State-level Climate Governance Critical to Meeting Nigeria’s Climate & SDGs – Okereke

Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), Nigeria, emphasized the necessity of state-level climate governance for Nigeria to meet its climate and sustainable development goals.

Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos, Okereke highlighted the severe environmental challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria, which affect all regions and socioeconomic classes.

According to Okereke, the 2024 heatwaves serve as a stark reminder of climate change’s impact, causing considerable stress on commercial farmers and threatening food security. The Niger Delta faces persistent oil spills, leading to severe soil and water pollution, while the northern regions struggle with drought and desertification.

These climate change impacts are primarily felt at the subnational level, making localized climate action essential.

Despite comprehensive federal policies like the Climate Change Act and the Energy Transition Plan, Okereke noted a glaring absence of similar frameworks at the subnational level.

He stressed that state-level action is crucial for Nigeria to meet its climate and sustainable development goals.

Recognizing this need, SPP, in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the Department of Climate Change (DCC), conducted a survey on subnational climate impacts, actions, and policies.

The survey engaged diverse stakeholders, including state climate change desk officers, academics, youths, and climate experts. The resulting report, “Climate Impacts, Policies, and Actions at the Subnational Level in Nigeria,” was launched in Abuja on November 17, 2023.

The report found that eight states—Nasarawa, Plateau, Yobe, Jigawa, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, and Ogun—allocated budgets for climate projects in 2023.

Additionally, 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have developed climate action plans. Notably, Lagos, Enugu, and Rivers State have established dedicated climate change offices, with Rivers State being the only state to pass a Climate Change Bill into law.

While these developments are promising, Okereke emphasized the importance of monitoring and evaluating state-level efforts to ensure they achieve their goals. SPP, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Department for Climate Change, has initiated an annual ranking of climate change governance at the subnational level.

This ranking will assess administrative structures, budget allocations, policies, action plans, and other metrics. The inaugural ranking will be released on July 25, 2024, in Abuja, recognizing the top three states and highlighting areas needing improvement to encourage better climate action across states.

Okereke argued that for Nigeria to effectively combat climate change and advance sustainable development, state-level initiatives must complement federal policies. The upcoming ranking and continued scrutiny of state efforts will drive accountability and enhance climate action, ensuring Nigeria meets its climate goals.