Nigeria prepares for COP29, calls for accountability in climate finance
By Faridat Salifu
As Nigeria gears up for COP29, a one-day summit hosted by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in collaboration with SustyVibes has placed the spotlight on the country’s role in global climate action.
The event held recently in Abuja convened journalists, civil society organizations (CSOs), policymakers, and climate advocates to strategize on amplifying Nigeria’s climate narratives, with a specific focus on climate finance and accountability.
The recurring issue highlighted during the gathering was the lack of transparency and follow-through on financial commitments. Many voiced concerns that without proper tracking, unfulfilled pledges could jeopardize the progress expected at COP29, set to take place later this year.
This sentiment was echoed by participants at the pre-COP29 hangout, who emphasized the need for stringent monitoring of climate finance.
Daniel Oladoja, country lead at GSCC and moderator of the panel Navigating COP29: Strategizing Nigeria’s Priorities, stressed the critical need for data to verify the use and impact of pledged funds. Without this, he argued, accountability remains elusive.
The Media’s Role in Climate Advocacy
A key theme of the event was the role of Nigerian media in securing climate finance. Gift Nwamadu, Chief of Staff at Clean Tech Hub, argued that one of the reasons Nigeria struggles to attract climate funding is the failure to produce impact-driven stories. “We’re not getting funding because we’re not telling stories that demonstrate the real-life impacts of climate change,” Nwamadu said.
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Her company’s work in rural communities, where women are taught to turn waste into valuable products like chairs and bags, serves as an example of the kind of grassroots efforts that need to be amplified. She urged CSOs to leverage these stories in international climate negotiations to showcase Nigeria’s commitment to both adaptation and resilience.
Journalist Michael Etta also weighed in, highlighting the need for capacity-building within the media. He pointed out that many journalists lack the tools and knowledge to report effectively on climate adaptation strategies, which leaves gaps in public understanding and weakens the case for climate action. Etta called for increased training to empower media professionals to bridge this gap.
Strengthening Advocacy Ahead of COP29
The event provided a platform for dialogue between media representatives, CSOs, and government negotiators. Discussions revolved around Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), adaptation, and resilience strategies. Participants stressed the importance of crafting solution-oriented stories to engage both policymakers and the public, with an emphasis on making these stories accessible and impactful.
Hannah Omokhaye, Project Manager at SustyVibes, emphasized the need for Nigerian voices to be heard on the global stage. “By amplifying our nation’s stories and voices, we ensure that our climate priorities are heard loud and clear at COP29,” she said.
As COP29 adopts the theme Enhance Ambition and Enabling Action, Nigeria faces the challenge of scaling up its financial support while ensuring its climate strategies are clearly communicated. The Abuja event is a key step toward building a cohesive climate advocacy framework that will enable effective participation at COP29.
Accountability in Climate Finance
With COP29 on the horizon, the call for increased transparency in climate finance has grown louder.
At international conferences, grand promises are often made, but the real test is in delivering on those commitments. The pre-COP29 hangout in Abuja highlighted the pressing need for Nigeria to not only communicate its climate challenges but also hold both domestic and international actors accountable for the financial pledges they make.
This gathering marks a critical moment for Nigeria to bolster its climate advocacy efforts. It serves as a reminder that while pledges are important, without a framework for tracking and accountability, progress will remain stagnant. As Nigeria takes its place on the global stage at COP29, the nation’s ability to secure and effectively manage climate finance will be vital to its success in tackling climate change.
