UN Climate Chief: Bold Climate Action Can Ignite a New Era of Prosperity for Nigeria
By Ogbetta Ruth O.
March 6, 2025
Nigeria stands on the brink of a transformative era, with climate action poised to unlock unprecedented growth and prosperity, according to Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Speaking at the inaugural session of the Intersecting Worlds of Climate Change, Mangrove, and Art Symposium in Lagos on March 6, 2025, Stiell called on Nigeria to harness its natural and human resources to lead Africa’s green revolution.
Addressing a distinguished audience, Stiell praised Nigeria’s vibrant energy and ambitious national targets, including lifting 100 million citizens out of poverty and achieving a 7% economic growth rate. He emphasized that these goals are within reach if Nigeria embraces strong climate policies and leverages its abundant solar, wind, and mineral resources.
“Climate action is not just about avoiding the worst impacts of global warming,” Stiell said. “It’s a gateway to a new era of growth, powered by clean, affordable energy for all Nigerians.”
Stiell highlighted the country’s dynamic population and entrepreneurial spirit as key drivers for a green economy. He noted that investing in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and green infrastructure could supercharge Nigeria’s economy, create jobs, and boost competitiveness on the global stage.
He also underscored the importance of international support, urging that Nigeria and other developing nations must have greater access to climate finance. “It would be unfair to expect Nigeria to act alone,” he stated, pointing to ongoing efforts with Brazil, the COP30 President, to unlock more funding for climate initiatives.
With 90% of Nigerians working in micro, small, and medium enterprises, Stiell argued that the benefits of green growth would ripple through every community. He also stressed the need for a robust National Adaptation Plan to address the mounting risks of climate change, from southern floods to northern droughts, which are already costing the nation up to 5% of its GDP.
Stiell celebrated Nigeria’s unique environmental assets, particularly its vast mangrove forests—the largest in Africa and third largest globally. These mangroves, he said, are vital for carbon storage, coastal protection, and community resilience. Expanding and preserving these ecosystems, especially in the Niger Delta, will be crucial for Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth.
He concluded by calling for inclusive climate planning, urging all Nigerians to participate in shaping and implementing the country’s climate strategies. “UN Climate Change will stand with Nigeria every step of the way,” Stiell affirmed, “to ensure that bold climate action delivers real benefits for all.”
As Nigeria looks to the future, the message from the UN Climate Chief is clear: embracing climate action is not just an environmental imperative—it’s the key to unlocking a new era of national prosperity.
