Amina Mohammed, the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, has challenged Nigeria to turn the challenges of climate change into opportunities for progress.
Mohammed, who was represented by UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mohamed Fall, spoke at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit with the theme “Turning Climate Change Challenges into Development Opportunities for Katsina State.” He said the summit was a strong example of leadership and vision, adding that “this gathering matters, because climate action is not just about managing risk.” It has to do with opening up opportunities.
“For Katsina, Nigeria, and all of us, it is a moment to transform adversity into progress, to move from climate vulnerability to climate leadership,” she stated. She added that “Katsina and the wider Northwest hold enormous potential: abundant solar and wind resources, innovative farmers, dynamic youth, and resilient communities. These are the building blocks of a green economy if we choose to invest in them wisely“. A green economy means clean, affordable energy for homes and schools. It means jobs in solar technology, smart agriculture, and sustainable enterprises. It means economic growth that uplifts women, youth, with disabilities, and the elderly. It means clean air, healthy families, and stronger, more resilient communities.
“The UN family in Nigeria stands firmly with you. We are working closely with the government through the National Climate Change Council (NCCC) to ensure that Nigeria completes an ambitious NDC 3.0 before September this year, as we look forward to COP 30 in Brazil. We can take it further by developing plans at sub-national level to address climate change, starting with this initiative by Katsina State.
“We must act now. Global investment in clean energy is at record levels. Countries with clear climate strategies are attracting capital, technology, and innovation. Katsina State can lead the way in Nigeria.
“With bold action, Nigeria can lead Africa into a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future, protecting mangroves in the South, strengthening agriculture in the North, and creating jobs for the next generation in every community.”
She warned that: “As traditional donor funding declines and priorities shift, we must think outside the box. Innovative models, especially around the green economy must guide our path forward.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stated that “we must make peace with nature,” she clarified. The key to a better, safer, and more prosperous future for everybody is taking action on climate change. advocating for leaving no one behind and urging investment in Katsina’s green future.
The governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Radda, stated that the State, which is located in the arid northwest of Nigeria, is a microcosm of the global climate crisis. He said, “More than 80% of our people rely on rain-fed agriculture and are struggling with desert encroachment that eats up farmlands, unpredictable rainfall that throws off planting seasons, and temperatures that keep rising. These are lived realities for millions of our citizens.
“The consequences of this climate crisis resulted in diminished harvests, vanishing biodiversity, conflicts over scarce resources, and a generation of youth compelled to migrate in search of survival. Yet, within these challenges lies immense opportunity.Oftentimes, I travel through our rural communities, I see firsthand how climate change has altered the farming activities of our people. Where once there were thriving farms and succulent agricultural produce, now there are encroaching sands. Where once there were reliable rains, now there is uncertainty.”
However, he continued, “I also see the commendable resilience of our people—young people embracing innovation, women creating adaptive businesses, and farmers adopting new techniques.” Our administration’s Building Your Future Policy document on climate action already reflects this resilience.
Additionally, he stated, “We have built 120 solar-powered boreholes throughout the state, valued at ₦2.4 billion, and another 60 are in the process of being built address water scarcity and encourage irrigation.” More food on our tables, more water for farmers, and more money for families are all a result of this.” “In a bid to support sustainable agriculture, we procured 38 tractors and 320 handheld tillers at a combined cost of nearly N3 billion, bringing mechanized farming to every doorstep from Faskari to Jibiya. Moreover, we are restoring 1,115 hectares of degraded land with agroforestry and organic farming inputs, an investment of ₦672 million that will benefit generations. We’ve already planted over 100,000 economic trees and are nurturing 3 million more, spread across schools, institutions, and shelterbelts.” We also invested ₦5.9 billion in stormwater harvesting structures, turning seasonal floods into a year-round blessing for irrigation. To ensure our people can cook cleanly and breathe freely, we procured 4,000 energy-efficient stoves, investing ₦197 million in a cleaner energy future”.
“In the energy sector, we’ve secured a transformative $500 million partnership with Genesis Energy Group to power our state sustainably. We are nearing completion of a 1mw Solar Mini-Grid with a 1MWh Battery Energy Storage System at the Government House, Katsina and a 250KWh Battery Energy Storage System at the State General Hospital—projects that demonstrate our commitment to leading by example.”
The governor said: “Finally, let me proudly say Katsina is training its people for the future. More than 5,000 women and young people have received training in smart farming techniques, regenerative agriculture, and waste-to-wealth innovation. They are more than trainees. They are tomorrow’s green heroes. “What we have done is not cosmetic. It is transformational. What we are building is not just infrastructure. It is resilience. And what we are showing the world is not just results, it is leadership.”
He said: “The $500 million we’ve secured from Genesis Energy Group for renewable energy demonstrates our capacity to manage transformative investments effectively,” stating that: “More importantly, through Climate Action Cooperatives, our administration will annually train 15,000 of our women and youth in green skills. From solar engineering to sustainable forestry, we will ensure no one is left behind. The green economy could create over 50,000 jobs in Katsina by 2030, and we are determined that our young people will be prepared to fill them.”
The meeting today takes place at a pivotal point in our country’s development trajectory, when the demands of climate change, environmental resilience, and green economic transformation are at the top of our collective agenda, according to Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal. The climate crisis is a real threat today. The effects of climate change are already being felt in our country, as evidenced by droughts, flooding, extreme heat, desert encroachment, declining agricultural productivity, and ensuing insecurity.
He stated that “The Sahel region, where Katsina State is located, is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.” However, this region is also rich in opportunities for transforming adversity into an advantage through strategic climate action and green investments. In this spirit, I commend Katsina State for taking the bold step of launching the Katsina State Action Plan and convening stakeholders to mobilize capital and chart a subnational climate pathway that aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), our net-zero commitment by 2060, and the broader objectives of the Climate Change Act of 2021.”
