Osun State has been honoured with multiple awards for its exemplary leadership in climate change action and environmental sustainability.

The accolades were presented at the close of the three-day Pre-Africa Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit (AICIS-2025) Stakeholders Engagement Workshop, which took place at the Western Sun Hotel in Ede.

Organised in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and development stakeholders, the workshop—held from April 28 to 30—brought together a cross-section of high-level participants, including government officials, academics, civil society actors, and private sector representatives. Deliberations centred on climate project development, waste-to-wealth innovations, and access to international climate finance.

In a reception held at the Government House in Osogbo to honour participants, Governor Ademola Adeleke declared Osun a subnational hub for climate action in South Western Nigeria.

“We are elated as a government for the partnership that birthed this transformative workshop,” Adeleke said. “Our commitment to climate action predates our assumption of office. Osun is today the undisputed hub for climate action in South Western Nigeria.”

The governor noted that his administration’s transition committee, formed after the July 2022 election victory, laid the foundation for climate governance in the state. This included establishing a Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Environment and appointing Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe as Consultant on Climate Change and Renewable Energy.

“Since her appointment, Prof. Obuaku-Igwe has innovated on several fronts,” he stated. “Her leadership and partnership with the Ministry of Environment have resulted in three climate action awards for Osun.”

Among the state’s notable projects is the establishment of a Recycling Hub to promote circular economy practices and fast-track waste-to-wealth strategies, coordinated through the Consultant’s office.

Addressing participants at the workshop, Prof. Obuaku-Igwe emphasized the importance of aligning local initiatives with global climate finance structures.

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between grassroots realities and global climate financing,” she said. “With well-developed concepts and strong financial models, Osun is positioned to attract the investments required to implement scalable, high-impact climate projects.”

The workshop featured technical sessions led by renowned experts including Dr. Bankole Seyi, Mr. O.O. Eto Abasi, Prof. Kafeelah Yusuf, and Dr. Ademola Aderinto. Topics ranged from MRV systems and sustainable agriculture to renewable energy integration and behavioural change for environmental protection.

A communique issued at the end of the workshop called for the expansion of public-private partnerships, increased MRV capacity at the subnational level, establishment of project incubation hubs, and alignment of federal and state climate policies.

The communique was formally adopted following a motion by Hon. Funso Babarinde, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Renewable Energy, and seconded by Comrade Akinbode Oluwasegun of the National Youth Council, Osun State.

As a follow-up, stakeholders agreed to submit bankable climate proposals to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) by the fourth quarter of 2025 and to convene a review summit to assess implementation progress.

Governor Adeleke also commended the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Mayowa Adejorin, and the Ministry’s leadership for their dedication to sustainability.

“We are not relenting,” he said. “The knowledge shared here will no doubt translate into implementable projects that will drive sustainable development in Osun and beyond.”

Osun State is expected to play a prominent role at the forthcoming Africa Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit, slated to hold in Abuja from May 27 to 30, 2025.