Understanding A Promising Vision: Exploring Niger State's Green Economy, Under the Dynamic Leadership of His Excellency Rt. Hon Mohammed Umaru Bago's Government

With the Honorable Commissioner of Industries, Trade & Investment, Aminu Suleiman Takuma and TakeMyGist Team.

Niger State: Located in the North Central region of Nigeria, stands out for its diverse natural resources, including fertile agricultural land, forests, water bodies, abundant mineral deposits, and scenic landscapes. However, the state has not been immune to the challenges of environmental degradation, climate change impacts, and unsustainable development practices that many regions across the globe face. Compounded by difficult financing circumstances, these challenges have prompted the government of Niger State, led by Governor Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, to take action by hosting the Green Economy Summit.

The state has witnessed environmental degradation, such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. Climate change has further exacerbated these issues, leading to unpredictable weather patterns, increased desertification, and threats to agricultural productivity. Acknowledging the potential of green technologies and sustainable development, the government of Niger State aims to leverage its carbon assets and embrace eco-friendly initiatives as a means to boost economic growth. Primarily the concept is to focus on exploring green business opportunities, renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism in order to drive economic diversification and job creation. Additionally, the summit aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and promoting sustainable development in accordance with the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

THEME

Sustainable Future: Harnessing Green Assets and Innovation for Niger State’s Prosperity

The theme of Niger State Green Economy encapsulates the Governor's vision for a sustainable future that utilizes the state's valuable natural resources wisely and efficiently. It emphasizes the importance of innovation in driving economic growth and overall prosperity. By harnessing its green assets, including agricultural land, renewable energy potential, water resources, and biodiversity, the state aims to promote economic development and minimize negative impacts on the environment. The theme underscores the critical role of innovation in advancing the green economy agenda and unlocking new opportunities for economic growth. Overall, the theme conveys the Governor's holistic vision for a greener and more sustainable future, inspiring collaboration and concrete actions for a prosperous future for the state and its people.

The objectives and aims of the Niger State Green Economy concept are as follows:

Investment Opportunities:

The Green Economy blueprint aims to attract local and international investors interested in green assets trading, green technologies, renewable energy projects, and sustainable financing initiatives.

International Collaboration:

The Green Economy blueprint seeks to draw experts from around the world, facilitating the exchange of ideas, best practices, and technologies. This will enable Niger State to learn from successful green initiatives implemented elsewhere and adapt them to its own context.

Technology Transfer:

The Green Economy blueprint serves as a platform for showcasing innovative green technologies and best practices from around the world, promoting technology transfer and knowledge sharing. This will empower the state to effectively adopt and implement sustainable solutions.

Community Involvement:

The Green Economy emphasizes the role of local communities in sustainable development, empowering them with the necessary knowledge and resources to engage in eco-friendly practices and benefit from green initiatives. This will contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Education and Awareness:

The workshops, panel discussions and presentations during the previous summit played a crucial role in spreading awareness and knowledge about green technologies, sustainable practices and environmental issues, thereby enhancing public understanding of the Green Economy concept.

Improved Reputation:

By successfully hosting a Green Economy Summit, Niger State enhances its reputation, both nationally and internationally. It showcases the state's commitment to sustainable development and positions it as a progressive and forward-thinking state, attracting further attention and opportunities.

Contribution to meeting Nigeria's NDCs:

The launch of the Green Economy blueprint and the establishment of stakeholder engagements and commitments during the summit serve as strong statements of support by the Niger State Government for Nigeria's efforts to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other global environmental and inclusive development targets.

Furthermore, the concept of the Green Economy encompasses various keynotes and benefits that are crucial for sustainable development. One aspect is the importance of financing green growth, which involves utilizing the potential of carbon trading and offset projects to attract investments and generate revenue for environmentally friendly initiatives.

Another significant factor is the collaboration between the public and private sectors through public-private partnerships. These partnerships can help finance and implement green projects, ensuring a more effective and comprehensive approach to sustainability.

Decarbonizing energy systems is another vital element, with a focus on utilizing renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and waste-to-energy. This shift towards cleaner energy not only contributes to economic growth but also enhances energy security.

The concept of a circular economy and effective waste management strategies is essential to reduce waste generation and maximize the value of resources through recycling and upcycling initiatives.

Addressing sustainable farming practices, agroforestry, and the use of technologies to enhance food security while minimizing environmental impacts is crucial for green agriculture and food security.

Another important aspect is incentivizing green entrepreneurship, supporting and encouraging local green start-ups and businesses that contribute to sustainable economic development.

Leveraging eco-tourism as a catalyst for community development, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods is an effective approach.

Conserving biodiversity and ecosystems is crucial to support sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and overall ecosystem resilience.

Finding innovative solutions for water management is essential, showcasing efficient and sustainable approaches for agriculture, industry, and residential purposes.

The concept of smart cities and sustainable urbanization promotes green infrastructure, smart urban planning, and sustainable transportation solutions to create eco-friendly and resilient cities.

Empowering women and youth with knowledge and skills to become drivers of sustainable development and environmental stewardship in their communities is also significant.

Lastly, incorporating environmental, social, and governance strategies as business imperatives is essential for regulations to support sustainable practices.

However, the last Green Economy Summit was a truly spectacular event that drew in around 500 participants. These attendees came from various fields such as government, academia, NGOs, industry leaders, policymakers, international partners, investors, and local communities. One of the highlights of the two-day program was the exceptional lineup of keynote speakers, presenters, panelists, and contributors. Notably, the President of Nigeria was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security. Additionally, the summit featured distinguished individuals like honorable ministers, heads of relevant agencies, state governors, representatives from international organizations and development partners, captains of industry, experts in the green economy, members of academia, community leaders, women, and youth representatives, and civil society organizations.

In essence, the last Green Economy Summit is effectively generating heightened awareness through its innovative multi-stakeholder engagement forum, which is specifically designed to shine a spotlight on the economic development challenges and opportunities faced by Niger State. The summit's proactive approach involves tackling environmental obstacles head-on, while also capitalizing on the region's carbon assets and encouraging the growth of green economic initiatives. By doing so, the summit's ultimate goal is to showcase Niger State as a pioneering model of sustainable progress and conscientious environmental stewardship, both within Nigeria and on a global scale.