Climate Change: SGF seeks collective action to mitigate impacts
Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator, George Akume has called for stakeholders actions in mitigating impacts of climate change in Nigeria, Africa and, across the globe.
Senator Akume made the call at the opening session of a two-day Africa Infrastructure and Climate Change Summit, AICIS 2025, on Tuesday in Abuja, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Nadungu Gagare.
The AICIS seeks to bring African leaders, policymakers, development partners and industry experts together to exchange ideas, mobilise investment for climate-resilient infrastructure and green economic growth across the continent.
The 2-day event, attended by stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria began on August 11, to end on August 12, 2025.
The SGF also said Africa is at the crossroad, amidst fact that the continent is blessed with abundant resources, yet, the continent is saddled with the issues of climate change, infrastructure deficits and economic uncertainty.
He said: “Your presence here, reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable development, fostering resilient economies and building a greener, more prosperous Africa.
“This summit provides us unique platform to engage, exchange ideas and forge partnerships that will bolster transformative change across our continent.
“As we deliberate on the urgent challenges and immense possibilities before us, I urge all stakeholders to engage openly and collaboratively, drawing on our collective wisdom to chat practical pathways forward.”
Also speaking, Moses Owharo, Chairman, AICIS Planning Committee, commended the Federal Government, for prioritising climate change in its policy agenda, underscoring the need for more collaboration from Government, diplomatic community and stakeholders in the climate change investments to achieve desired goals.
“Africa stands at a defining moment, a challenge we face ranging from infrastructure gaps, climate change and resource constraints to economic uncertainty which are formidable.
“This challenge presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation, strategic investment and inclusive growth to further forge stronger public-private partnership that drives transformative progress across Africa and the world.
“Our role as a private institution is to complement Government’s development policy implementation to increase impact in life of citizens.
“This summit provides a timely platform to foster stakeholders’ collaboration, share knowledge and develop actionable strategies for advancing infrastructure, combating climate change and accelerating growth, investment and pre-investment, across our continent,” he said.
Highpoint of the event included remarks from Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed and Abdulhameed Aliyu, Managing Director, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL.
Other top personalities at the event were; Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA and representative, Africa Aviation and Aerospace University, Dr Eniola Ajani, who is also, Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, amongst others.
