Environment
Adaptation Can No Longer Go Under-prioritised

Adaptation can no longer go under-prioritised, Rotterdam 50-plus warn on climate emergency
Ahead of November’s COP 26 climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, a dialogue on climate adaption was held on Monday in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where over 50 leaders have advocated increase in money and political will to boost adaption to the rising and more frequent climate emergencies.
The dialogue, convened by the Global Centre on Adaptation, hosting more than 50 ministers, heads of climate organisations and development finance institutions, emphasised that the forthcoming COP26 climate talks should to treat adaptation as “urgent.”
The group, through a communiqué, observed that adaptation as a response to climate change has not received significant attention, resources or level of action in comparison to reducing planet-heating or emission-cutting efforts.
They argued that physical efforts, scientific breakthroughs and technological interventions such as relocating coastal communities, cultivating more drought-tolerant crops and building higher flood defences respectively are yet to gain priority attention among policy influencers.
At the opening of the meeting, Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Centre on Adaptation, warned that
“millions of lives and the safety of communities around the world are already at stake.”
Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, added that, for Africa, “the impacts are massive.” According to him, “Africa loses today seven to 15 billion dollars a year in terms of climate change, and if that doesn’t change it’s going to be about $50 billion by 2040.”
A consensus on an urgent increase in international funding was apparent as attention was focused on least developed but highly vulnerable countries.
Amina Mohammed,
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, said a “massively scaled-up investment in adaptation and resilience” was “absolutely critical for those at the front lines of the climate crisis.” She, however, lamented the inadequacy of funds for those in greater need of financial assistance for climate adaptation.
Environment
NiMet forecasts 3-day sunshine and cloudiness

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast a mix of sunny, cloudy, and thunderstorm conditions across the country from Sunday, May 18, through Tuesday, May 20.
In a weather outlook issued in Abuja, the agency detailed regional variations expected over the three days and advised residents to take precautions, especially against thunderstorms and strong winds.
For Sunday, NiMet projected predominantly sunny skies across much of the northern region, with cloudy intervals. However, thunderstorms are expected later in the day in parts of Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa States. The North-central region will see sunny conditions, but isolated thunderstorms are anticipated in Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Benue, and Kogi States during the afternoon and evening.
In the southern parts of the country, morning thunderstorms are predicted in states such as Cross River, Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom. More isolated thunderstorms are forecasted for later in the day.
On Monday, May 19, sunny skies with occasional cloud cover will persist in the northern region. Taraba and Adamawa States may experience morning thunderstorms, while isolated storms are likely in the afternoon or evening across Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa. The North-central states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Plateau, are also expected to experience isolated thunderstorms later in the day. Southern areas, including Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, will likely have morning thunderstorms followed by more rain events in the afternoon or evening.
NiMet’s forecast for Tuesday continues the trend, with sunny conditions and few clouds in the north during the morning. Isolated thunderstorms are predicted in Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa States, with additional storms expected later in the day in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba.
In the North-central region, sunny skies with some cloud are predicted, while isolated thunderstorms may occur in the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, and Niger States during the afternoon and evening. The southern region will likely see morning thunderstorms in Cross River, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, with continued thunderstorm activity expected as the day progresses.
NiMet has advised residents to take safety precautions during thunderstorms, noting that strong winds may accompany the weather events. The public is urged to secure loose objects, avoid driving during heavy rainfall, disconnect electrical appliances, and stay away from tall trees. The agency also called on airline operators to consult with NiMet for up-to-date weather information to aid flight planning
Environment
NEMA cautions Lagos residents on safety amid downpour

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has cautioned Lagos residents on the need to observe safety rules to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall in the state.
NEMA Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
Farinloye said motorists should park their vehicles and move away to safer environment during heavy rainfall.
He warned Lagos residents from taking shelter under temporary or makeshift accommodation during rainfall to avoid disaster.
He said people living on low level ground should move to a higher level ground for safety.
“Parents are enjoined not to send their children to errands during the rains.
“Follow instructions given by public safety officials.
“Be alert to changing weather conditions and be ready to move to higher ground.
“Consider postponing outdoor activities,” Farinloye said.
He advised parents to tie down or bring in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during flooding.
“Consider unplugging sensitive electronic equipment before flooding occurs. But do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
“Elevate items stored in your basement to prevent damage. If you have a sump pump, check that it is working,” Farinloye said.
He stressed that residents should consider clearing street catch basins to prevent or reduce street flooding.
He said motorists should void camping or parking along streams, rivers, creeks, or other areas prone to flooding during heavy rainfall.
“These areas can flood rapidly and with little warning,” Farinloye said.
NAN reports that most parts of Lagos has been experiencing downpour for about two consecutive days, leading to flash flooding and the destruction of the roofs of some buildings.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had issued warning that about 30 states, including Lagos were at high risk of severe flooding as the rainy season approaches, raising nationwide concern over the country’s level of preparedness. (NAN)
Environment
Time for climate action is now, not tomorrow- Tinubu to Global leaders

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged world leaders to demonstrate unity, courage, and sustained commitment in addressing the worsening global climate crisis.
Speaking on Wednesday during a high-level virtual dialogue on climate and the just transition, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to forging a paradigm shift in which climate action and economic growth advance together, not in opposition.
“The global climate emergency demands our collective, courageous, and sustained leadership. For Nigeria, the urgency of this moment is clear: we view climate action not as a cost to development, but as a strategic imperative.”
The meeting, co-hosted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inacia Lula da Silva, aimed to accelerate global climate ambition ahead of COP30, which Brazil will host.
Leaders from 17 countries, including China, the European Union, climate-vulnerable states, and key regional blocs such as the African Union, ASEAN, and the Alliance of Small Island States, participated in the meeting.
The leaders sent a clear message: climate action is moving forward, full speed ahead.
Addressing the session from Abuja, President Tinubu outlined Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) as a bold, pragmatic roadmap for reaching net-zero emissions by 2060. The ETP targets five core sectors—power, cooking, transportation, oil and gas, and industry—and identifies a financing need of over $410 billion by 2060 to achieve these goals.
“We are, therefore, in the process of aligning our regulatory environment, fiscal incentives, and institutional frameworks to ensure that energy access, decarbonisation, and economic competitiveness proceed in lockstep. We are also taking leadership on Energy Access,” he said.
President Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s role as an anchor country in the Mission 300 initiative, implemented in partnership with the World Bank and the African Development Bank. The initiative aims to deliver electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
He recalled his participation in the Dar es Salaam Declaration earlier this year and Nigeria’s presentation of its National Energy Compact, which outlines reform commitments, investment opportunities, and measurable targets to expand clean energy access and clean cooking solutions.
“This compact is among the first of its kind in Africa and lays out our policy reform commitments and specific investment opportunities in the energy sector. It sets quantifiable targets to grow electricity access and increase clean cooking penetration.
“We are working to build capacity and ensure that we meet these targets, reflecting not just our ambition but also our commitment to deliver on that ambition measurably,” he said.
As part of the broader energy reforms architecture, President Tinubu announced the finalisation of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy in March 2025. This policy will unlock up to $2.5 billion by 2030 in high-integrity carbon credits and related investments.
He disclosed that Nigeria is actively updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with plans to present a comprehensive revision by September 2025.
“Our climate strategy is not limited to planning and regulation — it is also rooted in market reform.
“We are working to position Nigeria as a premier destination for climate-smart investment through the development of a Global Climate Change Investment Fund, which will serve as a platform to blend public and private capital, de-risk green infrastructure, and finance clean energy solutions at scale,” he said.
The fund will support key national priorities such as green industrial hubs, e-mobility infrastructure, regenerative agriculture, and renewable energy mini-grids for underserved communities.
President Tinubu thanked international partners, particularly the United Nations and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), for their advisory and technical support.
“These partnerships are a shining example of the value of multilateral cooperation in climate delivery. We are prepared to collaborate, lead, and deliver — because we understand that the time for climate action is not tomorrow; it is now,” he said.
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