• Adaptation finance needs of developing countries projected to exceed US$310 billion annually by 2035• Global goal to double adaptation funding by 2025 unlikely to be met• Report urges urgent action as climate impacts intensify The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that slow progress in climate adaptation is putting millions of lives, livelihoods, and entire economies at risk, particularly in developing countries. According to the Adaptation Gap Report 2025: Running on Empty, released ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, developing countries will require over US$310 billion annually by 2035 to meet adaptation needs — more than 12 times…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Zenture Partners, a consultancy-led and AI-powered telecom lifecycle management provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Graphiant, a leader in private, next-generation Network-as-a-Service (NaaS). The collaboration aims to provide enterprises with cloud-native, software-defined networking that delivers end-to-end clarity and control over inventory, invoices, and network infrastructure — all with the agility and visibility of NaaS. Through its MyZenture platform, Zenture adds an intelligent layer to telecom procurement, enabling enterprises to cut costs, enhance performance, and accelerate network transformation. By combining AI-driven lifecycle automation with Graphiant’s programmable NaaS fabric, enterprises can eliminate redundant assets, prevent overbilling, and dynamically scale connectivity to…
A new global analysis has revealed that the world needs to invest US$443 billion annually to help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change — an amount less than what is currently spent each year on agricultural subsidies that harm the environment and public health. The report, conducted by Climate Focus on behalf of Family Farmers for Climate Action, a global alliance representing 95 million small-scale producers across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific, was released ahead of the COP30 climate summit, where adaptation is expected to dominate discussions. According to the study, smallholder farmers who cultivate 10 hectares or…
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has unveiled plans to expand the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), a move that will make it the largest refinery in the world. The expansion, to be completed within three years, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security, boost exports, and drive Africa’s industrial transformation. Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Dangote said the $20 billion facility — already the world’s largest single-train refinery — would complete its expansion within three years. The move, he said, was driven by Africa’s rising demand for cleaner fuels, emerging regional opportunities,…
Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki has announced that he will not seek re-election into the House of Representatives in the 2027 general election, describing his decision as a personal sacrifice to give younger Nigerians a chance to serve and lead. In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, Dasuki reflected on his public service journey since 2011 — spanning the Sokoto State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the State Executive Council — where he said he worked to advance security, youth and women empowerment, and community development. He explained that his decision was not out of fatigue…
Nigeria’s oil revenue dropped by 22% to ₦3.9 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting a significant shortfall against budgetary expectations. This is according to the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) in its Q4 2024 Budget Implementation Report. The report revealed that the country recorded ₦3.91 trillion in gross oil revenue, representing a ₦1.09 trillion (21.82%) decline compared to the prorated quarterly budget estimate. Performance also fell short of the ₦4.62 trillion generated in the third quarter of 2024 by ₦714.61 billion (15.46%), though it marked a notable improvement of ₦2.02 trillion (107.23%) over the ₦1.89 trillion earned…
Ivorians headed to the polls on Saturday in a presidential election dominated by 83-year-old incumbent Alassane Ouattara, the overwhelming favourite seeking a fourth term in office. Ouattara has led the world’s top cocoa producer since 2011, overseeing years of economic growth as the nation reasserted itself as a West African powerhouse. Nearly nine million voters are eligible to choose among five contenders, though Ouattara’s path appears largely unobstructed after key opposition figures were barred. Former president Laurent Gbagbo was disqualified over a criminal conviction, while ex–Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam was excluded for holding French nationality. Turnout will be key…
The Sokoto State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have renewed their partnership to eradicate polio in Northwest Nigeria, pledging intensified vaccination campaigns, stronger community engagement, and improved surveillance to protect every child from the crippling disease. Marking the 2025 World Polio Day, officials, health partners, and traditional leaders reaffirmed that collaboration remains key to sustaining Nigeria’s victory over polio. Sokoto’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Farouk Abubakar Wurno said the state, working with UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International, and other partners, has achieved over 90 percent vaccination coverage in recent rounds across high-risk areas. “We are determined to sustain…
Experts have called for the adoption of digital forest management to unlock Nigeria’s vast economic and environmental potential. Delivering a virtual keynote address at the 9th Biennial Conference of the Forests and Forest Products Society (FFPS) themed “Healthy and Resilient Forests for a Buoyant Nigerian Economy” in Akure on Wednesday, Professor Timo Tokola of the University of Eastern Finland said digital monitoring can transform forest management and sustainability in Nigeria. He highlighted the high economic value of forests — including medicinal plants, timber, paper, fibre, furniture, and ecosystem services — but warned that these benefits are threatened by illegal logging,…
Governments and energy companies are increasingly acting on methane emission alerts, but global efforts must accelerate to meet the 2030 target of cutting methane by 30 per cent, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report — An Eye on Methane: From Measurement to Momentum — published by UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), reveals that government and industry responses to over 3,500 methane alerts have risen from just one per cent last year to 12 per cent in 2025. However, nearly 90 per cent of reported cases still remain unaddressed. Methane, a greenhouse…