Nigeria Deepens Climate Finance Reforms, Targets Resilient Growth, Says Uzoka-Anite

Nigeria Deepens Climate Finance Reforms, Targets Resilient Growth, Says Uzoka-Anite

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

As the world intensifies efforts to tackle the mounting effects of climate change, Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to embedding climate resilience at the heart of its economic and financial reforms.

Speaking at the 14th Meeting of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, held on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank Group/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. yesterday, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said Nigeria was advancing bold fiscal and financial strategies to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable development.

Dr. Uzoka-Anite, who welcomed Bhutan as the newest member of the Coalition and congratulated the incoming Co-Chair, commended Mr. Eclco Heinen of the Netherlands and Hon. Henry Musasizi of Uganda for their “exemplary leadership” in driving the coalition’s agenda and sustaining momentum towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

She disclosed that Nigeria was implementing a comprehensive resilience finance strategy that integrates fiscal reforms, green investment tools, and strategic partnerships.

According to her, “Our approach will help reduce debt vulnerabilities while channeling resources into projects that protect livelihoods and promote inclusive, climate-resilient growth.”

The Minister explained that the strategy includes innovative financing instruments such as green bonds and carbon markets, and the scaling of nature-based solutions that deliver both mitigation and adaptation benefits.

“We are deploying transparent and accountable mechanisms to fund critical infrastructure, irrigation, transport, and early warning systems that enhance national resilience,” she said.

Uzoka-Anite noted that Nigeria’s sovereign green bond programme had recorded significant progress with the successful issuance of a third green bond, and that the country was now exploring an international green bond issuance to expand its financing base for climate priorities.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, she said:
“We are integrating climate change into our core economic and financial policies. Our resilience finance strategy is designed to promote inclusive, climate-resilient growth and protect the livelihoods of our citizens.”

The Minister also called for fair and predictable access to climate finance, urging stronger global collaboration to accelerate resilience investments and enhanced support from development partners to blend concessional finance with private capital.

“As we navigate the complexities of climate change, Nigeria remains steadfast in the principles of the Coalition and the Baku to Belem Roadmap,” she said. “We are ready to move from dialogue to delivery, and from resilience to shared prosperity.”

With these measures, Nigeria aims to position itself as a continental leader in innovative climate finance and sustainable growth, ensuring that its citizens benefit from a greener and more resilient economy.