Nigeria must urgently strengthen climate governance at the state and local government levels, raise climate awareness among citizens, and empower communities to lead adaptation efforts to achieve its 2060 net-zero emissions target.
Prof. Babajide Alo, Professor of Chemistry and former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics & Research) at the University of Lagos, stated this during a Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) Media Roundtable on Thursday.
He spoke on the topic, “Climate Change, Health, and the Nigerian Reality: Securing Our Climate Future for a Resilient Nigeria.”
Alo noted that while the Federal Government has established a National Climate Change Policy, submitted its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and launched initiatives like the Great Green Wall and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), climate action remains heavily concentrated at the federal level.
He lamented that states and local governments, where the impacts of climate change are most directly felt, have received comparatively little attention in policy development, institutional capacity, financing, and implementation.
“This is a significant gap since the impacts of climate change are mostly borne by states, and policies at the subnational level are critical to addressing climate change and achieving Nigeria’s net-zero goal,” he said.
Most Nigerian states have yet to develop comprehensive climate policies or action plans, and dedicated budgets for climate programs are largely absent.
He highlighted low climate literacy among state officials, weak public awareness, limited cross-sector collaboration, and poor alignment between state initiatives and national priorities.
Alo warned that these governance weaknesses could undermine Nigeria’s climate commitments unless urgent reforms are made to strengthen climate institutions at the subnational level.
He called for a harmonized national framework to improve policy coordination, technical capacity, financing, and public awareness campaigns at the state and local levels.
Increasing climate knowledge among policymakers, local governments, and communities is essential to mobilize nationwide action on climate resilience, sustainable lifestyles, and green economic opportunities.
Alo stressed that climate education should become a central part of Nigeria’s climate strategy, especially at the grassroots, where communities face immediate threats from floods, droughts, desertification, coastal erosion, and other climate-induced disasters.
He also highlighted the public health implications of climate change, describing the situation as “a crisis within a crisis.”
Vulnerable groups such as older persons, people with disabilities, women, children, and the homeless are disproportionately affected because they often lack resources to prepare, respond, and recover from extreme weather events.
To secure Nigeria’s climate future, Alo advocated shifting from top-down, technocratic approaches toward Locally Led Adaptation (LLA), where communities actively define and implement climate solutions.
He emphasized that local communities possess valuable indigenous knowledge and practical experience that can complement scientific innovations.
Empowering communities to own climate initiatives improves sustainability, promotes social cohesion, strengthens peacebuilding in conflict areas, and ensures efficient resource use.
He recommended recognizing traditional knowledge systems like indigenous weather forecasting, rainwater harvesting, and climate-smart agriculture that have helped African communities adapt successfully.
Inclusive decision-making should involve women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups in planning and implementing climate programs.
Building capacity in local governments, civil society, and community institutions is also critical for resilience.
Despite global recognition of community-led adaptation, inadequate financing remains a major obstacle. Less than 10% of international climate finance currently reaches local communities directly.
Alo called for reforms to channel more resources to community-based institutions, including direct financing, better planning, technical support, and accountability.
He urged governments to promote climate-resilient livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, eco-tourism, and other green businesses that reduce vulnerability and create jobs.
Scaling up successful community initiatives like disaster risk reduction, ecosystem restoration, and early warning systems can save lives and property during climate emergencies.
He emphasized that stronger investment in subnational climate governance is essential. This includes dedicated climate budgets, increased education, collaboration across government levels, continuous impact monitoring, and policy reviews.
Policies developed with active community participation are more likely to succeed, ensuring ownership and sustainability.
“Empowering communities is not only a survival strategy but also a way to build a more equitable and sustainable world, safeguarding livelihoods and ecosystems for future generations,” Alo said.
Prof. Chinedum Babalola, NAS Public Affairs Secretary, added that the roundtable was a key platform for highlighting the impact of science on daily life. She emphasized that science must extend beyond journals to inform policy, business, and the public, with the media playing a vital role in translating evidence into action.
Babalola pointed out that the theme is timely, given current impacts such as flooding causing cholera outbreaks, heatwaves worsening cardiovascular disease, changing rainfall patterns affecting food and nutrition, and air pollution leading to respiratory illnesses.
Mr. Wale Fatade, Executive Director of the Media Support Centre, noted that media coverage acts as a critical bridge between complex scientific research and the public. He urged the media to simplify scientific terms to deepen understanding and impact.
