Jane Okeke
Connected Development (CODE) has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s widening climate finance gap, warning that heavy reliance on loans is undermining long-term climate action.
Speaking at the launch of its 2025 Annual Report, Acting CEO Hyeladzira Mshelia disclosed that Nigeria received $4.928 billion in climate finance over seven years—yet 75 percent of it came as loans.
The organisation says this falls sharply short of the estimated $177.7 billion annually needed for Nigeria to meet its climate targets and climate resilience goals.
CODE also reports tracking public spending and development outcomes across 12 African countries, covering sectors such as education, health financing, and oil-producing communities often lacking public scrutiny.
In education, its monitoring under the AGILE programme showed progress in scholarships and digital learning, but persistent gaps remain in school safety and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
In the Niger Delta, CODE says it has trained over 100 host community members on their rights under the Petroleum Industry Act, boosting local capacity to demand accountability from oil firms and government institutions.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the group is calling for stronger transparency systems and civic participation, stressing that the report is not a celebration but a clear call for urgent reform and accountability.
