Nigeria has intensified its call for increased international support to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and environmental challenges, expressing optimism that it will secure greater funding under the upcoming Global Environment Facility (GEF)-9 funding cycle.
The appeal was made during the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where member countries reviewed progress under the GEF-8 cycle and mapped out priorities for the next phase of global environmental financing.
The Assembly marked the formal conclusion of the GEF-8 funding cycle, during which the GEF Council approved a final package worth $232.5 million for 24 environmental projects across 22 countries. The funding included allocations from the GEF Trust Fund, the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, and climate adaptation financing mechanisms aimed at helping vulnerable nations address environmental threats.
Nigeria Seeks Expanded Support
Representing Nigeria at the gathering, Balarabe Abbas Lawal highlighted the country’s longstanding partnership with the GEF and acknowledged the critical role the organisation has played in supporting environmental initiatives over the past decade.
According to the minister, GEF-funded programmes have contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management, and environmental governance in Nigeria since 2009.
Under the GEF-8 cycle alone, Nigeria received approximately $21 million to support projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and advancing the country’s net-zero emissions and biodiversity conservation targets.
Lawal noted that the environmental challenges confronting Nigeria continue to grow in scale and complexity, making increased international financing essential for the country to achieve its climate and sustainability objectives.
Environmental Challenges Continue to Mount
Nigeria remains one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite contributing relatively little to global carbon emissions.
Across the northern region, desertification continues to threaten agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods. Communities in states bordering the Sahel region face advancing desert encroachment, declining soil fertility, and increasing pressure on water resources.
In southern Nigeria, coastal erosion, flooding, rising sea levels, and saltwater intrusion are affecting communities, infrastructure, and economic activities along the Atlantic coastline.
The country is also grappling with biodiversity loss driven by deforestation, illegal logging, urban expansion, mining activities, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
Conservationists warn that several ecosystems and wildlife habitats remain under significant threat without sustained investment in environmental protection programmes.
Against this backdrop, Nigerian officials argue that expanded GEF financing under the GEF-9 cycle will be crucial for strengthening adaptation measures, restoring degraded landscapes, improving environmental governance, and supporting vulnerable communities.
Outstanding Financial Commitments
While seeking additional support, Nigeria also acknowledged concerns regarding outstanding financial commitments to the GEF.
Financial records presented during the Assembly indicated that Nigeria still owes approximately $6.1 million in unpaid pledges dating back to the GEF-4 and GEF-5 funding cycles. The country is reportedly the only member state with unresolved commitments spanning two separate funding periods.
Minister Lawal acknowledged the arrears and assured delegates that efforts were ongoing to settle the outstanding obligations. However, no specific timeline was provided for fulfilling the commitments.
Observers note that resolving the arrears could strengthen Nigeria’s credibility within international environmental financing institutions and improve its position in future funding negotiations.
Greater Role for Local Communities
One of the major themes of the GEF-9 cycle will be increased participation by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in environmental projects.
GEF officials indicated that future funding decisions will place greater emphasis on initiatives that directly benefit local populations and involve communities in project planning, implementation, and monitoring.
For Nigeria, this approach could significantly influence how future climate and conservation projects are designed, particularly in rural areas where communities serve as the first line of defense against environmental degradation.
Although indigenous governance structures vary across countries, GEF representatives emphasized that local communities and indigenous groups will receive equal consideration in project development, ensuring that environmental solutions are driven by those most affected by climate change and ecosystem decline.
Success Stories Emerging from GEF Projects
The Assembly also highlighted positive outcomes from ongoing GEF-supported projects in Nigeria.
One notable example involves programmes implemented through the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands of Yobe State. The initiative provides farmers with improved crop varieties, climate information services, and early warning systems designed to help communities adapt to changing weather patterns and strengthen food security.
Environmental experts say such interventions demonstrate how targeted funding can improve livelihoods while simultaneously advancing conservation goals.
By helping communities adapt to climate risks, these programmes reduce vulnerability, enhance resilience, and support sustainable agricultural production in areas already experiencing environmental stress.
Calls for Broader Investment
Civil society organisations attending the Assembly urged international partners to expand support for developing countries facing escalating climate pressures.
They argued that environmental financing should not only focus on conservation but also address the social and economic impacts of climate change, particularly in countries where environmental degradation contributes to poverty, displacement, and insecurity.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Environment echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for innovative financing mechanisms that combine public funding, private-sector investment, community participation, and international support.
According to ministry representatives, successful implementation of future projects will depend on stronger institutional capacity, improved project management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable financing models capable of delivering long-term environmental benefits.
Looking Ahead to GEF-9
As the GEF-9 cycle begins on July 1, Nigeria is positioning itself to access greater resources to confront some of its most pressing environmental challenges.
Government officials believe that increased funding could accelerate efforts to restore degraded lands, combat desertification, protect biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and support the country’s broader commitments under international environmental agreements.
However, experts caution that access to additional financing must be accompanied by transparent implementation, effective monitoring, accountability, and measurable outcomes to ensure that environmental investments translate into real improvements for communities and ecosystems.
With climate-related disasters becoming more frequent and environmental pressures intensifying, the next funding cycle is expected to play a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s environmental future and its ability to build a more resilient and sustainable economy.
