The northwestern states of Nigeria have united under the Kano Declaration to combat the escalating climate crisis.
The declaration was signed by representatives from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara during the North-west Commissioners Summit on Climate Change, which took place in Kano and was hosted by the state’s Ministry of Environment.
The summit, organized recently by Surge Africa, aimed to create a platform for dialogue and to develop inter-state strategies for climate change mitigation in the region.
The Kano Declaration highlights the commitment of these states to biodiversity conservation, rural integration, and sustainable development, among other key environmental issues.
Abubakar Buba, the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources for Kaduna State, stressed the importance of regional collaboration in addressing climate insecurity, noting the shared environmental challenges across state borders.
Nasreen Al-Amin, the founder of Surge Africa, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for government and civil society organizations to work together on climate initiatives.
The summit facilitated discussions on vital issues intersecting climate change and sustainable development, leading to the development of action plans and climate funds to actualize the commitments made in the declaration.
The participants recognized the urgency of addressing climate change, particularly in Northern Nigeria’s fragile ecosystems, and expressed strong support for the adoption of a State Climate Action Plan and State Climate Fund as proposed by Surge Africa.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the northwestern states of Nigeria, as they join forces to tackle one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.