President Bola Tinubu has officially unveiled the Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour (REHCCAT), a national campaign designed to strengthen climate resilience and encourage sustainable development throughout Nigeria.
Speaking through the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, during the launch at the State House in Abuja, the President urged governors, private sector players, and other stakeholders to take leading roles in driving Nigeria’s transition toward climate sustainability and turning awareness into measurable action.
Tinubu described the initiative as more than a series of events, calling it a nationwide movement focused on innovation, opportunity, and collective responsibility. He noted that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a present reality already affecting various parts of the country. According to him, drought and desertification continue to threaten farmers in northern Nigeria, while erosion and flooding impact coastal and southern communities. Businesses are also facing increasing energy costs and disruptions to supply chains, while the future of young Nigerians depends heavily on the environmental decisions being made today.
The President stressed that climate change should not be viewed only as a threat but also as an opportunity for economic transformation. He explained that the global shift toward low-carbon development is accelerating, with investment capital, markets, and technology evolving rapidly. Nations that adapt quickly, he said, will emerge as leaders in the future economy, and Nigeria intends to position itself among them.
Through the REHCCAT initiative, Tinubu said climate awareness campaigns would move beyond conference venues into local communities. The program aims to engage governors, traditional rulers, students, entrepreneurs, innovators, farmers, and financial institutions in climate-related discussions and solutions.
He further highlighted that Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) represent more than policy documents. According to him, they are commitments to lower emissions, strengthen resilience, and protect vulnerable communities. However, he emphasized that such commitments must be backed by concrete action and investment.
Tinubu explained that the awareness tour would help develop climate-related projects at the subnational level while increasing understanding of carbon markets and green financing opportunities. It would also encourage stronger partnerships between government institutions and the private sector, while inspiring a new generation of climate leaders across the country.
Addressing governors, the President described state governments as central drivers of climate resilience and green economic growth. He also urged private businesses to embrace innovation and responsible investment, noting that the future global economy would reward sustainable practices. Development partners, he added, would find Nigeria ready for transparent and accountable collaboration.
Speaking directly to Nigerian youths, Tinubu said the country’s climate transition ultimately belongs to them, adding that their ideas, innovations, and entrepreneurial efforts would shape Nigeria’s future. He linked the initiative to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, explaining that sustainable development, energy security, food security, and economic growth are interconnected priorities rather than competing interests.
The President also emphasized that climate finance should be seen as a strategic investment rather than charity, while climate resilience should be treated as a matter of national security. He stated that Nigeria has chosen leadership and decisive action instead of delay in confronting climate challenges.
Earlier, the Minister of Environment, represented by the Director of Federal Forestry, Halima Bawa, said stronger climate governance at the state level, supported by institutional reforms, performance rankings, and collaboration among states, could position Nigeria as a major leader in climate action across Africa.
The Minister warned that climate change is already producing visible effects nationwide, including desert encroachment in northern regions, flooding in riverine areas, coastal erosion in southern communities, and irregular rainfall patterns affecting farmers. He stressed that urgent action is necessary.
He pointed to the Climate Change Act of 2021 as a major milestone, explaining that the law created a framework for coordinated climate governance, carbon budgeting, and Nigeria’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. The legislation, he noted, institutionalized climate action across sectors and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment under the Paris Agreement. However, he emphasized that climate governance must extend beyond the federal government to state and grassroots levels.
According to him, the Ministry has partnered with state governments to establish climate governance structures, including the appointment of Subnational Directors of Climate Change and the creation of Climate Change Desks across ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure coordinated implementation of climate policies.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of youth involvement in climate action. Through initiatives such as the Eco-School Initiative, environmental education and climate awareness are being integrated into schools nationwide. In addition, the Youth Climate Innovation Hub was introduced to support young innovators developing practical climate solutions.
He explained that the Uni-Go-Green Initiative seeks to equip young Nigerians with skills and mentorship in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, climate technology, circular economy solutions, green entrepreneurship, and digital climate services. The goal, he said, is to ensure Nigerian youths not only advocate for climate action but also build careers and businesses around sustainability.
Lawal reiterated that climate action must reach grassroots communities, describing the awareness tour as a national movement that requires active participation from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and citizens alike.
Meanwhile, guest speaker Prof. Babajide Alo, while presenting a paper titled “Securing Our Climate Future: Empowering Communities for a Resilient Nigeria,” argued that achieving climate resilience would require a shift from top-down technical approaches to community-driven adaptation strategies.
He called for a reassessment of national priorities and lifestyles, urging Nigerians to embrace responsible consumption and production while reducing carbon footprints across all sectors in response to growing climate challenges.
Prof. Alo also stressed the need to strengthen the climate readiness of state governments through improved capacity building, greater climate education, and increased awareness at the grassroots level. He advocated empowering local governments and communities with the resources and capabilities needed to implement climate solutions, which he said would help create sustainable, adaptable, and prosperous communities across Nigeria.