Nigeria currently stands at a decisive moment in its climate journey as the year 2025 unfolds. The nation must, in particular, improve and bounce back from its underwhelming performance on the climate targets in 2024. Last year was characterized by missed goals, inadequate adaptation strategies, and sluggish progress toward a green economy. According to data from the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), Nigeria dropped nine spots to 26th in this year’s CCPI from 17th last year, highlighting the urgent need for robust policies and strategies to meet its environmental commitments.
While the country continues to score highly on energy use and Greenhouse gas emissions, its performance on climate policy and Renewable Energy still remains inadequate. This conflicting outcome highlights the significance of coordinated efforts in 2025 to ensure sustainable growth and successfully address climate change. CCPI experts have recognized Nigeria’s impressive efforts to reduce GHG emissions, however, the federal government’s intentions to increase domestic gas use and exports have come under fire, as methane Emissions increase.
Experts recommend a thorough methane emissions framework.
Methane, being a powerful greenhouse gas poses high risk to Nigeria’s climate goals. The experts have emphasized the necessity of a thorough methane emissions framework that includes mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and verification to close technological and legal deficiencies in the oil and gas sector. They noted that encouraging methane reductions will reduce emissions and demonstrate Nigeria’s dedication to Sustainable Energy practices. The CCPI experts further added that the US$1.9 trillion financial gap must be filled in order to move toward a dependable energy supply based on renewable energy, and policies should support the development of skills and infrastructure.
To boost the growth of renewable energy in the nation, the experts urge the proactive implementation of energy transition plans and legislation. Potential socioeconomic benefits could result from this shift, which would also assist diversify power sources for greater energy security. Nigeria needs to make a change this year and take decisive corrective action in order to ensure a sustainable future. For a nation already at risk from desertification, extreme flooding, and increasing temperatures the implications are far too great to let such underperformance continue.
More international aid is required to offset 2024 setbacks.
With communities being driven away by floods, crops being severely damaged by droughts, and critical Infrastructure being threatened by coastal erosion, the catastrophic repercussions of climate change are now impossible to ignore. At the same time, the country’s expanding population and economic aspirations necessitate Sustainable Solutions that strike a balance between development and environmental preservation. This year, the country must adopt a new strategy for addressing climate change that is characterized by inclusivity, urgency, and innovation. Nevertheless, accomplishing this will necessitate bold measures, innovative policies, and a strong dedication to sustainability.
Moreover, Nigeria must also secure more international aid in order to offset the setbacks of 2024. The necessity of financing Climate Action in developing nations is becoming more widely acknowledged by the international community. Nigeria can draw in climate funding, technological sharing, and capacity-building initiatives by putting out clear, ambitious, and practical objectives. To ensure that funding reaches the most underserved populations, the government must use platforms like COP29 to advocate for more equitable Finance arrangements.
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In the year ahead, Nigeria, tagged as one of the world’s largest producers of coal, oil, and gas, has a chance to set the standard for Africa’s climate change response and lay the groundwork for long-term Sustainability and resilience. Bold and creative initiatives can help turn the tide, ensuring that the nation not only reclaims its prior ranking in the CCPI rankings but also establishes a new benchmark for climate action in the continent. Nigeria may reaffirm its commitment to fighting climate change and become a leader in the green transition in Africa and beyond by resolutely and strategically addressing the setbacks of the previous year.