FG Eyes $4 Billion Mangrove Conservation Finance
The Federal Government of Nigeria is setting its sights on the $4 billion Mangrove Breakthrough Initiative finance, which was launched during the COP 27 Climate Change conference. This initiative focuses on mangrove conservation, afforestation, and protection, aiming to enhance the country’s environmental sustainability efforts.
Mrs. Chinwe Oluwatoyin Adindu, the Executive Secretary of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), made this announcement during a media interactive meeting in Abuja. She revealed that the NCCCS is currently developing a National Roadmap on Mangrove Conservation, Afforestation, and Protection to effectively access and utilize the available funding.
According to Adindu, the government is prioritizing opportunities for grants rather than loans. She emphasized that the roadmap will serve as a strategic document that financiers and investors can use to understand Nigeria’s policies, vision, and plans regarding mangrove conservation, along with a strategic investment timeline. “What we are looking at is how Nigeria can warehouse grants, and it’s important that Nigeria has a strategy document,” she stated.
The theme for 2025 has been set as “Simplified Climate-Based Nature Solutions,” which aligns with the mangrove initiative launched at COP 27. Adindu highlighted that nature-based climate solutions are crucial for addressing climate change in Nigeria and for ensuring that the country remains within the 1.5 degrees Celsius benchmark established by the Paris Agreement.
Mangroves play a vital role in enhancing livelihoods and coastal resilience, significantly improving the overall quality of life for communities. Recognizing their importance, the NCCCS plans to conduct technical visits to mangrove sites across the nine states in the Niger Delta. These visits will aid in the development of the roadmap for mangrove conservation and protection.
As part of its outreach efforts, the NCCCS is set to host a town hall meeting in Cross River, the first state to adopt the Climate Change Act and appoint a Commissioner for Green Economy. Scheduled for February 4, this meeting will involve international partners discussing the challenges and opportunities related to financing mangrove conservation in Nigeria.
Adindu noted, “The mangrove site visit and the town hall meeting are part of our preparatory efforts toward our event in March.” From March 4 to 6, the NCCCS will collaborate with the Nigeria Art Gallery to hold an exhibition on mangroves, spotlighting their significance in the context of climate change.
Additionally, the Executive Secretary announced plans to review the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), urging focal ministries to nominate members for the review committee to ensure a nationally accepted NDC. The media will also be included in this review process.
With the accelerated reduction in forest cover, Adindu emphasized the secretariat's commitment to focusing more on tree planting initiatives as part of its broader environmental strategy. The government’s proactive approach to mangrove conservation and climate action reflects its dedication to sustainable development and environmental resilience in Nigeria.
