The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a Climate Division within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to lead sustainable, gender-responsive, and age-inclusive climate actions.
Additionally, the ministry is set to launch a groundbreaking initiative, the Women in Green Economy Project, in 2025.
This programme aims to empower one million women through climate-smart agricultural practices and train 2,000 female climate champions at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the ongoing United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, shared the ministry’s vision.
“We have committed to establishing a Climate Division in the Ministry to coordinate and drive sustainable gender-responsive and age-sensitive climate actions. Furthermore, we will introduce a Women in Green Economy Programme in 2025.
The Women in Green Economy Project will engage women in planting 10 million economic trees and crops, including the Nopal Cactus Cladodes, a species renowned for combating desertification and enhancing soil health.
The program also targets several impactful outcomes: Empowering 1 million women in climate-smart agriculture, Transitioning one million households to clean cooking energy and Supporting 1,000 female-owned climate-friendly startups.
Others include Training 500,000 women in agro-processing and Equipping 2,000 community-based female climate champions to assist with data collection and community education.
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted Nigeria’s progress in tackling climate challenges, citing the enactment of the Climate Change Bill, the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change, and the launch of the Energy Transition Plan as key milestones.
She also underscored the vital role of women in addressing environmental issues, describing climate change as a “women’s issue.”
“If we are to win this fight and reverse the effects of climate change, we must provide women with platforms and tools to participate, contribute, and drive the solutions the world urgently needs to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Minister noted President Bola Tinubu’s strong commitment to combating climate change, including forming a committee to oversee the Green Economic Initiative, a strategic plan designed to address Nigeria’s climate challenges.
The Minister said, “We remain steadfastly committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will ensure full alignment with existing policy frameworks.”