In a significant stride towards unlocking green finance and driving sustainable economic growth, the Federal Government has unveiled the Nigerian Climate Investment Platform (NCIP), a country-led initiative designed to mobilize up to $500 million in climate finance for infrastructure, resilience, and adaptation projects.

The NCIP is the result of a high-level meeting between the Honourable 

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and a high-level delegation from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), held in his office in Abuja today 

 HM Edun stated that, *NSIA has the trust and track record to lead this,* emphasizing the importance of leveraging climate finance opportunities to drive growth, boost export competitiveness, and support key sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and digital innovation.

*If accreditation is the last hurdle, I’m confident they’re ready. The global economic environment demands that we leverage all opportunities—climate finance included—to drive growth, boost export competitiveness, and support sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and digital innovation.*

The platform’s development has been a collaborative effort, with the NSIA working closely with the GCF and local stakeholders to create a structure that can attract both international and domestic capital. As Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Director-General of the NSIA, noted, *The Honourable Minister’s challenge to conceptualize and implement a credible investment platform has catalyzed this effort. We’ve worked with the GCF and local stakeholders to develop a structure that can attract both international and domestic capital.*

Speaking on behalf of the GCF, Mr. Soji Omisore added, *We currently have no standalone project focused solely on Nigeria. That needs to change. We are here to co-create a country platform that aligns with Nigeria’s climate strategy.*

Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director-General of the NCCC, stressed the urgency of increasing Nigeria’s access to international climate finance. *Countries far smaller than Nigeria have multiple accredited entities. That needs to change. We are pushing for the NSIA, NASRDA, and even the Ministry of Finance to pursue accreditation.*

The NCIP forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to unlock climate-linked capital and position the country as a regional leader in sustainable finance, particularly as global trade dynamics evolve and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents new growth opportunities.

With the launch of the NCIP, Nigeria is poised to take a significant step towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. By mobilizing $500 million in climate finance, the country can drive growth, support key sectors, and position itself as a leader in green economy. 

The success of this initiative will depend on the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved, but the potential benefits for Nigeria’s economy and environment are undeniable.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Wale Edun has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to private-sector-led growth, as the World Bank today launched its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) themed *Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth.*

Edun described the Bank as *a tremendous development partner,* praising its technical support and concessional financing via the International Development Association. *We’d like them to continue and to give us more of that to boost us on our way,* he said.

The Minister highlighted progress on fiscal transparency and renewed investor interest across key sectors, stating, *It is investment that grows the economy, creates high-quality jobs, and lifts Nigerians out of poverty in their millions.*

The World Bank projected 3.6% growth in 2025, citing Nigeria’s strongest economic performance in a decade, improved revenue mobilisation, and rising foreign reserves. *There is a lot to be positive about on Nigeria,* said Acting Country Director Taimur Samad, while calling for continued monetary discipline to curb inflation.

The NDU is the Bank’s flagship economic report, published twice a year to support evidence-based policymaking.

As Nigeria builds momentum for inclusive growth, the government’s commitment to private-sector-led development and the World Bank’s support underscore a promising future for the country’s economy. With sustained investment and prudent policy decisions, Nigeria is poised to unlock its vast potential and drive sustainable growth.

The Federal Government has called for the strategic deployment of the nation’s pension assets to accelerate national development, describing the industry as a key engine for long-term growth.

Speaking on Friday at the 2025 Pension Industry Leadership Retreat in Lagos, themed *Sustainable Retirement – Strategic Blueprint for Economic Development and Inclusion*, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr Wale Edun emphasized the critical role of the pension industry in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and development. 

He commended the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) for convening a timely and forward-looking dialogue.

With pension assets now exceeding ₦23 trillion—roughly 8.6% of GDP—the Minister stressed the need to align investments with national priorities such as infrastructure, housing, energy, and digital inclusion. *We must harness the transformative power of pension funds to support sustainable growth—without compromising the security of retirees’ savings,* he said.

HM Edun noted that while the Contributory Pension Scheme has become one of Africa’s most successful savings platforms, Nigeria still lags behind global pension penetration benchmarks. He urged stakeholders to consider well-regulated, de-risked vehicles that balance impact with safety and returns.

Reflecting on macroeconomic trends, he cited Q1 2025 GDP growth of 3.84%, stronger reserves, and a more stable exchange rate, but said faster expansion—at least 7% annually—is essential to reduce poverty. *The budget accounts for just 10% of GDP; institutional investors like pension funds must now take centre stage,* he added.

The Minister reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building an inclusive and resilient financial system that supports Nigeria’s long-term ambitions.

By strategically deploying pension assets, Nigeria can unlock new opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards. 

Thus, the Federal Government looks forward to collaborating with stakeholders to harness the full potential of the pension industry for national development