By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria has taken a major step toward a sustainable future with the official launch of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Net Zero Nature-Positive (NZNP) Project, aimed at promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
The inauguration, held on October 13, 2025, at Bolton White Hotel in Abuja, brought together top environmental officials, development partners, and stakeholders from across the country.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Aneke Agnes Nkechi, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics and GEF Operational Focal Point at the Federal Ministry of Environment, said the project marks a milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward achieving its Net Zero emission target by 2060 and Nature Positive commitment by 2030.
She maintained that the initiative would expand access to clean energy, promote ecosystem restoration, and reduce the risks associated with sustainable investments.
Speaking during the event, the Director of Forestry, Mrs. Halima Bawa-Bwari, described the NZNP Project as a transformative platform designed to strengthen institutional coordination, restore degraded lands, and empower vulnerable groups.
She highlighted that Nigeria, with its 17 national parks and over 1,000 forest reserves, continues to make progress in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection.
According to her, the project also integrates social equity by ensuring that women, youth, and indigenous communities are not only protected but also empowered to participate in nature-based development.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, said the Niger Delta region, rich in mangroves and wetlands, has faced years of environmental degradation.
She noted that the project would work with local communities, women’s groups, and youth networks to restore ecosystems and create green jobs while fostering climate resilience.
Attafuah the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Environment, UNDP, UNEP, and GEF will integrate net-zero strategies into state development plans and promote environmental accountability in the private sector.
The project’s implementation, she added, symbolizes a renewed national commitment to turning environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth, equity, and resilience across the Niger Delta and beyond.