The Katsina State Government has hailed its second-place ranking in the 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking as a major endorsement of its Green Growth Agenda and commitment to sustainable development.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda said the recognition was “a testament to our administration’s proactive approach to governance, innovation, and environmental responsibility.”
He added that the ranking showed how “collaborative research and data-driven policy can drive real transformation in governance and public service delivery.”
Also reacting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change, Prof. Mohammed Al-Amin, said the recognition demonstrated that Katsina’s climate governance reforms were producing measurable results.
“Coming in second among all Nigerian states is a clear signal that our reforms are working.
“Our administration is deeply committed to climate governance — not only in policy formulation but also in implementation and transparency.
“We want climate action to translate into real, visible improvements in the lives of our people,” he said.
Prof. Al-Amin noted that the ranking validated Katsina’s reforms and reflected how evidence-based frameworks can inform state-level policies and institutions.
He explained that the state’s improvement resulted from deliberate efforts in institutional strengthening, policy innovation, and increased budgetary allocation to climate-related programmes.
The 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking was developed by Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke and the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP).
It was launched in Abuja on October 14, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Environment, in partnership with SPP, the UK FCDO’s Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), the African Climate Foundation, and other partners.
The rating assesses all 36 states across five governance pillars — institutional structures, policy frameworks, budgeting, implementation and monitoring, and public engagement.
Katsina’s rise by 23 places from the previous year represents one of the most significant improvements in subnational climate governance performance, showing progress in administrative capacity, policy delivery, and accountability.
Key areas of progress in Katsina State include:
• Institutional Strengthening: Creation of climate governance desks across ministries and coordination mechanisms with local governments.
• Policy Uptake: Passage and implementation of the Katsina State Climate Resilience and Green Economy Policy (2024), aligned with national performance benchmarks.
• Budgetary Reform: A 30 per cent increase in climate-related funding in 2025, reflecting adherence to the project’s budgeting and monitoring criteria.
• Implementation and Accountability: Launch of Katsina Climate Watch, a digital platform enhancing transparency and citizen engagement in climate projects.
The Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas, commended the top-performing states and encouraged others to adopt the Climate Governance Ranking framework as “a map for reform and learning.”
The 2025 ranking demonstrates how research-driven assessment can strengthen governance systems, improve policy implementation, and enhance environmental outcomes at both state and national levels.
