The Federal Government has inaugurated a Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the GEF-backed Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT), aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s climate data systems and meeting Paris Agreement reporting requirements.
Coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Environment, CBIT will enhance how Nigeria tracks, reports, and verifies climate actions across key sectors.
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Forestry Director Halima Bawa-Bwari, represented by Deputy Director Aiwuyo Christopher, described the PSC as a “strategic mechanism” for policy direction and oversight, with a focus on addressing gaps in greenhouse gas data generation and management.
CBIT, established under the Global Environment Facility following COP21, supports countries in meeting the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework. For Nigeria, this includes improving the credibility of emissions reporting across key sectors such as AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use), Energy, Transport, IPPU (Industrial Processes and Product Use), and Waste.
Moreover, the project will build technical capacity and develop a digital platform for transparent, accessible climate data. “The success of the project would significantly improve Nigeria’s ability to meet its international reporting obligations with greater accuracy, consistency and credibility,” Bawa-Bwari said.
The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics and GEF Operational Focal Point, Babagana Bukar, said the committee will align CBIT with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and NDCs.
“Transparency remains fundamental to credible climate action… the backbone of effective environmental governance,” he said.
FAO’s representative, Adesoji Adeyemi, speaking for Hussein Gadain, reaffirmed support for stronger data systems.
NCF DG Joseph Onoja urged coordination to avoid duplication.
NCCC’s Ann Umas said the aim is a “strong, data-driven foundation for climate governance.”
The event was organised by the Department of Forestry with FAO and NCF.
With the steering committee in place, Nigeria is moving to address data integrity gaps that have affected past climate reports and position itself for greater credibility in global climate finance discussions.
