By Juliet Ukanwosu
The Federal Government has restated Nigeria’s commitment to global climate action while advancing national development priorities, through strategic initiatives such as the Climate Change Act, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC3.0), the National Adaptation Plan, the Energy Transition Plan, the National Clean Cooking Policy, the National Carbon Market Activation Framework, climate-resilient and low-carbon future, among others.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, stated this in Abuja, during a stakeholders engagement on socialisation of Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan for development partners and private sector with the theme, “Mobilizing Partnerships and Investments for Climate-Resilient Development through Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), according to a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Ibrahim Haruna.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Salihu Aminu Usman, the minister disclosed that the National Adaptation Plan represents one of the most significant milestones in the journey, providing a comprehensive framework for identifying climate risks, reducing vulnerability, strengthening resilience and integrating adaptation into national, sectoral and subnational development planning.
He added that It establishes clear priorities across critical sectors including agriculture, water resources, health, infrastructure, energy, biodiversity, forestry, disaster risk management, human settlements, among others.
Balarabe further reiterated that adaptation gap requires new partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, technology transfer, strengthened institutions and sustained investments, as well as mainstreaming climate risk into every aspect of development planning.
According to the Minister, the workshop presents an important opportunity to deepen collective understanding of the NAP, identify partnership opportunities, strengthen coordination and mobilize the investments required to move from planning to implementation. He urged participants to engage actively to identify practical solutions, develop bankable adaptation programmes, strengthen institutional collaboration and establish lasting partnerships that deliver measurable impact.
Commending development partners for their indispensable role in Nigeria’s climate journey, Balarabe noted that their support has strengthened institutions, built technical capacity, improved climate data and information systems, facilitated access to international climate finance, as well as the implementation of numerous adaptation initiatives in Nigeria.
While assuring that the federal government remains committed to strengthening the enabling environment for private sector investment through policy reforms and institutional coordination, Balarabe called for increased stakeholder partnerships to enable Nigeria achieve its climate goals.
“Together, let us build a future where every investment strengthens resilience, every partnership accelerates progress, and every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive despite the challenges of a changing climate” the minister stated.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Climate Change, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, said that the successful implementation of the NAP cannot be achieved through government efforts alone.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the success will require broad-based partnerships that leverage the comparative strengths of government institutions, development partners, the private sector, financial institutions, research organizations, civil society, and local communities.
Usman who also acknowledged development partners’ support in strengthening institutional capacity and improving climate governance in Nigeria, called for more collaboration in implementing the priorities identified in the NAP.
While highlighting the critical role of the private sector in driving innovation, mobilizing investment and developing climate-resilient technologies, Usman stressed that “Adaptation is no longer solely a public policy issue, it is increasingly a business imperative and an investment opportunity that can deliver economic, social, and environmental returns.”
In her remarks, the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Sharon Dimanche, reaffirmed the commitment of IOM in supporting the government of Nigeria in implementing the NAP policy and ensuring that climate action contributes to stronger, safer and more resilient communities across the country.
Dimanche further revealed that the engagement provides a valuable platform to deepen collaborations, identify opportunities and build partnerships needed to translate the vision of NAP into tangible and lasting results for communities across Nigeria.