The presidency has emphasized the pressing need to expedite climate action plans by leveraging national financing strategies and Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs). Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), reiterated this urgency while highlighting the significance of advancing climate action plans through these frameworks.
During a Climate Finance side event held at COP28 in Dubai, co-hosted by her office in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Orelope-Adefulire underscored Nigeria’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development on the global platform.
She stressed the event’s role in fostering discussions on vital financing strategies crucial for climate action, especially as the world approaches the midway point of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
Highlighting Nigeria’s dedication to the global climate agenda, Orelope-Adefulire pointed out the passage of the Climate Change Act 2021 and the establishment of a National Council on Climate Change. She reiterated Nigeria’s pledges made at COP26, including the ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
Emphasizing an integrated approach to SDGs implementation in Nigeria since 2016, aligning national development plans with the SDGs, she emphasized the significance of the Integrated National Financing Framework as a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda for financing development.
Looking ahead, Orelope-Adefulire highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to prioritizing essential reforms and projects outlined in the INFF Roadmap. Nigeria aims to raise public and private funding while maintaining fiscal caution in the public sector to promote SDG achievement amid global fiscal challenges.
She stressed the importance of partnerships with the United Nations Development system, private sector, and non-state actors to holistically implement the INFF Roadmap in Nigeria.
During the panel session, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, and chair of the National Steering Committee on Nigeria’s INFF, highlighted how Nigeria intends to accelerate its Climate Action Plan through the INFF. He stressed the necessity for international cooperation, collaboration, and mobilization of financial resources to escalate climate action and ambition in tackling global challenges.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, commended Nigeria’s INFF initiative, noting its potential in understanding the internal financing landscape for economic development, social enhancement, and climate change mitigation. She emphasized the role of INFF in financing national climate goals and integrating climate actions and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
“Let’s not forget, climate change has an unwavering attack and impact on development gains. We are losing a lot of ground because of climate change. Many investments that have been made over decades are being lost. So, what we are looking at today is a serious threat to our very essence. Let’s fight back by using the INFF as a tool to accelerate and build a resilient economy and resilient communities.”
These positions were also echoed by the Deputy Minister of Maritime and Natural Resources/Head of National SDGs Secretariat, Ministry of National Development Planning, Vivi Yulaswati, Director Global Committee on social business for SDGs China, Alex Wang, and Ahmad Salihijo of the Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria, who were the other members of the panel.
