By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Ministry of Environment has reiterated Nigeria’s determination to harness the economic benefits of its National Adaptation Plan, stressing that inaction in the face of climate change is no longer an option.
Speaking at the Validation Workshop for the Economic Appraisal for the Development of an Adaptation Finance Strategy in Abuja on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said the process would help outline what investors stand to gain from adaptation planning and what the country risks losing without it.
Kambari, who was represented by Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the ministry’s Director in charge of Climate Change, noted that Nigeria is moving forward with the formulation of its National Adaptation Plan to ensure its timely delivery ahead of the Conference of Parties (COP) in Brazil later this year.
He explained that the development of an adaptation finance framework would provide a blueprint for mobilising, managing, and directing resources towards the country’s adaptation priorities.
He added that another objective of the gathering was to begin drafting the National Adaptation Plan document in readiness for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Earlier, in her welcome address, in her personal capacity, Abiola-Awe described the workshop as another milestone in Nigeria’s journey to building climate resilience, pointing out that the impacts of climate change are no longer distant but already evident.
She stressed that while mitigation is crucial, adaptation is equally necessary because it strengthens national systems, protects lives, and redefines development pathways toward sustainability.
She said the National Adaptation Plan process was designed to identify Nigeria’s medium- and long-term adaptation needs, ensuring that the country was adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Gift Gewona, Task Manager for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Nigeria, urged the nation to make wise investment choices on climate adaptation projects.
He emphasised that adaptation measures must deliver the greatest possible returns and that the costs must always justify the funding.
Gewona noted that Nigeria could not afford to expend scarce resources on plans that do not provide tangible results, highlighting the need for cost-effective, result-oriented measures.
The Validation Workshop, which also served as an avenue for drafting the National Adaptation Plan document, brought together government officials, development partners, and stakeholders committed to advancing Nigeria’s climate resilience efforts.
Participants agreed that prioritising adaptation is central not only to protecting communities from climate shocks but also to unlocking economic opportunities that can boost growth and development.
They noted that climate change has become a defining issue of development planning, requiring all sectors to integrate adaptation into their strategies.
Observers pointed out that the emphasis on economic appraisal of the adaptation plan would serve as a strong incentive for investors, reassuring them of the value in supporting adaptation projects.
The call from Abuja was clear: Nigeria must press forward with its adaptation agenda, ensuring that climate finance flows into strategic areas that deliver both resilience and economic growth.
The government maintained that the National Adaptation Plan was not just a climate response but also an economic strategy to secure the country’s future in an increasingly unpredictable world.
By underscoring the economic benefits, officials believe the process will inspire stronger support from both domestic and international partners, paving the way for effective implementation ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
