The Nigerian Presidency unveiled the North West Climate Fund on Tuesday, establishing a financial mechanism to address the region's exposure to flooding, drought, and other climate pressures. According to Punch, the initiative targets approximately N20 billion in funding over the next four years. The announcement was made by Abdullahi Yakasai, the presidential aide for community engagement in the North-West, during the North West Climate Summit held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Punch reported that the fund is designed to mobilise grants, impact capital, and carbon finance to support climate resilience and women-led green enterprises. The money will be channelled through Yakasai’s office to tackle specific challenges, including migration and the transition to renewable energy. Yakasai stated that the global focus on climate financing, which intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, provides an opportunity for the region to access international resources to alleviate local climate issues.
The summit, themed “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Unlocking Land, Water & Energy Systems,” rests on three pillars: the fund, a climate academy, and a climate investment marketplace. The marketplace allows states and local governments to list climate programmes for development partners and financial institutions. Dr. Mea Boykins, the lead consultant for the North West Climate Academy, told Punch that the academy is in its early stages and aims to train 10,000 youths within nine months. She noted that the academy has secured partnerships with institutions including the Lagos Business School and the Institute of Global Negotiators.
Kama Nkemkanma, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, represented Speaker Tajudeen Abbas at the event. He described climate change as a development issue affecting food security and infrastructure, noting that the cost of prevention is lower than the cost of rebuilding after disasters. The gathering was co-hosted by the regional governors' forum and the North West Development Commission. Vice President Kashim Shettima was represented by Mariam Masha, the presidential aide for regional development programmes.
The initiative comes as the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook, presented in April by the water resources minister, identified 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as high-risk. The report highlighted over 14,000 communities across 266 local government areas, with six of the seven North-West states listed as high-risk for flooding.