Stakeholders in Nigeria’s climate change sector have gathered in Kano to chart a course for an inclusive and sustainable transition to a low-carbon economy, as part of ongoing consultations on the development of the country’s Just Transition Guidelines.
The meeting, held in Kano, North-West Nigeria, marks the second national stakeholder consultation workshop on the initiative.
It brought together government agencies, private sector representatives, labour unions, civil society, development partners, and community leaders to deliberate on a framework that ensures fairness and inclusivity in the transition to a green economy.
Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Nkiruka Madueke, said the Kano engagement was designed to refine strategies and integrate diverse perspectives gathered from the first consultation held in Lagos.
“This guideline must reflect the voices and lived experiences of all Nigerians,” Madueke stressed. “It’s about more than just policies and technologies—it’s about people, their livelihoods, and how we shape the future of our workforce.”
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Represented by Mr. Bala Rufai Najega Dr. Madueke highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic growth, job creation, and social inclusion, as central to the Just Transition process.
He noted that, the transition must not leave any community or sector behind, emphasizing that, existing policies such as the Energy Transition Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Climate Change Act, and the National Development Plan already lay a strong foundation for a people-driven transition.
He further called for a holistic approach, one that goes beyond infrastructure to include skill development, creation of green jobs, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
In his remarks, Kano State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Dahiru Hashim, reaffirmed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to positioning Kano as a sub-national leader in climate action.
“Kano is determined to stay at the forefront of Nigeria’s climate movement,” he said. “We are building partnerships, leveraging innovation, and mobilising resources to achieve our vision of a greener and more resilient state.”
Dr. Hashim also revealed that, the state has launched a five million tree planting campaign for 2025, aimed at combating land degradation, improving air quality, enhancing urban aesthetics, and supporting biodiversity.
He emphasized that climate action must be people-centered. “That’s why we’re prioritising climate education, public awareness, and youth engagement,” he added, noting the government’s rollout of school and community-based environmental education programmes.
Speaking on behalf of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr. Stephen Agagua described the consultations as crucial in navigating both the challenges and opportunities of a green economy.
“Nigeria remains committed to its international obligations, including the Paris Agreement, the development of its NDCs, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,” he noted.
Similar stakeholder consultations are scheduled to take place in other regions of the country, as efforts to develop Nigeria’s Just Transition Guidelines continue nationwide.