The Federal Government has pledged to transform Abuja into a climate-smart, sustainable city, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal said this on Tuesday at the 2025 Abuja city environmental sustainability summit themed, “Sustainable urban transformation: Building a resilient and green Abuja.”

Lawal emphasised Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to environmental and climate action through targeted policies and innovative urban planning.

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, said, “Nigeria remains committed to its environmental and climate action goals initiated in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President and through targeted policies and programmes. We will continue to prioritise nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration and adaptive capacity at all levels.

“To this end, we must be intentional to embark on a transformative development pathway that will transition us to a low-carbon economy, protect and restore biosafety, combat pollution, promote innovation, sustainable consumption, as well as green jobs.

“I commend the organisers of this initiative for their dedication to driving climate change and empowering communities. With practical solutions. I also urge all stakeholders to seize this opportunity to strengthen partnership, share best practices and advance policies that will ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for Nigeria.”

Speaking earlier, the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Yussuf Kelani, stated that the summit will showcase the urban redevelopment efforts currently being spearheaded by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, saying the efforts play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, promoting environmental sustainability and improving the quality of life in Abuja.

He said, “Climate change has emerged as a paramount environmental concern, standing as the most pressing issue globally, and Nigeria is no exception to its ramifications. Regrettably, a significant portion of the population remains uninformed about the imminent perils we face and the underlying causes of major community calamities we’ve endured.

“The imperative to incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into the development agenda is growing more urgent. Nonetheless, a lack of awareness or comprehension regarding pivotal issues surrounding vulnerability and adaptation can impede the much-needed response.

“The impacts of climate change manifest divergently across various regions of Nigeria. The Northern part contends with the adversities of drought and desert encroachment, while the Southern regions grapple with inundation due to their low-lying terrain and dense tropical vegetation. The central belt confronts gully erosion, compounded by being a focal point for communal conflicts spurred by the repercussions of climate change.”

He further said the summit is focused on advancing sustainable urban development practices in Abuja, with the goal of accelerating the implementation of eco-conscious urbanization strategies.

“With urbanisation increasingly affecting our environment, it is crucial to adopt sustainable practices to ensure a resilient and eco-friendly future. The summit will act as a catalyst for change and will directly contribute to the ongoing efforts of the federal government in addressing climate change and building sustainable cities. Through this summit, we aim to address these critical issues and propel Abuja to the forefront of sustainable urban development.

“This summit will showcase the urban redevelopment efforts currently being spearheaded by the Ministry of the FCT. Special focus will be placed on key initiatives such as tree planting and urban greening, which significantly contribute to carbon capture and the improvement of urban air quality. These efforts play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, promoting environmental sustainability, and improving the quality of life in Abuja.

“The summit will provide targeted capacity-building Workshops for local government officials from the six area councils of Abuja. Training will focus on facility management, sustainable urban practices, and waste management. These workshops will equip officials with the skills and knowledge needed to better manage urban spaces and contribute to promoting sustainable practices at the grassroots level, further enhancing the eco-friendliness of Abuja.”

He added that a key component of the summit will be the Waste to Wealth initiative aimed to train young people in sustainable waste management practices, empowering them to view waste as a resource that can be converted into valuable products.

On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who was represented by his Technical Special Adviser, Prof Babatunde Bernard, said Abuja is for all Nigerians, hence there is a need to take care of it in a more sustainable way.

“It’s a conscious effort by all of us, the government and the people themselves. The awareness is being created, we have a national waste management, we have climate change, and then we have quite a lot of government efforts towards these climate change issues to have a sustainable city.

“Abuja is for all of us. It’s the capital city of Nigeria, so it’s a place for all of us, and we must jointly come together to be able to take care of it in a more sustainable way”, he said.