ABIA RISES TO ENVIABLE HEIGHT IN NATIONAL CLIMATE GOVERNANCE RANKING David Maduako –Umuahia

ABIA RISES TO ENVIABLE HEIGHT IN NATIONAL CLIMATE GOVERNANCE RANKING

David Maduako –Umuahia

It has been celebration galore in Abía states as Abía State came 2nd in 2026 SubNational Climate Governance Performance Rating and ranking .

Announcing this on the 8th of October in Abuja,The
Society for Planet and Prosperity SPP in collaboration with the Department of climate Change Federal Ministry of Environment rated 2nd best in the entire federation , moving the state from its former position of 28th to the present position of 2nd while Kastina state was ranted in the first position .

The SCGPRR provides a comparative assessment of how states are building and implementing systems for effective climate action. Key areas assessed include institutional arrangements and governance structures, climate policies and action plans, climate-related budgeting and financing, implementation and monitoring of climate projects, and public transparency and visibility of climate actions. The methodology places emphasis on documented evidence and verification of reported according to the assessment report Katsina state came first , Abía State came second , Kano emerged third , Lagos State came fourth while kwara state took fifth position in the 2026 climate change performance rating .

Abia’s second-place position represents a significant leap and places the State among Nigeria’s leading subnational governments in climate governance.

The feat reflects the growing institutionalisation of climate action in Abia, including strengthened climate governance structures, policy development, climate planning, budgeting, project implementation and stakeholder engagement.

The Abía states ministry of Environment attributed the success to the commitment of the state governor Dr Alex Óttï
to building an environmentally sustainable and climate-responsive State.

The ranking provides an important benchmark for measuring progress while encouraging continuous improvement, peer learning and stronger climate action across Nigeria’s 36 states. The organisers describe the initiative as a mechanism for strengthening transparency, accountability and climate action at the subnational level.

The Abia State Government commends the Society for Planet and Prosperity, the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, and all partners involved in the assessment for providing an evidence-based platform that encourages states to strengthen their climate governance systems.

The state ministry of Environment said Abia State is proud of this progress and remains committed to moving from recognition to even stronger climate
action and measurable results for its people.
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