By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has launched the second edition of the Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking (SCGPR 2.0) to strengthen state-level climate accountability and accelerate coordinated action toward national and global climate goals.
The ranking, unveiled on Tuesday at the BON Hotel Octagon in Abuja, was introduced by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the Department of Climate Change in collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity, with support from the University of Bristol and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UKFCDO).
Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister for Environment Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal said the ranking represents a deliberate effort to measure, compare, and accelerate climate action across Nigeria’s 36 states.
He noted that climate change is a global challenge, but its most effective solutions are implemented at the subnational level where policies meet communities and local realities.
“This ranking is not just a measure of performance; it is a catalyst for learning, collaboration, and shared ambition,” the minister said. “It invites constructive competition that lifts the entire system, not one that pits communities against each other.”
He explained that the SCGPR 2.0 provides consistent indicators across states to benchmark progress, identify gaps, and strengthen accountability in emission reduction, resilience-building, and sustainable development.
“The ranking enables knowledge sharing among states, helps align funding and technical support with performance gaps, and ensures transparency in how leaders advance climate goals,” the minister added.
He emphasized that effective subnational climate governance requires integrating decarbonization into local planning, investing in clean energy, and adopting inclusive approaches that protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Environment will continue to tailor capacity-building programmes, strengthen data systems, and reward effective strategies that can be replicated across states.
He urged commissioners for environment, climate change directors, and partners to view the ranking as a map for progress rather than a verdict, saying it should guide states toward higher performance and greater accountability.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari, said the ranking serves as a practical instrument for learning, accountability, and action that will enable collaboration between the Federal Government, state authorities, and civil society.
Kambari noted that the initiative “illuminates where we stand, where we must improve, and how we can co-create solutions that work on the ground for our people.”
He commended the Department of Climate Change, the Society for Planet and Prosperity, and development partners for their commitment to transparent, data-driven governance and their support in shaping a robust framework for the rankings.
“The aim of this ranking is not to stigmatize but to empower,” Kambari said. “By measuring performance and publishing the results, we strengthen accountability and accelerate implementation.”
He urged state governments to use the ranking as a tool to set measurable targets, mobilize resources, and engage communities in designing locally relevant climate solutions.
The Permanent Secretary also appreciated technical and funding support from partners including the UKFCDO-PACE and the University of Bristol, stressing that the collaboration has made the ranking credible and internationally aligned.
The SCGPR 2.0 builds on the inaugural 2024 edition, which pioneered Nigeria’s first nationwide benchmark of climate governance across states. The previous edition led to several reforms, including the creation of climate change directorates, policy updates, and increased budgetary allocations in multiple states.
The new ranking assesses states based on five key areas climate change administrative framework, climate policies and action plans, budget and finance, project implementation and reporting, and online visibility of climate action.
Officials said the refined methodology of SCGPR 2.0 ensures a transparent, data-driven, and participatory assessment process, providing valuable insights to policymakers and development actors.
The event called for continuous improvement, stronger collaboration between states and federal institutions, and greater public participation to build a resilient and sustainable Nigeria.
