Katsina State has emerged as Nigeria’s best-performing state in the 2026 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking (SCGPRR 3.0), earning national recognition for its efforts to strengthen climate policies, financing, institutional coordination and environmental project delivery.

The third edition of the national assessment was conducted by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment. It evaluated all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Presented in Abuja on Thursday, October 8, 2026, the assessment examined states’ climate governance frameworks, policy implementation, institutional arrangements, access to climate finance, project execution, monitoring systems, transparency and visibility of climate action.

Katsina’s performance reflects its efforts to incorporate climate action into development planning through the Katsina Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA) and the Katsina State Climate Change Policy and Plan of Action 2025–2030.

The framework promotes climate interventions across agriculture, water, energy, infrastructure, environmental protection and human development. It also aims to position the state to attract climate financing and green investment.

Key initiatives include land restoration, afforestation, the Katsina One Tree Initiative (KT1T), climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy development, water resilience, urban greenery, ecosystem restoration and green infrastructure.

These interventions are designed to address environmental pressures such as desertification, land degradation, drought, flooding and water stress. They also offer opportunities for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy development, job creation, carbon markets and broader growth in the green economy.

The assessment further acknowledged progress in institutional coordination, technical capacity, stakeholder engagement and climate planning. These improvements are expected to strengthen the state’s ability to develop bankable projects and attract climate-related investment.

Speaking during the award presentation, the Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Environment and Special Adviser on Climate Change, Professor Mohammed A. Al-Amin, said the result demonstrated that strong institutions and evidence-based implementation could help states address climate vulnerability.

“Katsina’s emergence as the leading state is evidence that vulnerability to climate change does not have to define a state’s development trajectory. With the right vision, institutions, commitment and evidence-based implementation, environmental challenges can be transformed into opportunities for resilience, investment and sustainable development,” Professor Al-Amin said.

He noted that the recognition placed greater responsibility on the state to maintain its progress, particularly by strengthening climate data collection and monitoring, mobilising more climate finance, expanding private-sector participation and improving transparency.

Professor Al-Amin also acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Environment, the Climate Change Secretariat, other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and development partners to climate governance and environmental sustainability in Katsina.

The state’s climate initiatives have previously received recognition from organisations including Nature Trust International and the Alliance for Renewable Energy in West Africa (AREWA).

The Abuja event was attended by the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal; the Senior Special Assistant to the Katsina State Governor on Climate Change, Suleiman Sa’ad Ribadu; alongside government officials, climate experts, development partners and other stakeholders.

Source: TheNiche