The Ministry of Environment has formally called for an increase in allocation for the ministry in the 2025 budget, pointing to the pressing need to address growing environmental issues and hasten the country’s transition to sustainable development. It further expressed discontent with the fund allocated to the ministry, describing it as abysmally low. The appeal was made by Permanent Secretary Mr. Mahmud Kambari when he appeared before the House of Assembly’ Environment Committee on behalf of the Ministry for the 2025 Budget defense.
Along with its agencies, the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), the National Park Service, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the ministry assessed its 2024 performance and presented its 2025 estimates. While highlighting the ministry’s accomplishments, Mahmud Kambari emphasized that insufficient Finance was still a major obstacle. According to National Park Service Conservator-General Mr. Ibrahim Goni, the 2024 expenditures total ₦633.46 million disbursed and used thus far, with ₦4.33 billion going toward human costs, ₦1.03 billion toward overheads, and ₦1.95 billion toward capital projects.
EHCON advocates for reinstatement into allocation.
He called for a ₦5.01 billion intervention in 2025 to tackle illegal mining, insecurity, and financing deficits. In addition, the ministry has set lofty goals for the year, projecting ₦180 million in internally generated Revenue for 2025. Similar calls for increased financing were made by Mr. Zacharia Yaduma, Director-General of the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), who cited delayed cash disbursements and budgetary constraints. Dr. Mohammed Baba, the Registrar and CEO of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, expressed discontentment of the council’s exclusion from allocation as of January 1, 2025, and urged its reinstatement.
It’s worth noting that the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria and 13 other professional organizations were cut out of budgetary allocations as of January 1, 2024. While the 13 organizations have since been reinstated, EHCON is still excluded. He said As a committee, we are disposed to increase budgetary allocations for this critical sector, in as much as we see key projects that are envisioned that will strengthen climate resilience, combat pollution, enhance community awareness, and ensure accountability in the 2025 Budget Proposal of the Ministry and its agencies.
Ministry highlights urgent funding needs for environmental goals.
Mr. Julius Pondi, the chairman of the committee, assured EHCON that the committee will closely collaborate with the environment minister to resolve its financing issues. Officials of the ministry stressed that existing budget levels are not enough to satisfy the increasing demands of Environmental Protection initiatives, especially given the escalating effects of climate change. They emphasized that the ministry’s growing duties—such as addressing climate change, halting deforestation, and supporting green energy projects—are vital sectors that need more funding.
Furthermore, the ministry has emphasized that its growing duties—such as addressing climate change, curbing deforestation, and supporting green energy projects—are vital sectors that need more funding. Ministry officials stressed that existing budget levels are not enough to meet the increasing demands of environmental protection initiatives, especially given the escalating effects of climate change. These highlighted concerns are initiatives that align with the nation’s commitments under international agreements such as the Paris Accord and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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As the government gets ready to approve its 2025 budget, the Environment Ministry’s request serves as a reminder of the pressing need to give Sustainability top priority. However, securing increased funding may prove challenging amid competing priorities for public resources. Economic pressures and demands from other sectors, such as Infrastructure and healthcare, often overshadow environmental concerns in budgetary deliberations. Nevertheless, the ministry remains optimistic, pointing to the growing recognition of environmental issues by policymakers and the public.