The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) and the Department of Climate Change (DCC) have taken new steps to strengthen subnational climate governance following the release of Nigeria’s second climate ranking.
As part of its COP30 engagements, SPP convened a strategic meeting between the Under2 Coalition Secretariat and senior state climate officials to advance visibility, coordination and financing for Nigeria’s subnational climate action.
The meeting discussed how Nigerian states can amplify their voice at global climate platforms and attract more funding to implement ambitious climate programmes, especially in renewable energy, adaptation and emissions-reduction initiatives.
Participants included Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe and Ms. Dolapo John of the DCC; Champa Patel and Toby Walker of the Climate Group; and state representatives from Niger, Ogun, Kano and Osun.
State officials at the roundtable included Engr Galadima, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Musa, Mr. Olamide Lawal, Dr. Dahir Hashim, and Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, with facilitation by Mr. Gboyega Olorunfemi of SPP.
The Under2 Coalition, with over 270 members worldwide, is the largest global network of states and regions committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier, through coordinated climate leadership.
Patel noted that Nigerian states are critical frontiers for climate action because of their large populations and exposure to extreme weather, deforestation pressures and energy transition challenges impacting local development.
She highlighted the contributions of Taraba and Cross River states at recent international climate events, including the Bonn climate meetings and the Africa Climate Week held earlier in Addis Ababa.
Patel said Under2 aims to work closely with SPP and DCC to ensure Nigerian states gain visibility, access and meaningful participation at global climate summits and high-level negotiation platforms.
She added that the coalition is shifting towards technical assistance, feasibility studies and blended finance support to help states prepare bankable climate proposals attractive to global climate financing institutions.
Patel announced upcoming investment dialogues from 2024 to 2026, culminating in the launch of the Global State and Regional Finance Accelerator to be showcased at COP31 next year.
The accelerator will link state-level climate projects with private and institutional capital, opening new opportunities for states to expand renewable infrastructure, early-warning systems, adaptation solutions and emissions-reduction pathways.
Dr. Abiola-Awe said many Nigerian states are already demonstrating innovations in climate governance, as reflected in the recent ranking results, and noted these approaches could be replicated internationally.
She cited DCC efforts including the Community of Practice for Commissioners of Environment supported by PACE, UK FCDO, and nationwide GHG reporting and climate-finance training facilitated by SPP.
Abiola-Awe said these platforms can be expanded across Africa and serve as strong entry points for collaboration with the Under2 Coalition, especially for state-level climate advisers and directors-general.
Olorunfemi thanked participants for attending at short notice and said Nigeria’s climate ambition will advance rapidly when global coalitions have institutionalised channels to work directly with local actors.
The strengthened partnership between DCC, SPP and the Under2 Secretariat is expected to boost visibility, coordination and financing for Nigerian states while advancing the country’s climate leadership globally.
Gboyega Olorunfemi, Project Lead / Senior Policy Analyst, SPP, and Dolapo John, Subnational Desk, DCC, report from Belem, Brazil.