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North-West Commission to Unify Climate Action with Joint Coordination Framework
The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has called for a unified coordination mechanism to harmonise climate action across the seven states of the North-West, warning that irregular rainfall, drought, desertification and flooding now threaten agriculture, livelihoods and infrastructure in the region.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the North-West Climate Summit.
Ma’aji, who was represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Malam Bello Ibrahim, said climate resilience must be central to the development strategy of the North-West and that the establishment of the NWDC provides a platform for a coordinated regional response.
The summit, themed “Advancing Climate Resilience, Green Investment and Sustainable Development in North-West Nigeria,” was convened by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Alhaji Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, and brought together governors of the seven North-West states and chairmen of 186 local government areas.
Ma’aji said the Commission will integrate climate considerations into its infrastructure, agriculture, water, education, health and youth empowerment programmes to address the growing climate threats.
He described the proposed North-West Climate Initiative — anchored on the Climate Academy, Climate Investment Marketplace and Climate Fund — as a viable framework but stressed that it must translate into practical programmes with measurable impact.
“Climate resilience must be central to the development strategy of the North-West,” Ma’aji said, noting that the initiative must move beyond paper to deliver tangible benefits for communities.
To achieve this, he proposed six priority areas for regional action: climate-smart agriculture, water security, environmental restoration, renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure, and green skills for youth and women.
He called for a clear coordination mechanism involving the NWDC, state governments, local governments and development partners to avoid duplication and ensure impact at the grassroots.
Ma’aji reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to work with all stakeholders to build a North-West that is economically productive and environmentally sustainable.
The position was contained in a press statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Abdulrashid Y. Safana, on October 20, 2026.
