Katsina State has emerged as the leading state in Nigeria’s 2026 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking (SCGPRR 3.0), following an assessment of climate policies, institutional coordination, financing, project implementation and transparency across the country.
The ranking, according to a statement issued by the Katsina State Government, was conducted by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment. The assessment covered all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The results were presented on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Abuja, marking the third edition of the national climate governance benchmarking exercise.
Katsina’s performance was linked to 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 frameworks guide interventions across agriculture, water, energy, infrastructure, environmental protection and human development, while providing a basis for attracting climate finance and green investment.
Key initiatives highlighted by the state government include land restoration, afforestation, the Katsina One Tree Initiative (KT1T), climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, water resilience, urban greenery, ecosystem restoration and green infrastructure.
These interventions target environmental challenges such as desertification, land degradation, drought, flooding and water stress. They are also intended to support opportunities in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, employment, carbon markets and the wider green economy.
The assessment also recognised progress in institutional coordination, technical capacity, stakeholder engagement and climate planning, which the state government said would strengthen its ability to develop investment-ready projects and mobilise climate-related funding.
Katsina seeks to sustain climate governance gains
In his acceptance speech, the Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Environment and Special Adviser on Climate Change, Professor Mohammed A. Al-Amin, said the recognition demonstrated that climate vulnerability did not have to determine a state’s development prospects.
“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,” Al-Amin said.
He said the recognition placed greater responsibility on the state to sustain its progress, particularly by strengthening climate data collection and monitoring, mobilising more climate finance, increasing private-sector participation and improving transparency.
Al-Amin also commended the Ministry of Environment, the Climate Change Secretariat, other ministries, departments and agencies, and development partners for their contributions to climate governance and environmental sustainability in Katsina.
The state government further cited recognition from organisations including Nature Trust International and the Alliance for Renewable Energy in West Africa (AREWA) as part of its broader climate action efforts.
The event was attended by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal; the Senior Special Assistant to the Katsina State Governor on Climate Change, Suleiman Sa’ad Ribadu; government officials; climate experts; development partners; and other stakeholders.
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