Climate change undermining livelihoods – Minister
Orisemeke Benjamin
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, says rising temperatures, desertification, flooding, pollution, and ecosystem degradation were undermining livelihoods across Nigeria.
In his keynote address at 18th National Council on Environment (NCE), which was held in Katsina, the minister called for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to confront the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
According to him, addressing the challenges is critical Nigeria’s sustainable development, economic resilience, and environmental security.
The conference had as its theme: “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”
The minister commended Katsina State for its exemplary leadership in climate governance, noting its second-place ranking in the 2025 Sub national Climate Governance Performance Ranking.
Lawal urged other states to replicate Katsina’s approach in transforming challenges such as desertification and soil degradation into opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment, the minister cited ongoing national initiatives including the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, the Great Green Wall Programme under the leadership of the Director General/CEO, Saleh Abubakar, the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, and renewable energy and clean cooking policies.
He also called for innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, green bonds, climate funds, and carbon markets, while encouraging stronger private-sector engagement, identifying corporate actors such as the Dangote Group and Nigeria Bottling Company as potential partners in environmental restoration and sustainability efforts.
In his remarks, the Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mallam Farouk Lawal Jobe, reaffirmed the state’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
He highlighted the Governor’s early approval of funding and sustained support that ensured the successful hosting of the Council, describing the NCE as a vital platform for policy harmonization, collaboration, and coordinated action in addressing Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges.
