FG Renews Commitment to Tackle Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Pollution

The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to confronting the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, describing them as critical threats to Nigeria’s sustainable development and environmental security.

The commitment was reaffirmed at the closing of the 18th National Council on Environment (NCE) meeting, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Environment at the Katsina State Secretariat, Katsina State.

The three-day meeting brought together commissioners, environmental experts, policymakers and development partners from across the country to deliberate on strengthening environmental governance and promoting sustainable development.

Held under the theme, “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” the council meeting served as a high-level platform for coordinated national action on environmental challenges.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, described the theme as timely and imperative, noting that the triple planetary crisis poses serious risks to livelihoods, economic resilience and ecosystem stability across Nigeria.

“This is collectively known as the triple planetary crisis, recognised as critical to Nigeria’s sustainable development, economic resilience and environmental security, as rising temperatures, desertification, flooding, pollution and ecosystem degradation continue to undermine livelihoods across the country,” Lawal said.

“These crises are deeply interlinked and demand an integrated, science-driven and multi-sectoral response, supported by innovative financing, stronger private-sector participation and collaboration across all levels of government,” added the minister.

Earlier, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, represented by his deputy, Malam Faruk Jobe, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability, describing the NCE as a vital platform for policy harmonisation, collaboration and coordinated action in addressing Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges.