Katsina State has emerged as Nigeria’s best-performing state in the 2026 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking, followed by Abia, Kano, Lagos and Kwara states.
The ranking, unveiled in Abuja by the Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Society for Planet and Prosperity, assesses how Nigeria’s 36 states are responding to climate change through policies, institutions, projects, financing and implementation.
Speaking at the presentation, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, called on state governments to strengthen climate governance and integrate climate action into their development plans.
The minister stressed that climate change should no longer be treated as the sole responsibility of environmental agencies, noting that effective responses require coordinated efforts across government institutions and sectors.
He emphasised the need for states to translate climate commitments into measurable results that support sustainable development and strengthen resilience to climate-related challenges.
Also speaking, the President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, said climate action must move beyond national commitments to practical implementation at state and local government levels.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening subnational institutions and ensuring that climate policies produce tangible outcomes for communities.
Receiving the recognition on behalf of the Katsina State Government, the Commissioner for Environment, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin, said the award reflected the state’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen climate governance.
The organisers said the ranking is designed to recognise progress, promote accountability and encourage healthy competition among states in advancing climate action.
They added that the assessment would help identify areas requiring improvement and support stronger climate governance systems across the country.
The ranking comes amid growing calls for Nigerian states to strengthen climate resilience, mobilise climate finance and incorporate environmental considerations into economic planning and development programmes.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
