The Federal Government has called for greater private investment and stronger partnerships to help finance Nigeria’s response to the growing effects of climate change.
Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal said government resources alone would not be sufficient to protect communities, infrastructure and economic activities from climate risks.
He made the call during an engagement with development partners, financial institutions, private companies, civil society and other stakeholders on the implementation of Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan.
The government said the plan provides a national framework for identifying climate threats, reducing vulnerability and integrating adaptation into development decisions at federal, state and sector levels.
Priority areas include agriculture, water, health, energy, infrastructure, forests, biodiversity, disaster management and human settlements.
Nigeria has also introduced other climate policy instruments, including the Climate Change Act, an updated Nationally Determined Contribution, the Energy Transition Plan, the National Clean Cooking Policy and a carbon market framework.
Lawal said moving from planning to implementation would require innovative financing, technology transfer, stronger institutions and sustained capital.
The government wants the private sector to play a larger role in climate resilient infrastructure, insurance, technology, value chains and nature based solutions.
Development partners were commended for supporting technical capacity, climate data, institutional development and access to international financing.
Officials said future adaptation programmes should be practical, measurable and capable of attracting investment.
The International Organisation for Migration also reaffirmed support for the National Adaptation Plan and said climate action should produce safer and more resilient communities.
The Federal Government said adaptation should increasingly be viewed not only as a public policy responsibility but also as an area capable of generating economic and social returns.
