The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in partnership with the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, has fixed October 14, 2025 for the official release of the second Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking.
Widely known as the Climate Governance Scorecard, the ranking assesses Nigeria’s 36 states across five thematic areas: Climate Institutions and Governance, Climate Policy and Action Plan, Climate Project Implementation, Climate Budget and Finance, and Online Visibility.
The Expert Review Panel on Subnational Governance Performance met on September 29, 2025, to validate and authenticate the results ahead of the launch.
Building on the 2024 maiden edition, this year’s process incorporated new features, including a Review and Quality Assurance Panel of national and international experts, designed to enhance transparency, integrity, and accountability.
SPP President, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, expressed optimism about the progress achieved so far.
“The ranking is strengthening climate action at the subnational level. The cooperation of state governments and the feedback we received from the first edition show growing political will. I believe this initiative will keep raising the standard of climate governance in Nigeria,” he said.
Chair of the Review Panel, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, described the ranking as a shift from talk to implementation.
“This is the most beautiful thing that has happened to climate change efforts in a long while. It is no longer about roundtables, but about practical results,” he noted.
Other panel members stressed inclusivity and accountability. Dr. Priscilia Achakpa, Global President of the Women Environment Programme (WEP), and Ms. Gbemisola Akosa, Executive Director of C21st, urged recognition of states prioritizing gender and climate change.
Mr. Olumide Idowu, Executive Director of the International Climate Change Development Initiative, emphasized youth inclusion, noting that young people bring innovation and will face future climate impacts.
The maiden edition in 2024 ranked Lagos, Gombe, and Ebonyi as the top three performers, with Borno and Ekiti tying for fourth place.
The 2025 process began with a national workshop on June 24, where state climate officers and focal persons reviewed updates to the methodology.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), through its PACE programme, is funding this year’s edition, following initial support from the European Climate Foundation (ECF).
The launch event, scheduled for Abuja, will attract the Honourable Minister of Environment, Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, state governors, commissioners, NGOs, development partners, and international agencies.
The Expert Review Panel includes Prof. Chinedu Nwajiuba (Chair), Prof. Olukayode Oladipo, Prof. Daniel Gwary, Dr. Eugene Itua, Mrs. Halima Bawa, Dr. Priscilia Achakpa, Mr. Olumide Idowu, Mr. Amara Nwankpa, Mr. Eghose Omoigui, and Ms. Gbemisola Akosa.
Ultimately, the 2025 ranking aims to foster healthy competition among states, attract partnerships for technical support, and accelerate Nigeria’s climate action in alignment with the Paris Agreement goals.
Reporting by Innocent Onoh