mission to empower women, protect children, and strengthen families.

    “Let me be clear: beating plastic pollution is not someone else’s job. It is our collective responsibility. 

    “I call on women across all spaces; from boardrooms to markets, from mosques to churches, from classrooms to traditional councils to rise and lead this campaign. 

    “Say no to single-use plastics. Promote eco-friendly alternatives. Educate your communities. Influence change where you live and lead.

    “Let us be the women that turn the tide. Let this be the year that Nigeria’s women take their rightful place on the frontlines of environmental justice and climate action. 

    “Because when we protect our Earth, we protect our children. We protect our health. We protect our future.”

  • Religious leaders, CSOs call for urgent climate action in Nigeria

    Religious leaders, CSOs call for urgent climate action in Nigeria

    Religious leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs), climate activists, and other stakeholders have urged Nigerian policymakers to take decisive action to address the country’s escalating climate crisis. The call was made at the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Summit, organized by Connected Development (CODE) on Thursday in Abuja.

    The summit aimed to empower faith and community leaders to advocate for climate justice and propose sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s environmental challenges.

    Speaking at the event, Chief Executive of CODE, Mallam Hamzat Lawal, emphasised the crucial role of faith leaders in driving climate action, particularly during religious observances like Ramadan and Lent. 

    He lamented Nigeria’s poor access to climate finance, noting that the country has only secured about 20 percent of available funds, most of which come as loans rather than grants.

    “Nigeria is a deeply religious country, and faith has always been a tool for justice. Climate change is a justice issue. We must use faith to drive the right actions and ensure Nigeria gets the global attention it deserves in climate discussions,” Lawal said.

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    He also highlighted the need for increased funding for forest conservation, particularly in Cross River, which holds the country’s largest forest reserves.

    Delivering the keynote address, Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani,  called for a radical shift in Nigeria’s environmental policies, particularly in waste management and pollution control.

    “Religious organisations, civil society groups, and concerned citizens must pressure policymakers and legislators to take climate change seriously. We cannot continue to pay lip service while our environment deteriorates at an alarming rate,” Ehusani said.

    He decried the high levels of environmental degradation, citing mountains of refuse, toxic waste in rivers, and worsening air pollution as major concerns.

    Executive Director of The Da’awah Institute, Sheikh Nurudeen Lemu,  also stressed the moral duty of faith leaders to promote sustainability and intergenerational justice. He pointed to deforestation, unplanned urbanization, and resource scarcity as drivers of climate-induced conflicts in Nigeria.

    “We are facing an urgent crisis and have a shared responsibility as religious leaders to protect this planet,” Lemu said. “Faith, science, and government must work together to drive sustainable solutions.”

    He urged religious leaders to integrate climate advocacy into sermons and community discussions.

    Country Lead for Strategic Communications at Global Strategic Communications Council, Daniel Oladoja,  praised the summit’s efforts to mobilize collective action against climate change.

    “Every generation must rise to the challenges of its time,” he said. “We cannot allow the generation that fought world wars, conquered deadly diseases, and put man on the moon to tell us it is impossible to tackle climate change.”

    Similarly, Executive Director of the Kukah Center, Rev. Fr. Attah Barkindo, emphasised the influence of faith leaders in shaping public opinion.

    “Religious leaders have millions of followers listening to them every week. If they understand climate change, they can drive action. We must mainstream climate education in faith-based discussions,” Barkindo stated.

  • Tinubu: Climate action opportunity for economic growth

    Tinubu: Climate action opportunity for economic growth

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asserted that the fight against climate change represents more than an environmental necessity, framing it as a transformative economic opportunity for Africa. 

    Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW2025) in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, Tinubu highlighted the continent’s pivotal role in shaping the global energy landscape.

    Addressing the gathering of global leaders, experts, and stakeholders, Tinubu emphasized the need for innovation and international collaboration to tackle the climate crisis effectively. 

    He underscored Nigeria’s position as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, asserting its responsibility to lead by example.

    He said: “The topic assigned to me for discussion is Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity: Bridging African with Global Energy Future. 

    “This topic resonates deeply with Africa’s aspiration and challenges. It also underscores a pivotal reality about our continent. 

    “The fight against climate change is not merely an environmental necessity, but a global economic opportunity to reshape the trajectory of our continent and the global energy landscape. 

    “As leaders, stakeholders, as citizens of our planet, we stand at a crucial and critical junction in human history. To succeed, we must innovate and decisively collaborate as a global community. 

    “As Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, Nigeria recognizes its responsibility to demonstrate the required leadership on these matters.”

    Tinubu outlined Nigeria’s sustainability vision, which rests on three strategic pillars: energy transition, climate resilience, and sustainable development. 

    He noted that his administration has prioritized reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, and promoting environmental sustainability as integral to Nigeria’s national development strategy.

    He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, aligning the nation with global climate objectives. 

    Tinubu detailed plans to diversify energy sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and advance the adoption of cleaner energy solutions, including compressed natural gas and electric vehicles.

    The President called for decisive global cooperation to bridge Africa’s energy future with international aspirations, positioning the continent as a critical partner in achieving sustainable progress. 

    “We have embraced the vision of sustainability that alliance of global aspiration which will addressing the local realities. Our efforts are anchored on three pillars; energy transition, climate resilience and sustainable development. 

    “My administration recognizes this problem from the word get-go. From inception, we recognized the importance of reducing carbon emission and a just transition to clean and renewable energy, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth energy transition. 

    “Dear delegates and excellencies, our energy transition plan, like many nations, are aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing our dependency on fossil fuel, prioritizing the transition to cleaner energy sources. 

    “As a cornerstone of our national development strategy, Nigeria is committed to achieving a net zero emission by 2060, in line with global climate objectives, we are developing the infrastructure to utilize compressed natural gas and electric vehicles,” the President said. 

  • Climate Action: Nigeria seeks global partnerships for development

    Climate Action: Nigeria seeks global partnerships for development

    Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC) Ajuri Ngelale has held series of meetings with international stakeholders to promote Nigeria’s climate action initiatives and foster partnerships for sustainable development.

    Ngelale yesterday met with the World Economic Forum’s Head of Africa, Chido Munyati, and Regional Agenda Lead, Abir Ibrahim, to discuss Nigeria’s value chain localisation initiative and potential collaborations with the private sector.

    Later, he met with ProVeg International’s Country Director, Hakeem Jimo, to explore opportunities in sustainable agriculture and food systems, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote biomass production.

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    In the evening, Ngelale met with NASENI EVC/CEO, Khalil Halilu, to align efforts in localising renewable energy technology value chains, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s team-centered approach to problem-solving.

    He said: “On Monday morning, I was thrilled to welcome the World Economic Forum’s Head of Africa, Mr. Chido Munyati, and Africa’s Regional Agenda Lead, Ms. Abir Ibrahim, for an extensive deliberation on Nigeria’s value chain localisation initiative, and how we can actively create linkages between the Organised Private Sector in developed markets and critical Nigerian public-private stakeholders in advancing new wealth-creating industries supported by localized supply chains. Very exciting prospects here. We will follow up on the agenda items discussed soon.

    “Later on Monday afternoon, I welcomed the Country Director of ProVeg International, Mr. Hakeem Jimo, who exchanged views with me on how we can generate tangible value from reviewing food systems that globally contribute up to 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions at a time when nearly 50 per cent of all meat consumed in Nigeria is imported.

    “Sustainable agricultural practices and food system alignments can minimise forest destruction and biodiversity loss, a major area of opportunity as we seek to create a new industrial ecosystem for biomass in-country in close collaboration with our technical partners and investors.

    “Later on Monday evening, I met with NASENI EVC/CEO, Mr. Khalil Halilu, and we aligned approaches in an effort to bolster Nigeria’s new drive to localise renewable energy technology value chains.

  • Climate action: Global investors eye Nigeria’s renewable energy sector

    Climate action: Global investors eye Nigeria’s renewable energy sector

    Nigeria’s ambitious drive towards localising renewable energy technology manufacturing is gaining traction globally, with investors showing keen interest in contributing to the country’s green industrialization efforts.

    The Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday, July 5, hosted the Chairman of Blackstone New Energy, Mr. Chen Qiang, who recently inaugurated a 1 million tons per annum (mtpa) Lithium refining plant in Nasarawa state.

    Qiang expressed interest in building a facility with tripled capacity in the new Evergreen City, potentially creating jobs, generating tax revenues, and driving inclusive economic growth for Nigerian youths.

    Ngelale later held a virtual call with the CEO of the G-7’s Climate Investment Funds (CIF), Mrs. Tariye Gbadegesin, which manages assets and pledges worth $11 billion focused on climate investments in emerging markets.

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    They discussed Nigeria’s present and future collaboration with the Fund as the country embarks on its green industrialization drive.

    “Investor interest in contributing beneficially to Nigeria’s aggressive move toward value chain localization in renewable energy technology manufacturing is rising globally, which was evident once more on Thursday as I hosted the Chairman of Blackstone New Energy, Mr. Chen Qiang, who recently opened a 1mtpa capacity Lithium refining plant in Nasarawa State and now seeks to build a facility with tripled capacity in the new Evergreen City. Jobs, tax revenues, and inclusive economic growth for Nigerian youths. This is the President’s vision.

    “Later on Thursday evening, I hosted a virtual call with the Chief Executive Officer of the G-7’s Climate Investment Funds (CIF), Mrs. Tariye Gbadegesin, which oversees assets and pledges of $11 billion and is focused on climate investments in emerging markets. We held an elaborate discussion on Nigeria’s present and future collaboration with the Fund as we embark on our green industrialization drive”, Ngelale said.

    These engagements demonstrate Nigeria’s growing appeal to global investors in the renewable energy sector, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a sustainable and industrialized economy.