By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group to develop Nigeria’s first National Carbon Budget as part of efforts to combat climate change and fulfill commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, announced the initiative on Thursday during a stakeholder engagement session in Abuja.
He said the carbon budget will guide Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions management, aligning national development with environmental sustainability.
Lawal stated that the carbon budget represents a critical step in addressing the environmental and socio-economic challenges posed by climate change.
He emphasized that the process must include broad participation across all sectors, including energy, transport, agriculture, water resources, finance, civil society, academia, and youth-led climate groups.
“Nigeria is committed to reducing emissions through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and this budget will provide a structured framework to track and manage our climate actions,” he said.
The minister added that while government agencies would provide oversight, civil society groups would ensure transparency, the private sector would drive innovation, and development partners and academia would contribute expertise and funding.
A well-planned carbon budget, Lawal said, would help Nigeria mitigate climate risks such as flooding, drought, and desertification while supporting sustainable economic growth.
Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, an expert in climate governance, explained that a carbon budget defines the total emissions a country can produce within a given period to stay within global temperature targets.
Kenneth Kwujeh of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning noted the budget would integrate climate goals into Nigeria’s economic planning, stressing the need for a roadmap between 2026 and 2030.
Special Assistant to the President on Energy Transition, Yasmin Mohammed, urged coordination across government bodies, while UNIDO’s National Project Coordinator, Kunle Olusile, pledged continued support for the initiative.
