The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) convened a one-day national consultative workshop to assess Nigeria’s progress in implementing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
This workshop is part of the nation’s broader efforts to review and strengthen its climate commitments.
In her remarks at the meeting in Abuja, the director-general of NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe highlighted ongoing collaborations with relevant partners regarding Nigeria’s NDCs. “We’ve engaged with key stakeholders, such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which is already supporting the national stocktake through consulting efforts,” she said.
Maduekwe noted increased interest from development partners in supporting Nigeria’s energy transition and renewable energy initiatives. The council has received significant backing in areas like energy transition and renewable energy, presenting numerous opportunities for the country.
She emphasised the importance of capacity building for the project’s success, citing support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate Promise initiative. These partnerships recently facilitated an intensive workshop for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on climate financing. According to her, understanding climate finance is essential to accessing the necessary funds to meet the NDCs.
In preparation for COP29, Maduekwe stressed the need for experienced climate negotiators, stating that climate negotiation is a long-term career, not a one-off event. “COP29 will focus on negotiations, and we are committed to equipping our negotiators to protect Nigeria’s interests,” she added.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio announced a new policy requiring corps members to plant 10 trees each during their service year, aiming to plant 4 million trees annually by 2030. She emphasised the policy’s role in combating deforestation and fostering a generation of environmentally conscious leaders.
First secretary of climate diplomacy in West Africa, British High Commission, Samantha Harrison affirmed the UK’s commitment to helping Nigeria translate strong climate policies into action. She added that the NDC stocktake would assist Nigeria in prioritising resources, skills and funding in key sectors of its economy.
US Embassy representative, Mr. Bryan Lupton, highlighted productive discussions from the inaugural US-Nigeria Binational Commission in April 2024, with climate and energy as central topics.
Hon. Sam Onuigbo, member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s NDC implementation and the identification of areas for improvement.
