The 2024 climate governance performance report, which assesses and ranks Nigeria’s 36 states, highlighted Lagos, Gombe, and Ebonyi as the top three performers, achieving scores of 182, 125, and 123 out of a possible 325 points, respectively.
This report was launched on Thursday in Abuja by the Society for Planet and Prosperity in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.
According to the findings, Borno and Ekiti states tied for fourth place, each earning 115 points. Notably, Lagos State was the only one to be categorized as outstanding in its performance, while Gombe and Ebonyi were classified as high performers.
The report also identified states that fell within the good performance range, which includes those ranked from fourth to twelfth. These states are Borno, Ekiti, Edo, Niger, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, and Yobe.
States rated as having average performance, ranked from fifteenth to twenty-second, are Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Enugu, Taraba, Kogi, Bauchi, and Ondo. In contrast, states falling within the lowest performance category, occupying positions twenty-third to thirty-sixth, include Cross-River, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, Rivers, Osun, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Oyo, Kano, and Zamfara, with Zamfara receiving the lowest score of just 35 points.
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, the Director of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, elaborated that Gombe, Lagos, and Ekiti excelled in their institutional arrangements and administrative structures that support subnational climate leadership.
He also noted that in terms of climate project implementation and monitoring, Lagos, Borno, and Niger were the top three states.
“Lagos, Anambra, Edo, Ogun, Taraba, Kaduna, Ondo, Akwa-Ibom, Katsina have functional websites or links on the state official websites for the Ministry of Environment/Climate Change and with several pages showing dynamic web activities.
“To some degree, all states capture climate and climate-related projects in their budgets. However, only 21 states specifically tagged the allotted projects as climate change projects.
“No state has issued a green bond. Only Gombe indicated issuance of green bonds in its 2024 budget but this has not been implemented,” he stated.
In his keynote address, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal emphasized the crucial importance of climate governance at the subnational level, stressing that this is where the effects of climate change are most severely experienced, making effective governance at this level vital for addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Lawal explained, “Lands in coastal communities are devastated by erosion while desertification is rampant in the Northern region of the Country. The Sub-National Governments are often at the forefront of implementing policies and actions that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the people at the grassroots level, therefore, their role in driving climate action is indispensable.
“The subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking is more than just a ranking, it is a tool for motivation, collaboration, and accountability. It highlights the best practices, identifies areas for improvement, and fosters a spirit of healthy competition among our States and Local Governments.
“By celebrating the achievements of the top performers and providing support to those lagging, we can collectively elevate our national climate response. The criteria for this ranking are rigorous and comprehensive, reflecting the multifaceted nature of climate governance.
“The process encompasses policy formulation, implementation effectiveness, stakeholders’ engagement, resource allocation, and measurable outcomes. This holistic approach ensures that our assessment is not merely quantitative but also qualitative, capturing the distinction of effective climate governance,” Lawal stated.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, acknowledged that the ranking marked a significant achievement in the collaborative efforts to confront the pressing issues presented by climate change, highlighting the progress made in addressing this critical concern.
Salako stated, “As we gather here, we are reminded of the critical role that effective governance plays in mitigating the impacts of climate change and driving sustainable development.
“Nigeria, like many other nations, is experiencing the far-reaching consequences of climate change. From intensified droughts to severe flooding, the impacts are evident across our states, affecting lives, livelihoods, and our natural ecosystems. It is against this backdrop that we must recognise the pivotal role of our subnational governments in climate action.
“Today’s event is therefore to highlight the commitment of our 36 states and the FCT to climate governance and the strides they have made in implementing policies, strategies, and actions to combat climate change. The subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking serves as a platform to celebrate these successes, identify areas for improvement, and foster healthy competition that drives progress.”
He further emphasized that the ranking serves as a reminder that tackling climate change necessitates a unified and collaborative effort, involving all stakeholders and sectors, to effectively address its far-reaching impacts.
