The federal government and environmental stakeholders have called for increased access to green financing, stronger environmental governance, and sustainable investments as critical tools for tackling climate change, creating jobs, and accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth.
The call was made at the Nigeria Environmental Summit (NESt 2026), themed: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Green Economy: Driving Climate Action and Strengthening Environmental Governance,” in Abuja.
Speaking at the summit, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Salihu Usman, said Nigeria must position itself to take advantage of emerging climate and green investment opportunities.
He said climate funds, carbon markets, public-private partnerships, blended finance mechanisms, renewable energy investments, ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, and waste-to-wealth initiatives offer significant opportunities for environmental sustainability, economic transformation, and employment generation.
“We must unlock green finance opportunities and strengthen environmental governance through policy reforms, regulatory enforcement, accountability, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships that will accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a climate-resilient and sustainable economy,” Lawal said.
Cluster Lead for Disease Control at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria, Dr. Mya Ngon, urged policymakers to place health at the centre of climate and environmental decision-making.
She referenced Nigeria’s 2024 Climate and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment, which indicated that climate-related factors could account for as much as 21 per cent of the country’s disease burden.
In her remarks, the executive secretary of NESUG, Chem. Rita Michael-Ojo, called for stronger collaboration among governments, businesses, development partners, communities and citizens to address Nigeria’s environmental challenges.
“No single institution can solve Nigeria’s environmental challenges alone. NESt represents one platform where stakeholders unite to build a greener, healthier and more prosperous future for Nigeria,” she said.
Chairman of the NESt 2026 Multi-sectoral Implementation Team, Dr. Edwin Isotu Edeh, described the summit as a call to transform environmental challenges into opportunities for resilience, investment and inclusive growth.
“Environmental sustainability is no longer an environmental issue alone; it is an economic, health, investment and national security imperative,” Edeh said.
He highlighted major environmental challenges confronting Nigeria, including flooding, air pollution, poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, inadequate waste management, and pollution associated with oil and gas activities.
