By Abdullahi Lukman
Climate governance expert and legal practitioner, Huzi Mshelia, has called for greater support and investment in subnational climate action in Nigeria, warning that the country’s most vulnerable communities remain dangerously exposed to climate risks.
Speaking at a recent webinar organized by the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), Mshelia presented a paper titled *”Empowering Climate Resilience: Role of Partnership in Subnational Climate Action”*, where he emphasized that effective and inclusive partnerships are key to building resilience at the local level.
According to Mshelia, local governments are on the frontlines of climate-induced disasters such as flooding, drought, and desertification, yet often lack the financial and technical resources to respond effectively.
He argued that decentralised governance and community-led solutions offer the best chance for sustainable adaptation.
“State and local governments are closest to affected populations and best placed to implement targeted interventions,” he said, adding that the Nigerian Climate Change Act 2021 and the Electricity Act 2023 offer a legal framework for empowering subnational actors.
Mshelia stressed the need for dynamic partnerships that bring together government agencies, civil society, private sector players, academia, and international organizations.
“No one can go it alone,” he said. “Adaptation is complex and resource-intensive. Partnerships unlock financing, drive innovation, and strengthen local ownership.”
He outlined key principles for successful partnerships, including clear governance structures, legal backing, mutual trust, inclusive planning, and flexibility.
He also highlighted the importance of devolving decision-making and addressing inequalities affecting women, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, and displaced communities.
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Examples of effective collaborative climate initiatives cited in his presentation included Nigeria’s BNRCC Project, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ urban resilience programs, and the African Adaptation Initiative.
These cases, he said, demonstrated the power of coordinated local action.
Mshelia described locally led adaptation (LLA) as a strategic advantage, noting that it facilitates faster response to climate shocks and places affected communities at the center of solutions.
However, he warned of ongoing challenges such as fragmented policy frameworks, inadequate legal support, unequal power dynamics, and lack of access to climate finance.
“Subnational entities are rarely prioritized for funding, even though they bear the brunt of climate impacts,” he noted. “We lack a pipeline of bankable, investment-ready projects at the local level.”
To address these gaps, Mshelia called for policy reforms and stronger institutional support for subnational climate governance.
He also urged integration of climate goals into broader development sectors like health, agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Proposed approaches include climate-smart social protection, digital innovation hubs, local leadership training, and transparent community-based governance mechanisms.
He further recommended increased collaboration with research institutions and civil society to scale impact and deepen awareness.
Mshelia concluded by stressing the urgency of climate action in Nigeria, warning that the cost of inaction continues to rise.
“In 2022 alone, Nigeria lost over $6.6 billion to flood-related damages. We can no longer afford to delay locally driven solutions,” he said.
