By Danjuma Amodu | February 27, 2026
Nigeria’s efforts to combat climate change are gaining momentum, with the Federal Government and the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) emphasising the need for continuous sub-national collaboration.
Minister of Environment, Dr. Balarabe Lawal, stressed that climate action in Nigeria will succeed or fail at the sub-national level, highlighting the importance of positioning the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to access global climate finance mechanisms and carbon markets.
“The climate challenge before us is immense, and also our collective capacity. If we act in silos, progress will be slow, but if we act together, progress will be exponential,” Lawal said, urging states to commit to regular technical engagements, transparent data sharing, and joint development of flagship climate programmes.
The Director, Department of Climate Change, emphasised that climate action in Nigeria must be coordinated, data-driven, and inclusive across all levels of government. She noted that translating Nigeria’s ambitious climate commitments into measurable results requires strong sub-national engagement, highlighting the importance of states as the engine rooms of implementation.
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, Founder of SPP, explained that the organisation’s initiative to rank and rate climate governance initiatives across 36 states revealed an incredible array of climate action happening at the sub-national level. He emphasised the need for peer learning and collaboration to tackle climate challenges, saying;
“Today is about peer learning, but it also gives the commissioners the opportunity to look at the ranking methodology and framework to make their own input.”
The establishment of the Community of Practice marks a new chapter in inter-governmental collaboration on climate and environmental governance in Nigeria, aiming to strengthen coordination, promote peer learning, and enhance institutional capacity for climate project implementation and MRV.
Lawal highlighted innovative initiatives emerging across Nigeria, including State-led clean energy programmes, afforestation and landscape restoration projects, flood resilience and early warning systems, and waste-to-wealth and circular economy initiatives. He emphasised the importance of impact evaluation, saying, “We must move from reporting activities to demonstrating transformational change.”
The Director added that Nigeria’s transparency framework relies on reliable subnational data, determining the quality of national greenhouse gas inventories, adaptation reporting, and biennial transparency reports. She urged states to move beyond activity-based reporting to outcome-based reporting.
The SPP has been working with state governments to develop climate policies and action plans, recognising that subnational governments are crucial in implementing climate solutions. Thirteen states, including Lagos, have developed climate change action plans, with Lagos, the winner of 2025, at a sub-national level aiming to become an emission-neutral city by 2050.
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke emphasised that the ranking and rating of climate governance initiatives across 36 states revealed an incredible array of climate action happening at the sub-national level. He explained that the purpose of the ranking is not just scoring but also to galvanise and increase climate action at the sub-national level.
Commissioners are encouraged to share best practices, reflect on areas needing improvement, and contribute to refining the ranking methodology. By creating a platform for dialogue and co-creation, the initiative ensures that states not only understand the framework used to assess them but also actively participate in shaping it. This approach strengthens transparency, trust, and shared commitment to climate action.
Dr. Nura Ibrahim Kazaure, Chairman of the Commissioners Forum on Environment, emphasised the importance of collaboration, inclusiveness, and constructive engagement in advancing climate action across the country.
He acknowledged that while there were concerns and differing climate challenges and priorities, “such reactions are natural in a process aimed at meaningful reform. Rather than viewing criticism negatively, he encouraged stakeholders to see it as motivation to strengthen institutional frameworks and improve performance in addressing environmental challenges.”
The Director, Department of Climate Change, highlighted the importance of institutional capacity building, saying.
“The Department of Climate Change stands ready to provide technical guidance, templates, and coordination mechanisms to support states in this regard.”
The establishment of the Community of Practice is expected to enhance Nigeria’s credibility internationally and strengthen its negotiating position globally. Lawal urged members to commit to regular technical engagements, transparent data sharing, and joint development of flagship climate programmes.
The event marked the beginning of sustained collaboration, with plans for regular technical exchanges, thematic working groups, and shared digital platforms for data and knowledge management. This collaboration is expected to position Nigerian states as credible actors in the global climate arena.
The SPP has been working with state governments to develop climate policies and action plans, recognising that subnational governments are crucial in implementing climate solutions. The organisation has also launched a nationwide survey to collect stakeholders’ perspectives on climate change impacts and actions taken by states.
