The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening environmental governance and improving the effectiveness of internationally funded environmental projects in Nigeria.
The commitment was made on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the National Capacity Building Workshop on Project Oversight for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Operational Focal Point and Implementing Partners.
Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the programme as timely and strategic, noting that Nigeria continues to face significant environmental challenges, including desertification, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, oil contamination in the Niger Delta, and the escalating impacts of climate change.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Mahmud Kambari, the Minister stressed that addressing these challenges requires not only access to global environmental financing but also strong institutional capacity for effective project planning, implementation, monitoring, and oversight.
He acknowledged the Global Environment Facility as a longstanding development partner, highlighting its contributions to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, sustainable land management, and community-based environmental initiatives. According to him, GEF-supported interventions have helped conserve indigenous plant species, promote sustainable forest management, and advance renewable energy and energy-efficiency initiatives aligned with Nigeria’s climate commitments.
Lawal further emphasized the role of GEF projects in tackling land degradation and enhancing food security through sustainable agriculture and landscape restoration. He cited flagship interventions that integrate nature-based solutions with livelihood resilience as evidence that environmental protection can be effectively linked with socio-economic development.
The Minister also commended initiatives such as GEF GOLD+, which promotes mercury-free artisanal gold mining, and integrated landscape management projects in the Niger Delta aimed at transforming cocoa and palm oil production systems.
In welcome remarks from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, the importance of strong project oversight in translating GEF funding into measurable and sustainable environmental outcomes was underscored. The remarks, read by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Agnes Aneke, noted that the workshop was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s engagement with the GEF and equip stakeholders to manage projects in line with international best practices.
Aneke noted that Nigeria has benefited from over three decades of partnership with the GEF across areas such as biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation control, international waters management, and chemicals and waste reduction. She, however, emphasized that funding alone is insufficient, stressing the need for effective coordination, technical competence, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems.
She explained that the two-day, Nigeria-focused training addresses pressing national environmental challenges, including desertification, plastic waste proliferation, oil pollution in the Niger Delta, biodiversity loss, and rising climate risks. Participants are expected to deepen their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the GEF Operational Focal Point, implementing agencies, and other stakeholders, while strengthening skills in reporting, communication, project visibility, and results-based management.
The workshop, organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility and with technical support from the Tropical Biology Association (TBA), builds on lessons from a recent regional training in Ghana. It is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall performance in the implementation of GEF-supported projects in Nigeria.
Participants drawn from government institutions, implementing agencies, civil society organizations, and convention focal points were urged to actively engage in the sessions, share experiences, and develop practical oversight strategies aligned with Nigeria’s national development and environmental priorities.
The workshop is expected to contribute to improved project performance, stronger partnerships, and more effective environmental interventions nationwide.
