Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday inaugurated the Oyo State Council on Climate Change, describing the initiative as a critical step in strengthening environmental governance and deepening coordinated action against the growing impact of climate change in the state.
Council Composition and Mandate
The 20-member council has the governor as chairman and the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources as vice chairman. It draws membership from key government ministries, agencies, the private sector, civil society organisations and academia. The council is expected to serve as a central platform for the development, implementation and review of the state's Climate Action Plan.
Governor's Remarks
Speaking at the inauguration held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor's Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said the establishment of the council aligns with global commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action as well as the Paris Agreement on climate change. The governor noted that Oyo State, like many other regions across the world, is already feeling the effects of climate change, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and increasing threats to food security. According to him, these challenges make urgent and deliberate intervention necessary.
“As a government, we must put in the work required to mitigate the challenges we are faced with,” the governor said, adding that the administration was committed to leaving behind a sustainable and workable blueprint for future governments to build upon.
Makinde emphasised the importance of collaboration, particularly the inclusion of non-governmental organisations, development partners, private sector actors and researchers in the council, noting that their expertise would help translate innovative ideas into actionable public policy. He expressed confidence in the capacity of the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, to coordinate the council's activities, while urging members to remain committed to delivering practical solutions that would strengthen climate resilience across the state. The governor also charged the council to ensure that its work goes beyond policy formulation to include concrete implementation strategies capable of addressing environmental degradation, waste management challenges, flooding risks and other climate-related concerns.
Commissioner's Perspective
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources described climate change as a global emergency requiring localised responses, noting that Oyo State had already begun strengthening its climate governance structures in response to emerging environmental realities. He said the council would function as a multi-stakeholder advisory and implementation platform tasked with setting measurable targets, coordinating interventions and promoting sustainable practices across key sectors of the economy.
Event Attendance
The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders and representatives of various organisations, underscoring the broad-based support for the state's climate agenda.
