As the United Nations Climate Conference kicks off in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nigeria has underscored the need for increased global funding to support climate adaptation in vulnerable nations.
The country also emphasized full adherence to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement to combat rising climate challenges.
Nkiruka Madueke, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change, voiced Nigeria’s stance, stating, “There is a need to put adaptation at the forefront. We cannot remain where we are to make those pledges. We need to put our money where our mouth is.”
Speaking to BusinessDay on the sidelines of the conference, Madueke highlighted the urgency for collective action to increase financing for climate resilience measures.
“We are hoping to leave this COP with a clear line on article 6 and more finance for adaptation,” Madueke said, referring to the provision for establishing an international carbon market and other cooperative approaches.
As Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria faces escalating climate threats, making this year’s COP event critical.
Despite the progress made at COP28—particularly with the introduction of the Loss and Damage Fund—the longstanding $100 billion annual climate finance commitment to support vulnerable nations remains unmet.
This gap is especially concerning for Nigeria, which regularly suffers from severe flooding, droughts, and rising sea levels, inflicting lasting economic and social losses.
“Adaptation is crucial and we are dealing with communities that are already highly sensitive and exposed to little things that will make them highly vulnerable to climate change.
“For instance, communities dealing with droughts, environment degradation, lack access to water, sanitation and you pour in climate impacts. What you have is an explosion,” she explained.
Madueke referenced recent severe flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, as an example of the urgent need for resilience strategies.
“You need to build resilience of these people and what do you have to build resilience, it is adaptation. Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly and ensure that the impacts do not take them back to zero,” she added.
Nigeria is also looking to the newly proposed New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, which aims to exceed the previous $100 billion target.
However, there is concern that the funds will not arrive quickly or in adequate amounts to address the nation’s adaptation requirements.
“We want to leave this COP with more financial commitments. Africa is asking for more funding and advocating for the NCQG and we stand with them on that,” Madueke affirmed.
At the opening plenary, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, reinforced the urgency of a robust global finance goal, stating that climate finance should not be viewed as charity.
“If nations can’t build resilience into supply chains, the entire global economy will be brought to its knees. No country is immune.
“So, let’s dispense with any idea that climate finance is charity. An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every nation, including the largest and wealthiest,” Stiell said.
As COP29 continues, Nigeria remains hopeful for tangible commitments that will address the nation’s pressing climate adaptation needs and bolster resilience across Africa.
