Nigeria’s 2030 Climate Goals Need Everyone On Board—Here’s Why

By: Abudu Olalekan

The pressure’s on. Nigeria’s got big climate targets to hit by 2030, and honestly? It won’t happen without you. That’s the message Dr Bala Inusa, Senior Technical Adviser to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, kept hammering home during a recent gathering in Abuja.

The event itself was significant. Picture this: December 9, 2025. Hundreds of committed Nigerians gathered for the Nigeria SDG Awards and Symposium. It was organized by the African Cleanup Initiative, working hand-in-hand with the United Nations Information Centre. The whole thing had one central message: “Scaling Up Actions: Accelerating Nigeria’s Journey Towards the 2030 Agenda.”

Here’s what Inusa really wanted people to understand. The government’s doing its part. Private businesses are jumping in. Civil society groups are mobilizing. But none of it matters if regular Nigerians don’t step up. “Nigeria cannot achieve the climate action goals without collective support,” he said plainly. “Everyone must join the effort.”

It’s not just rhetoric either. The awards ceremony wasn’t just handing out trophies. It was part of a larger push—an ongoing advocacy campaign designed to get Nigerians genuinely invested in all the Sustainable Development Goals. Climate action, though? That’s the critical piece.

Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise got recognized that day. She works as a Global Environment Specialist for the UN Development Programme’s Small Grants Programme. When she took the stage, she wasn’t just saying thanks. She shared something deeper. “You may not know who’s watching your work,” she told the audience. She wanted people to stay committed to doing excellence in their fields, regardless of whether anyone’s looking.

Her organization’s doing real work too. They’re supporting communities and civil society groups tackling environmental problems head-on. They’re strengthening environmental protection across Nigeria. But here’s what she emphasized, and it stuck with people: “If environmental issues are not addressed, they will fight back and affect everyone.” Pretty sobering thought, right?

Mr. Iduh Otene runs APEARE—the Alliance for Positive Environmental Impact and Reforestation. He received an award as well, and he was honest about what it meant. The recognition would push his organization deeper into climate work. Get more Nigerians involved. Expand grassroots impact. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said. It’s that simple.

But Otene raised another crucial point. Knowledge sharing among stakeholders isn’t happening enough. Nigeria’s facing serious climate adaptation and mitigation challenges. These aren’t issues individual organizations can tackle alone. They need conversation. Coordination. Broader understanding.

Ezegwoya Joseph, APEARE’s North Central Operations Coordinator, echoed similar sentiments. The award recognition? It was motivating. It would push the team to do more. But the message was really directed outward. To Nigerians everywhere.

The bottom line: 2030’s coming whether we’re ready or not. The climate targets won’t achieve themselves. Government initiatives won’t work without private sector involvement. Private sector efforts won’t matter without civil society pushing forward. And nothing—absolutely nothing—moves without ordinary Nigerians deciding they’re part of the solution.

It’s not complicated. It’s just urgent. The time to start playing your part? That’s now.