President Bola Tinubu yesterday called on world leaders to demonstrate unity, courage, and sustained commitment in addressing the worsening global climate crisis.
During a high-level virtual discussion about climate change and equitable transitions, the President expressed gratitude to international collaborators, notably the United Nations and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), for providing advisory and technical assistance.
According to him: “These partnerships are a shining example of the value of multilateral cooperation in climate delivery. We are prepared to collaborate, lead, and deliver — because we understand that the time for climate action is not tomorrow; it is now”.
Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to establishing a new approach where climate action and economic development progress hand in hand rather than conflicting with each other.
“The global climate emergency demands our collective, courageous, and sustained leadership. For Nigeria, the urgency of this moment is clear: we view climate action not as a cost to development, but as a strategic imperative,” he added.
The gathering, jointly hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was designed to boost worldwide climate efforts prior to COP30, an event set to take place in Brazil.
Representatives from 17 nations, encompassing China, the European Union, climate-affected countries, along with important regional groups like the African Union, ASEAN, and the Alliance of Small Island States, took part in the gathering.
Speaking at the event held in Abuja, Tinuba presented Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which lays out a decisive and practical strategy aimed at achieving zero-emissions by 2060.
The ETP targets five core sectors–power, cooking, transportation, oil and gas, and industry–and identifies a financing need of over $410 billion by 2060 to achieve these goals.
We are currently working on synchronizing our regulatory landscape, financial benefits, and organizational structures to guarantee that advancements in energy accessibility, reduction of carbon emissions, and economic competitiveness move forward together,” he stated. “Additionally, we are assuming a leading role in enhancing energy access.
The president highlighted Nigeria’s significance as a key nation in the Mission 300 initiative, which collaborates with the World Bank and the African Development Bank. This program targets providing power access to 300 million Africans by the year 2030.
He remembered his involvement with the Dar es Salaam Declaration from earlier this year and how Nigeria presented its National Energy Compact. This document details the country’s commitment to reforms, highlights potential investments, and sets quantifiable goals aimed at increasing access to clean energy as well as promoting cleaner cooking methods.
He stated: “This agreement is one of the pioneering ones in Africa and outlines our promises for policy reforms as well as particular chances for investment within the energy industry. It establishes measurable goals aimed at expanding electrical connectivity and boosting the adoption of clean cooking methods.”
We are striving to enhance our capabilities and guarantee that we achieve these goals, demonstrating both our aspirations and our dedication to quantifiably follow through on them.
In line with the comprehensive energy reform plans, Tinubu revealed the completion of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy in March 2025. This initiative aims to generate up to $2.5 billion by 2030 through high-quality carbon credits and associated investments.
He revealed that Nigeria is currently revising its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) according to the guidelines of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The country aims to submit an updated version by September 2025.
As he stated: “Our approach to climate strategy goes beyond just planning and regulations—it’s deeply embedded in market reforms. Our aim is to make Nigeria a top choice for investments focused on sustainability by establishing a Global Climate Change Investment Fund. This fund will act as an intermediary to combine both public and private funding sources, reduce risks associated with environmentally friendly projects, and support large-scale financing for renewable energy initiatives.”
This fund aims to back major national goals including eco-friendly industrial zones, electric mobility networks, sustainable farming practices, and small-scale renewable power grids for remote areas.
In addition, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has urged Nigeria to transform the challenges posed by climate change into opportunities for ensuring advancement.
At the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit with the theme “Harnessing Development Opportunities from Climate Change Challenges in Katsina State,” Mohammed, who was represented by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, stated that the event showcased strong leadership and foresight.
This assembly is significant because addressing climate change isn’t merely about mitigating risks; it’s also about seizing new possibilities. For Katsina, for Nigeria, and for everyone here, this presents an opportunity to transform challenges into advancements, moving from being vulnerable to climate issues toward becoming leaders in tackling them. This involves shifting from energy shortages to sustainable wealth creation, as well as progressing from isolation to greater inclusivity.
Katsina and the broader Northwest possess significant potential with their plentiful solar and wind resources, resourceful farmers, energetic young population, and sturdy communities. If we opt to invest prudently in these elements, they can form the foundation of a sustainable economy.
An eco-friendly economy entails access to pristine, cost-effective power sources for residences and educational institutions. This also involves employment opportunities in solar tech, intelligent farming practices, and environmentally conscious businesses. Such an economy signifies development that elevates the status of women, young individuals, people with impairments, and senior citizens. Furthermore, it ensures fresh air quality, thriving family units, and robust, adaptable neighborhoods.
“The UN team in Nigeria remains steadfastly supportive of your efforts. We are collaborating closely with the Nigerian government via the National Climate Change Council (NCCC) to guarantee that Nigeria finalizes its ambitious NDC 3.0 by this September, ahead of COP 30 in Brazil,” she stated.
As she called for investments in Katsina’s sustainable future and emphasized not leaving anyone behind, she noted that the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, had appealed to the global community to make peace with nature.
At the State’s Climate Action and Green Investment Summit, Governor Umar Radda of Katsina State discussed the region’s climate-related difficulties and potential pathways forward, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to turn these challenges into chances for progress and growth.
He introduced the Katsina State Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA), an extensive plan aimed at fostering sustainable growth with emphasis on four key areas: climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy leadership, ecosystem restoration, and green industrialization.
He stated that this initiative aims to meet KAGGA’s bold objectives, which encompass planting 10 million trees, setting up climate-adaptive agricultural co-ops, and fostering green sectors.
At the event, the Minister for Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, highlighted the significant part played by the creative economy in tackling environmental issues and fostering developmental prospects within Katsina State.
She pinpointed the specific climate-related issues faced by the state, such as desertification, water shortage, and erratic precipitation patterns, which pose threats to farming, economic activities, and nutritional stability.
Musawa observed that by adopting creativity and innovation, notably via the strength of the creative sector, Katsina State has the potential to open up fresh avenues for sustainable growth, employment generation, and societal advancement.
The creative economy holds the potential to be a potent driver for tackling many of our critical environmental challenges. A primary function of the creative sectors lies in educating and increasing public consciousness.
“Storytelling, cinema, music, and visual arts possess the potential to catalyze significant changes in conveying the critical nature of climate action. By utilizing documentaries, tunes, shows, and visual creations, we have the ability to connect with various groups, educate them regarding the threats brought forth by climate shifts, and motivate them toward taking initiative,” Musawa stated.
The minister stated that advancing sustainable fashion and textile production with environmentally friendly materials and processes could help mitigate ecological damage. She suggested utilizing ecotourism and cultural heritage tourism as strategies to safeguard natural assets and showcase local traditions.
From his perspective, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal stated: “The assembly today occurs during a crucial phase in our nation’s progress, a moment where issues like climate change, environmental resilience, and the shift towards a greener economy stand out as top priorities for all of us.”
The climate emergency is not a far-off danger anymore. Today, we are experiencing the impacts of climate change through expanding deserts, severe heatwaves, devastating floods, persistent droughts, declining farm output, and subsequent instability within our country.
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