The federal government has called for increased private sector investment and stronger partnerships to help Nigeria tackle growing climate risks and build resilient communities. The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, made the call in Abuja at a stakeholders’ engagement on Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) with development partners and the private sector. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Salihu Aminu Usman, the minister said implementing the NAP would require innovative financing, technology transfer, stronger institutions and sustained investment. He said the plan provides a framework for identifying climate risks, reducing vulnerability and integrating adaptation into national and subnational development planning. According to him, the NAP sets priorities in critical sectors, including agriculture, water resources, health, infrastructure, energy, biodiversity, forestry, disaster management and human settlements. Lawal said the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for private investment through policy reforms, institutional coordination and partnerships aimed at reducing investment risks. He urged participants to identify practical solutions, develop bankable adaptation programmes and strengthen collaboration to move the NAP from planning to implementation. The Permanent Secretary said successful implementation of the plan could not be achieved by the government alone. He said the private sector had a critical role in developing climate-resilient technologies, mobilising investment, strengthening value chains, expanding climate insurance and financing resilient infrastructure. “Adaptation is no longer solely a public policy issue; it is increasingly a business imperative and an investment opportunity that can deliver economic, social and environmental returns,” he said. The government has also outlined several initiatives to drive climate action, including the Climate Change Act, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC3.0), Energy Transition Plan, National Clean Cooking Policy and National Carbon Market Activation Framework. The Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Sharon Dimanche, represented by Hajara Jalo, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in implementing the NAP. She said stronger partnerships were needed to translate the plan into tangible results and build safer and more resilient communities across the country.
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