- UN, Katsina, and Federal officials push for transformational climate action
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has called on Nigeria to seize the opportunities within climate challenges and transform them into engines of sustainable development. Her message was delivered by the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit held this week in the state capital.
Themed “Turning Climate Change Challenges into Development Opportunities for Katsina State,” the summit convened national and international stakeholders to outline practical steps toward building climate resilience and unlocking green economic potential.
“This gathering matters, because climate action is not just about managing risk. It’s about unlocking opportunity,” said Fall on behalf of Mohammed. “From energy scarcity to green prosperity, from exclusion to inclusion—this is a moment to shift from climate vulnerability to leadership.”
Mohammed highlighted Katsina’s abundant solar and wind resources, innovative farmers, and resilient youth as foundations for a green economy. She stressed the need for clean energy access, green job creation, and inclusive development.
She also affirmed the UN’s support for Nigeria’s climate agenda, including the development of its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), ahead of COP30 in Brazil. “With bold action, Nigeria can lead Africa into a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future,” she said.
Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Radda, described his state as a ground zero for climate impacts, where over 80% of the population depends on rain-fed agriculture and faces worsening desertification, erratic rainfall, and heatwaves.
“The consequences are real—diminished harvests, biodiversity loss, and youth migration,” he said. “But within these challenges lies immense opportunity.”
Outlining his administration’s investments, Governor Radda listed transformative projects, including:
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120 solar-powered boreholes (₦2.4 billion) to combat water scarcity,
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38 tractors and 320 handheld tillers (₦3 billion) for mechanized farming,
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Restoration of 1,115 hectares of degraded land (₦672 million),
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Over 100,000 trees planted with 3 million more underway,
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₦5.9 billion in stormwater harvesting infrastructure,
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4,000 energy-efficient stoves for cleaner household energy.
A landmark $500 million renewable energy partnership with Genesis Energy Group is also powering the state, with solar mini-grids installed at government facilities.
Governor Radda announced that 5,000 youths and women have already been trained in green skills, and that 15,000 more will be trained annually through Climate Action Cooperatives. “The green economy could create over 50,000 jobs in Katsina by 2030,” he said.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, praised Katsina’s initiative as a model for subnational climate action aligned with Nigeria’s national targets and the Climate Change Act of 2021. “The Sahel is vulnerable, but also rich with opportunities. We commend Katsina for turning adversity into action,” he stated.
The summit sent a clear signal: with strategic investment, innovation, and inclusive policy, climate challenges can be turned into a development breakthrough for Nigeria and beyond.
