Danjuma Amodu | January 12, 2026
The Government of Nigeria on Monday laud the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for its steadfast support in tackling Nigeria’s mounting environmental challenges.
Speaking at the National Capacity Building Workshop on Project Oversight for GEF Operational Focal Points (OFPs) and Implementing Partners in Abuja, Minister of Environment Malam Balarabe Lawal highlighted the critical role of GEF as a strategic partner in advancing Nigeria’s environmental agenda.
Represented by Permanent Secretary Mr. Mahmud Kambari, the Minister noted that Nigeria faces a complex web of environmental crises, including desertification encroaching on northern borders, plastic pollution choking cities and waterways, biodiversity loss across vital ecosystems, oil contamination ravaging the Niger Delta, and climate-induced risks threatening lives and livelihoods.
“The Global Environment Facility has remained a long-standing and strategic partner to Nigeria in addressing our critical environmental challenges,” Balarabe said.
Speaking further, he reiterated that.
“This workshop underscores the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening environmental governance, improving project delivery, and ensuring Nigeria maximises the benefits of global environmental financing.”
He added that GEF-supported projects have been instrumental in driving environmental sustainability across Nigeria. Through targeted interventions, GEF has helped conserve over 500 indigenous plant species, promoted sustainable forest management, and strengthened community-led conservation efforts nationwide. In climate action, GEF-funded initiatives have advanced renewable energy adoption, improved energy efficiency, and supported sustainable land-use practices, directly contributing to Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
“GEF has also been pivotal in combating land degradation by supporting sustainable agriculture, restoring degraded landscapes, and enhancing food security and ecosystem health,” Balarabe affirmed.
Permanent Secretary Mahmud Kambari also echoed the minister’s sentiments, emphasising that the workshop reflects Nigeria’s resolve to deepen its partnership with GEF and align project implementation with international standards. Represented by Mrs. Nkechi Aneke, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Kambari stated.
“With over three decades of collaboration with GEF, Nigeria continues to benefit from programmes addressing biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation, land degradation control, international water management, and reduction of chemicals and waste.”
He stressed that funding alone is insufficient, effective coordination, technical capacity, and robust oversight are essential to translate resources into tangible impact.
Dr. Michael David, Executive Director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), explained that the training is part of GEF’s broader initiative to provide financial support and capacity-building to more than 144 countries with GEF Operational Focal Point offices.
According to David, “In Africa, the Tropical Biology Association leads this work in 25 countries, while African Wildlife Foundation is organizing similar training in 29 others. This workshop is designed to strengthen oversight because project oversight is vital to achieving results.”
He praised GEF’s holistic approach to tackling biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, reaffirming its indispensable role in Nigeria’s quest for environmental sustainability.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral partnership established in 1991 to tackle global environmental issues through grants, co-financing, and technical assistance. As one of the largest providers of environmental finance, GEF supports projects in biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, chemicals and waste, and sustainable forest management.
Nigeria joined the GEF in 1994 and has since accessed over $1.2 billion in grants across more than 100 projects. The country’s GEF Operational Focal Point is housed within the Federal Ministry of Environment, coordinating national engagement with the facility.
The National Capacity Building Workshop aims to equip Nigerian stakeholders including OFPs, implementing agencies, and civil society partners with tools to enhance project design, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to meet GEF standards and accelerate environmental impact.
