The North-West Climate Summit 2026, a presidential-level initiative convened by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North West), is set to reposition the region from climate vulnerability to a hub for investment, resilience and green economic growth. Scheduled for August 4, 2026, the summit is designed to unlock bankable opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, water security and youth-driven green enterprise, with stakeholders emphasising a shift from policy discussions to practical, investment-driven outcomes.
Speaking to newsmen, Wednesday, at the State House, Abuja, on the initiative, the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement (North West), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, said the region’s environmental challenges, including desertification, water scarcity and declining agricultural productivity, present a unique opportunity to drive sustainable economic growth. According to him, the summit aims to mobilise financing, align government policies with implementation, and deliver solutions that directly impact communities across the seven North-West states: Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
“The North West faces significant environmental challenges, but these also create opportunities for sustainable growth and investment. This summit represents a strategic shift from climate vulnerability to climate investment,” he said. Yakasai disclosed that the initiative is being driven under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, with a focus on aligning national climate priorities with sub-national execution. He announced the launch of a North West Climate Fund to mobilise capital for climate-related projects, alongside a Climate Investment Marketplace, a digital platform that will connect investors with viable projects across the region.
“This is not just a summit; it is a platform for execution. We are creating pathways for investors to identify opportunities and partner on projects that will transform the region,” he said.
In a related development, the Managing Director of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, outlined the commission’s strategy to address environmental degradation, unemployment and insecurity through climate-focused interventions. Ma’aji said the commission, established in July 2024, operates across the seven North-West states with a population estimated at over 65 million people and is guided by a broad mandate covering environment, agriculture, infrastructure, education, health and youth development. He identified desertification, land degradation, water scarcity and food insecurity as major challenges confronting the region, noting that more than seven million youths remain unemployed.
“We are not just looking at empowerment; we are focusing on engagement. Our goal is to turn our youth into productive assets and climate stewards,” he said. According to him, the commission plans to engage at least 5,000 youths in the first phase of a climate initiative involving the planting and maintenance of economic trees aimed at combating desertification, improving soil quality and enhancing livelihoods. “These are not just ordinary trees; they are economic trees that will benefit communities and contribute to a healthier ecosystem,” he added. He noted that the initiative would also have security benefits, as participating youths would help monitor and report threats within their communities.
Also speaking, the Lead Consultant of the summit, Dr Mea Boykins, said the platform is designed to bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation by delivering practical, bankable climate solutions capable of attracting both local and international financing. “My goal is to connect Nigeria’s climate priorities with local capital and partners. This summit is not just about discussions, but about delivering real, actionable and investable solutions,” she said. Boykins added that the initiative would position the North-West as a destination for global climate finance, with opportunities spanning energy, agriculture and water systems. “We are presenting bankable opportunities across key sectors. This is about restoring land, securing water and powering the future,” she said.
Stakeholders at the summit also stressed the importance of grassroots engagement, noting that environmental sustainability cannot be achieved by government alone. They pointed to global frameworks such as the Kyoto Protocol as evidence of the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration involving the private sector, development partners and local communities. As part of efforts to drive inclusive participation, stakeholders highlighted a “waste-to-wealth” initiative aimed at formalising informal waste collection systems, creating jobs and promoting recycling. Under the programme, local waste collectors are being organised, supported with tools and linked to partners who convert waste into fertiliser, energy and other useful products, thereby reducing environmental pollution and generating economic value.
They also emphasised the role of awareness campaigns, town hall engagements and community participation in addressing environmental challenges, particularly through tree-planting initiatives, including plans to plant 7,000 trees to combat desertification. The summit is expected to serve as a scalable model for other regions in Nigeria and across Africa, signalling a shift towards investment-driven climate action anchored on local realities and global partnerships.
