The Federal Government has launched Nigeria’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), alongside the Net Zero Investment Plan and the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy, as part of efforts to tackle climate change and promote sustainable economic growth.
The government also inaugurated an Interministerial Steering Committee to coordinate the implementation of the climate policies and strengthen collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies.
Speaking at the launch, the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mrs Omotenioye Majekodunmi, said NDC 3.0 was developed through an inclusive, multi-stakeholder process with support from the NDC Partnership’s Global Call and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
She said the launch was designed to formally introduce the climate commitments, inaugurate the committee responsible for high-level coordination and oversight, and begin aligning priority actions with the financing, technology, expertise and investments needed for implementation.
Majekodunmi said Nigeria would approach the upcoming COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, with a focus on translating its commitments into practical investments, stronger partnerships and measurable results.
According to her, Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 sets an economy-wide target of reducing emissions by 32 per cent by 2035, relative to the 2018 baseline, as the country works towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
She added that climate adaptation remained equally important, particularly in agriculture and food systems, water resources, healthcare, coastal and urban communities, and disaster-risk management.
The NCCC director-general stressed that implementing NDC 3.0 required a coordinated, whole-of-government and whole-of-economy approach, noting that no single ministry or institution could achieve the objectives independently.
She said the Interministerial Steering Committee would provide strategic leadership, integrate climate priorities into national planning and budgeting, coordinate climate finance, address implementation challenges and strengthen monitoring, reporting and accountability.
Majekodunmi added that the NCCC would provide technical secretariat support, including coordination, analysis, implementation tracking and engagement with development partners.
She noted that Nigeria’s climate transition should be measured not only by emissions reductions but also by improved resilience, increased investment, job creation, business development and better living conditions.
Livestock Ministry Commits to Climate-Smart Production
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the ministry was integrating livestock reforms into Nigeria’s climate action plans.
He said the ministry was committed to strengthening climate-smart livestock production, improving resilience across livestock value chains and reducing greenhouse gas emissions as the country advances the implementation of NDC 3.0.
UNDP Calls for Coordinated Investment
Earlier, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie G. Attafuah, said NDC 3.0 presented an opportunity for Nigeria to shape investments that would support long-term prosperity.
She explained that the commitments could guide public spending, infrastructure development and private-sector decisions while helping the country expand energy access, protect livelihoods and build a more competitive economy.
Attafuah urged the government and its development partners to identify priority actions, assign responsibilities to relevant institutions and determine the support required to achieve measurable results.
She also called on development partners to align their assistance with Nigeria’s priorities and reduce fragmentation, while encouraging businesses and financial institutions to develop programmes capable of attracting sustainable investment.
She reaffirmed UNDP’s readiness to support Nigeria through climate governance, state-level implementation, innovation and development finance.
SGF Tasks Ministries on Implementation
In his keynote address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described the launch of NDC 3.0, the Net Zero Investment Plan and the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy, alongside the inauguration of the steering committee, as an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to address climate change and protect its ecosystems.
Akume, who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Professor Babatunde Bolaji, said the launch must mark the beginning of a disciplined implementation process.
He called for clearly defined responsibilities, realistic timelines, measurable indicators and effective reporting mechanisms to ensure that progress was regularly assessed and challenges addressed promptly.
The SGF said the NCCC would continue to play a central coordinating role within its statutory mandate, working with relevant ministries, agencies, state governments and development partners.
He further urged implementing institutions to incorporate their assigned climate responsibilities into their programmes, planning processes and budgets, stressing that transparency and accountability were essential to maintaining public trust.
Akume said Nigeria’s climate and development objectives were closely linked, noting that the country’s ability to build a prosperous, resilient and competitive economy would depend partly on how effectively it managed climate risks, mobilised investment and strengthened institutions.
He added that while the launch of the three strategic instruments represented an important step, their success would depend on translating the commitments into coordinated action, credible investments and tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
