The National Council on Climate Change says Nigeria will require approximately $336.5bn between 2026 and 2035 to fund climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes.
Director-General of the Council, Tenioye Majekodunmi, revealed this recently saying the funding requirement comprises $195bn for emissions mitigation and $141.5bn for adaptation, with the proposed investments expected to create jobs and strengthen economic resilience across key sectors, including energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
It was mentioned that the funding gap had raised concerns about Nigeria’s capacity to mobilise sufficient resources to meet its climate commitments.
According to the statement, Majekodunmi said the financing estimates covered the country’s climate action needs over the 10-year period.
As noted, many community-based organisations and climate initiatives struggled to secure funding, leaving potentially impactful projects stalled despite their relevance to environmental protection and sustainable development.
To address the challenge, Semaform Foundation announced plans to launch Grant Swipe, a platform designed to connect organisations seeking climate funding with grant providers and investors.
The platform will be unveiled at the foundation’s Handshake Summit and Awards, scheduled for November 13, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye, on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31.
The initiative was developed to bridge the gap between organisations with viable climate projects and funders seeking suitable initiatives to support.
It was noted that many projects failed to progress beyond the planning stage because their promoters lacked access to the financial resources needed for implementation.
“Funding is the difference between a climate plan and climate progress. We created the Handshake Summit and Awards so that recognition becomes relationships, and relationships become funded, measurable action,” the foundation noted.
The summit, scheduled to hold from 1pm to 3pm, will bring together policymakers, investors, development practitioners and climate stakeholders to discuss climate finance, artificial intelligence investment and trade.
One of the sessions, titled Happy and Hungry, will examine the contradiction between increasing global agricultural production and persistent hunger, which is estimated to affect 670 million people worldwide.
The session will feature Daniel Oladoja, Lead Curator of Solar Stories and Visiting Fellow at the University of Exeter; Dr Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency; and Dr Joy Nnamdi Amaoma of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Another session, Ladies in Climate, will focus on improving access to green financing for women and persons with disabilities, particularly in renewable energy, clean cooking and climate-resilient businesses.
The discussion will be moderated by Lyzianah Emakoua, a United Nations Economic Commission for Africa African Youth Climate Negotiator. Speakers will include Lagos State Governor’s Special Adviser on Climate Change, Titilayo Oshodi, and the Executive Director of the World Impact Initiative, Nneka Okoye.
The organisers said the session would examine barriers preventing women and persons with disabilities from benefiting from climate investments, despite their vulnerability to environmental and economic shocks.
Twenty individuals will also receive awards in recognition of their contributions to climate action, environmental governance, policy development and sustainable development.
The Semaform Foundation said its work focuses on connecting technology, climate action, philanthropy and community development to deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes.
