Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, and Enugu among top five as Environment Minister hails growing state-level climate action
By Bunmi Yekini
Lagos State has once again emerged as Nigeria’s top-performing state in climate governance, taking the number one spot in the 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking for the second consecutive year.
The result was announced on Tuesday in Abuja during the public presentation of the second edition of the report,van initiative of the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP).
According to the report, Lagos scored 315 points to take first place, followed by Katsina State with 310 points and Kaduna State with 305 points.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, commended the participating states for their growing commitment to addressing climate challenges.
“This ranking is not about competition but commitment. It highlights the increasing recognition among state governments that climate action begins at the grassroots,” Lawal said.
The Subnational Climate Governance project assesses states based on five thematic areas: institutional arrangements, policy frameworks, budgetary allocation, implementation and monitoring, and online visibility on climate issues.
President of SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, said the thematic areas represent “key pillars of climate action” and are intended to motivate states to strengthen their climate governance systems.
“The ranking provides an evidence-based reflection of each state’s commitment and offers guidance on areas requiring greater attention,” Okereke explained.
Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mrs. Tenioye Majekodunmi, described the ranking as a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to decentralize climate governance.
“This second ranking stands as a testament to the growing political will demonstrated by state governments. The NCCC is committed to translating national ambition into local realities,” she said.
Also speaking, Ms. Samantha Harrison, First Secretary for Climate Diplomacy at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), underscored the importance of state actors in driving Nigeria’s climate goals.
“Without subnational actors, our policies remain spreadsheets on paper. Effective climate action at the subnational level is not just beneficial, it is essential,” Harrison noted.
For Dr. Dahiru Hashim, Kano State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, the ranking has fostered healthy competition and collaboration among states.
“It provides an opportunity to showcase progress, promote knowledge exchange, and reinforce the urgency of addressing climate challenges where the impacts are most immediate,” he said.
Reacting to the recognition, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, said the achievement reaffirms Lagos’s leadership in sustainable and inclusive climate policies.
“This ranking strengthens our resolve to build resilience, drive green growth, and embed climate action in every part of our economy,” Wahab stated.
From the donor community, Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank (AfDB), described the ranking initiative as “an innovative model for climate accountability.”
“It provides a valuable tool for evidence-based policymaking and investment alignment to accelerate Africa’s just climate transition,” he said.
Launched in 2024, the Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking has become a key tool for promoting accountability, knowledge sharing, and benchmarking among Nigeria’s 36 states. This year’s edition also saw Kano and Enugu make major strides, breaking into the top five performing states.