By George George Idowu
In response to Nigeria’s concerning ranking as the 53rd most vulnerable and 179th most ready country to adapt to climate change globally (Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index 2021), the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and Climate Action Africa (CAA) have united to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria.
The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the NCCC office in Abuja on Friday.
Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of NCCC, highlighted the significance of this partnership in building a climate-resilient nation. “Our collaboration with Climate Action Africa is a pivotal step towards building a climate-resilient Nigeria.
Through joint efforts, we aim to promptly address vulnerabilities and work towards sustainable solutions for our nation,” he stated.
Grace Oluchi Mbah, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CAA, emphasized Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change and the necessity for collective action to tackle these vulnerabilities. “Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change necessitates immediate and collective action. Through this partnership, we aspire to harness the power of innovation, sustainable practices, policy dialogue, and community engagement to reshape Nigeria’s future and set a global example,” Grace added.
According to the ND GAIN report, Nigeria faces significant challenges from extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, erosion, and rising sea levels, particularly threatening sectors like agriculture, water resources, public health, and settlements.
The signatories of the MOU included Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General of NCCC; Grace Oluchi Mbah, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CAA; Michael Ivenso, Director of Energy, Transportation, and Infrastructure at NCCC, among others.
This collaboration precedes the highly anticipated Climate Action Africa Forum (CAAF24), scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from June 17th to 19th, 2024.
CAAF24 is a global event aimed at bringing together stakeholders worldwide to encourage collaboration, catalyze actionable solutions, and urge governments, businesses, and individuals to invest in climate-smart initiatives.