By Faridat Salifu
In a landmark move to mainstream climate action and evidence-based policy, Nigeria has launched its first-ever Climate Impact Outlook Report, a comprehensive document aimed at projecting the nation’s climate trajectory and equipping stakeholders with critical information to prepare for a rapidly changing environment.
The event, held in Abuja on Thursday and hosted by the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC), brought together government agencies, academics, civil society actors, climate scientists, journalists, and development partners to unpack the report’s implications and spark new momentum around coordinated climate action.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of NCIC, stressed the broader purpose of the report beyond technical documentation.
“This is not just about launching a report,” Oloruntoba said. “It’s about igniting collaboration, aligning efforts across sectors, and building a bridge between policy frameworks and grassroots innovation. We need ecosystem-driven climate action, not fragmented responses.”
He emphasized NCIC’s role as a connector in Nigeria’s climate ecosystem, linking climate entrepreneurs with institutions, funders, and government systems to amplify sustainable impact.
“We are not working in silos. Our work complements national strategies like those of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). The road to a climate-resilient Nigeria must be paved with trust, coordination, and community,” he added.
Mr. Daniel Oladoja, representing the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), drew attention to the report’s foundation in local data and context, highlighting that it is not a prophecy, but a probability-based tool.
“All models have limitations, but some are useful. What we have here is a guide — not a cast-in-stone prediction — but a rigorously developed, data-backed outlook shaped by Nigeria’s past and present climate realities,” he said.
Oladoja credited contributions from prominent academics such as Professor Ibidun Adelakun and Professor Daniel Musa Geary, who ensured the scientific validity of the report.
“The aim is to inform policy in a way that is locally relevant and evidence-driven. We want this document to shape climate thinking and decision-making, not just today but for years to come,” he stated.
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Another powerful voice at the launch was Dr. Michael Terungwa David, founder and executive director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP).
He underscored the urgency behind the report by recalling Nigeria’s recent history of climate disasters.
“In 2012 and 2020, Nigeria lost an estimated ₦2.6 trillion — that’s $20 billion — to floods, displacing over 2 million people. These are not just numbers; they represent lives, livelihoods, and irreversible damage,” Dr. David said.
He went on to cite the 2022 floods, which, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), cost Nigeria another ₦9 billion.
Dr. David warned that 2025 could bring worse outcomes, noting that the latest flood forecast projects flooding in 30 states and over 1,200 communities, including the Federal Capital Territory.
“What will we lose this year? What will the climate cost us by 2030 or 2060 if we continue business as usual?” he queried, stating, “We don’t have the luxury of time. That’s why this report is both crucial and historic.”
Dr. David echoed a powerful sentiment in closing, calling for a mental shift in how Nigeria approaches climate change.
“The illiterates of the 21st century are not those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot unlearn, learn, and relearn,” he said.
“Let’s move beyond the narratives we once believed and embrace new knowledge. Let’s question, collaborate, and innovate — because this is serious business.”
The report is expected to serve as a vital resource for policymakers, innovators, researchers, and the media.
It not only outlines potential climate futures but also aims to drive home the importance of adaptation, resilience, and climate-smart development in Nigeria’s path forward.
As the climate crisis continues to unfold globally and locally, Nigeria’s Climate Impact Outlook Report represents a bold step toward future-readiness — rooted in science, collaboration, and a renewed sense of urgency.
