By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – In a move for environmental governance, Plateau State has launched Africa’s first Climate Assembly, an initiative aimed at translating climate policy into grassroots action and securing a sustainable future for future generations.

The inauguration of the Plateau State Climate Assembly (PSCA), held in Jos, marked a moment in Nigeria’s environmental history.

Spearheaded by the State Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development in collaboration with development partners, the event gathered stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to deliberate on actionable strategies to confront climate challenges in the State.

Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, who officially inaugurated the 40-member Assembly, charged participants to move beyond rhetoric and devise solutions that could reach even the most remote communities.

“The challenges posed by climate change are real and demand urgent, collective action. We need ideas that can be implemented at the grassroots where poverty is high and environmental literacy is low,” Jatau said.

In his keynote, State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Peter Gwom, painted a sobering picture of Plateau’s shifting climate, pointing to erratic rainfall, pest invasions, and increased land degradation as evidence of escalating distress.

Gwom noted, “Plateau, once known for its beauty and mild climate, is now grappling with rising temperatures, flooding, and desertification. The PSCA is a bold response, a platform that gives voice to communities and experts in shaping environmental policy.”

The Assembly’s core objectives are to enhance policy legitimacy, foster inclusive decision-making, access climate finance, and elevate Plateau’s climate leadership on national and continental platforms.

“In line with this, the State has already made significant strides. Projects such as afforestation campaigns, cold room installations for food preservation, dam construction for water security, and the fencing of Jos Wildlife Park to protect biodiversity reflect a proactive stance,” the Commissioner acknowledged.

Prominent voices at the event also called for deeper investment in climate intelligence, data systems, and sustainable technologies. They emphasized that sub-national actors must build strong institutional frameworks to tap into climate finance mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund.

Dr. Nkiruka Madukwe, the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change in her presentation stressed, “This Assembly is more than a formal gathering. It signifies the dawn of a bold vision, one that prioritizes community engagement, evidence-based policy, and technological innovation.”

Dr. Madukwe urged the State to embed carbon market systems, establish a robust climate data repository, and build partnerships with universities and tech innovators to accelerate implementation.

Throughout the sessions, experts examined Plateau’s vulnerabilities across six thematic clusters, ranging from energy, agriculture, and urban planning to health, emergency response, and investment as group discussions exposed major threats to include deforestation, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, poor infrastructure planning, and gaps in climate awareness.

Participants at the four-day event called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws, early warning systems for disaster risk management, and promotion of climate-smart agriculture. They also stressed the need to engage local communities and traditional institutions in the climate dialogue.

Engr. David Wuyep of Fundlink summed it thus, “The only way forward is all-inclusion. From rural dwellers to policymakers, every voice matters in the climate conversation.”

With the Assembly now active, Plateau State is positioning itself not just as a responder to environmental challenges, but as a leader and model for climate resilience in Africa. As many at the gathering acknowledged, the real work lies in translating dialogue into measurable action.

“Let us not be remembered for being the first to launch an Assembly,” Jatau concluded, “but for being the first to make it count.”