Presidency Unveils N’West Climate Fund, Targets N20bn

The Presidency has unveiled the North-West Climate Fund, an initiative targeting the mobilisation of ₦20 billion over the next four years to address climate change and environmental challenges across the region.

The fund was announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during the North-West Climate Summit held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, disclosed the funding target while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the summit.

He said the initiative would support interventions addressing flooding, drought, desertification, migration and the transition to renewable energy across the seven states in the North-West geopolitical zone.

According to Yakasai, the fund is designed to mobilise resources for climate-related projects and help the region access available domestic and international climate financing.

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy built around three major components: the North-West Climate Fund, a Climate Academy and a Climate Investment Marketplace.

The Climate Investment Marketplace is expected to provide a platform for state and local governments to showcase climate-related projects to development partners, financial institutions and potential investors.

Through the platform, governments will be able to present investment opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, water security and environmental restoration.

The Climate Academy, meanwhile, aims to train 10,000 young people across the region in climate-related fields, equipping them with skills to participate in environmental protection and emerging green industries.

Yakasai said the three components were intended to strengthen the region’s capacity to attract investment and develop practical responses to environmental challenges.

The summit was organised in collaboration with regional stakeholders, including the North-West Governors’ Forum and the North-West Development Commission.

Participants highlighted the growing effects of climate change on agriculture, food security, water resources, infrastructure and community livelihoods.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Kama Nkemkanma, who represented Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, stressed the importance of transparent financial management and accountable project selection in implementing the fund.

He noted that investing in prevention and preparedness could reduce the costs associated with rebuilding communities after environmental disasters.

The initiative also seeks to connect regional climate priorities with international financing opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in global climate discussions.

However, the ₦20 billion figure remains a mobilisation target over four years. The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on the funds secured, the projects implemented and the measurable benefits delivered to communities across the region.

The North-West comprises Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara states.