The Federal Government on Tuesday declared that Nigeria’s transition to a green economy is no longer optional but a national imperative, unveiling plans to leverage climate action, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental governance to drive economic growth, create jobs and strengthen resilience against climate change.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Environmental Summit (NESt) 2026 in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the country possesses enormous opportunities within the green economy value chain capable of stimulating economic diversification, attracting investments and creating millions of decent jobs, particularly for youths.
Lawal noted that the summit’s theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Green Economy: Driving Climate Action and Environmental Governance,” comes at a critical time when nations across the world are seeking to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
According to him, Nigeria continues to grapple with severe environmental challenges, including devastating floods, prolonged droughts, desertification, coastal erosion, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution, all of which threaten public health, livelihoods and economic productivity.
Despite the challenges, the minister said the country can transform environmental risks into opportunities through investments in renewable energy, waste-to-wealth initiatives, ecosystem restoration, climate-smart infrastructure, carbon markets, circular-economy solutions, and green entrepreneurship.
He stressed that environmental sustainability must be viewed as a national development agenda rather than merely an ecological concern, arguing that investments in environmental protection directly impact food security, health, energy security, water resources and national prosperity.
Lawal said the Federal Ministry of Environment, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, has intensified policy reforms, regulatory enforcement, and stakeholder engagement to promote sustainable development while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
The minister further called for aggressive mobilisation of green finance through climate funds, public-private partnerships, sustainability bonds, blended finance mechanisms and carbon markets, describing the private sector as a critical partner in Nigeria’s green transformation.
Earlier, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Environmental Summit Group (NESUG), Mrs Rita Michael Ojo, said no single institution or sector could address environmental challenges alone, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government, businesses, development partners, communities and civil society groups.
Ojo explained that the summit was designed to move stakeholders “from dialogue to delivery” by generating practical solutions for climate action, environmental governance, sustainable financing, climate-resilient health systems and a just energy transition.
Also speaking, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged policymakers to place health considerations at the centre of climate and environmental decision-making, warning that climate-related factors continue to contribute significantly to disease burdens across countries.
WHO’s Cluster Lead for Disease Prevention and Control in Nigeria, Dr Mya Ngon, cited assessments indicating that environmental and climate-related factors account for a substantial share of health challenges, underscoring the need for innovative financing, strategic partnerships and climate-resilient health systems.
She commended Nigeria’s leadership for integrating health concerns into national climate policies. She called for a whole-of-society approach to unlock the full potential of the green economy, insisting that environmental sustainability, public health and economic development are inseparably linked.
