By Ify Onyekwere
The National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) has launched its plans for 2025 with a press interactive session held on January 10, 2025, outlining key strategies for climate solutions and promoting sustainability in Nigeria.
Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe, the Director-General and Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts in addressing the worsening impacts of climate change. Speaking to members of the press, she underscored the critical role the media plays in educating the public, raising awareness, and driving behavioural change to support the NCCCS’s objectives.
The NCCCS, established under the Climate Change Act of 2021, is tasked with enforcing the country’s climate policies and ensuring that climate actions are integrated across sectors of Nigeria’s economy. As the world grapples with a climate crisis, Nigeria is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including droughts, flooding, erosion, and rising sea levels. These challenges are compounded by widespread poverty, insecurity, and a dependence on climate-sensitive livelihoods like agriculture and fishing.
For 2025, the NCCCS has adopted the theme “Amplifying Nature-Based Climate Solutions,” emphasizing the role of ecosystems in mitigating climate impacts. A key initiative for this year is a technical site visit to Nigeria’s Mangrove Forests, located primarily in the Niger Delta. As the largest mangrove forest in Africa and the third largest in the world, these forests are vital for carbon sequestration and coastal resilience. The NCCCS plans to assess the damage caused by climate change, promote reforestation efforts, and explore how mangroves can be integrated into global carbon markets.
In line with this theme, the NCCCS is organizing a Stakeholder Town Hall Meeting on World Wetlands Day in collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation. This gathering will focus on sustainable mangrove conservation, leading to the development of a National Roadmap for Mangrove Protection. The roadmap will align with the ongoing review of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), setting the stage for significant climate financing through initiatives like the Mangrove Breakthrough Initiative, which aims to raise $4 billion for mangrove conservation.
Looking ahead, the NCCCS has several other activities planned for 2025, including the Youth Climate Summit, Earth Day tree planting, and climate negotiator training. These initiatives are designed to engage various stakeholders in building a more climate-resilient Nigeria. Additionally, the NCCCS is working with the media to ensure early notification of registration for the UNFCCC COP30 conference, where Nigeria’s climate commitments will be discussed.
Dr. Maduekwe also announced the successful engagement of international partners to fund the review of Nigeria’s NDCs, which will align the country’s climate goals with sustainable development objectives. Nigerian consultants will play a key role in the review process, ensuring national ownership and knowledge transfer.
The NCCCS remains committed to Nigeria’s climate resilience, with an emphasis on partnership and collaboration. Dr. Maduekwe concluded by expressing her gratitude to the media for their ongoing support in advancing Nigeria’s climate agenda and achieving national and global sustainability goals.
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