By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Ministry of Environment has outlined measures to strengthen Nigeria’s response to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution during its 18th National Council on Environment (NCE) meeting held in, Katsina, Katsina State.
The 3-day council meeting, themed: “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” brought together policymakers, environmental experts, development partners, and regulatory agencies to deliberate on practical solutions for improved environmental governance and sustainable development nationwide.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, emphasized the urgency of addressing the triple planetary crises, warning that climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution pose significant threats to Nigeria’s economic growth, food security, public health, and livelihoods.
He noted the rising incidence of flooding, desertification, ecosystem degradation, and pollution across the country, stressing the need for decisive and coordinated national action to safeguard the environment.
Lawal reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing environmental governance through collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, as well as partnerships with the private sector, development partners, and host communities.
He urged stakeholders to translate the council’s resolutions into concrete policies and actionable measures that would drive sustainable development while protecting the environment for present and future generations.
Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Chukwuemeka Woke, highlighted the importance of strong institutional coordination, science-based policies, and sustained collaboration among all levels of government and relevant stakeholders to effectively address environmental challenges.
Woke identified pollution, particularly oil spills, as a major threat to ecosystems, livelihoods, and sustainable development, stressing that environmental degradation exacerbates climate impacts and weakens biodiversity, while gaps in coordination and financing undermine effective pollution control.
He emphasized that regulatory agencies like NOSDRA require adequate support through clear policies, innovative financing, and inter-agency cooperation to achieve meaningful environmental protection outcomes.
Woke aligned NOSDRA’s mandate with national initiatives such as the National Adaptation Plan, the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, and the Great Green Wall Programme, noting that environmental protection forms the foundation of public health, economic stability, and national development.
The 18th NCE was described as timely and impactful, with participants confident that its resolutions would strengthen inter-agency collaboration and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to oil spills, pollution control, and broader environmental challenges.
The Federal Ministry of Environment’s initiatives underscore Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable development and demonstrate a structured approach to mitigating the complex and interconnected environmental crises confronting the nation.