UN Women, NCCC Call for Gender Inclusion in Climate Policies

By: Michael Mike

UN Women Nigeria, in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), has launched the Gender Integration Toolkit and Strategy for Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), calling for the inclusion of gender in climate policies.

The toolkit is designed to include gender considerations into climate planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring across all levels of governance. It provides practical guidance to ensure that climate policies, projects, and investments are not only effective but also gender-responsive.

Delivering the keynote address, Director-General of the NCCC, Bar. Mrs. Tenioye Majekodunmi, underscored the urgency of embedding gender considerations into climate policy.

“Gender equality is not just a social imperative -it is a climate imperative,” she declared.

She added: “When women have equal access to resources, farm yields rise, household resilience improves, and communities become more sustainable.”

The launch comes amid Nigeria’s efforts to implement its updated NDC 3.0, guided by the Climate Change Act of 2021 and the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS).

Majekodunmi noted that the new toolkit aligns with these frameworks and helps institutionalize gender-responsive approaches across key sectors, including energy, agriculture, transport, industry, and waste.

“We are building an institutional architecture that integrates gender considerations across all sectors,” she said.

“The NDC Gender Integration Toolkit we launched today is a cornerstone of that effort.”

The toolkit, developed by UN Women Nigeria, is designed to equip national, state, and local institutions with tools to identify gender gaps, integrate gender-sensitive approaches in project design, and monitor results through MRE-ready (Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation) and sex-disaggregated indicators.

“If you’re not tracking, you’re just wasting time,” Majekodunmi noted.

“That’s what I love the most about this toolkit ,the ability to track these results and make adjustments based on evidence.”

She stressed that gender equality must become a standard of performance, not an afterthought.

“No policy, no investment, and no decision on climate change should be made without considering its gender implications,”

“This is about institutionalising gender-responsive budgeting and ensuring that women are part of the decision-making process — from the local to the national level.” She said.

The DG praised the collaborative effort behind the toolkit’s development, crediting the support of key government ministries and agencies.

“I wish to commend the UN Women Nigeria Country Office, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs,” she said.

“This type of resource is only possible through strong technical partnerships and shared commitment.”

Majekodunmi called on all stakeholders to treat the toolkit not as a final product, but as a dynamic, evolving tool for lasting change.

“Let us use this toolkit not as an end in itself, but as a living guide, a framework for shared accountability, a catalyst for innovation, and a bridge between national ambition and local impact.”

She concluded her remarks with a powerful message that captured the spirit of the event:

“When gender equality drives climate action, sustainability flows naturally.”

Speaking at the launch of Nigeria’s NDC Gender Integration Toolkit and Strategy, Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to ECOWAS, stressed the urgent need to center gender equality in climate policy.

She highlighted the unequal impact of climate change on women, their central role in climate-sensitive sectors, and the importance of turning tools into tangible action.

Eyong revealed the gendered impacts of climate change, noting that women bear the brunt of its consequences, particularly in vulnerable regions.

“According to the UN, 80% of people displaced by climate change are women and children,”

“Climate-related disruptions directly undermine food security, household incomes, and national economies. Nigeria is no exception.” She said

Second, she emphasized the vital but often overlooked contributions of women to climate adaptation, particularly in agriculture, food systems, and local environmental knowledge.

“Women have a unique knowledge of the environment about medicinal plants, animals, and sustainable practices,”

“They have something to bring to the table to make sure that whatever we are doing is inclusive, rich, and equitable.” Eyong explained .

Eyong called on ministries, departments, and agencies to take ownership of the newly launched toolkit, translating it into real-world policy and programmatic change.

“Tools alone are not enough. They depend on strong ownership and active application,”

“Mainstreaming gender in the energy sector, for example, is not only about including women in renewable projects, but ensuring equitable access to training, finance, and technology.” She urged.

National Consultant on Gender Mainstreaming for NDC 3.0 and LT-LED, Ms. Ogochukwu Ukemezia made a compelling case for translating the toolkit into real, system-wide change.

She emphasized the importance of action, the societal value of gender equality, and the power of inclusive development planning.

Ukemezia stressed that the event was not merely symbolic but a practical rallying point for all actors ,from government ministries to development partners ,to apply the toolkit in their daily work.

“Today’s event is more than a launch ,it is a call for action, a call for every government institution, every development partner, and every stakeholder to embrace these tools and apply them meaningfully in their work.”

She reframed gender equality as a driver of national progress, innovation, and sustainable development, not just a moral concern.

“Gender equality is not just a moral advantage it is a societal advantage. When we empower women and girls, we unlock innovation, resilience, and sustainable development for all.”

Drawing on Nigeria’s development planning history, she urged planners to move beyond token gender chapters and fully integrate gender data and needs across all sectors.

“Before now, what we did in the National Development Plan was to have a chapter for gender and we said ‘leave power out of it, leave works out of it.’ Now, we are putting gender in power, gender in agriculture, gender in energy, and gender in employment.” She stated .

Social Development Director at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Grace Obi Ukpabi emphasized the urgent need to move beyond generic national planning and instead use gender-sensitive data to design policies that respond to the diverse realities of Nigerians.

She also reveal the shift from sidelining gender to making it central to development planning.

Ukpabi called for an intentional, data-driven approach to planning that recognizes how different groups especially women and children experience policy differently.

She urged planners to break the habit of treating the population as one homogenous block.

“When we are done, we must begin to decide by gender, by vulnerability, by originality and then intentionally prioritise what each section of it needs to truly resolve issues.”

She reflected on how past national plans relegated gender to a side chapter, but praised the current shift to fully integrate gender concerns into power, infrastructure, energy, and other key sectors.

“Before now, we said ‘leave gender out of this, leave power out of this.’ But now we are putting gender in power, gender in works, gender in employment. It’s making it more real.”

UN Women, NCCC Call for Gender Inclusion in Climate Policies

Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Gamboru Ngala, kill one terrorist

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have repelled a ISWAP attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) along the Pump House axis of Gamboru Ngala–Kala Balge Road in Borno State.

Sources report that the attack occurred at about 1:15 a.m. on Sunday when terrorists attempted to infiltrate the military base.

According to the sources, the troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat. One of the terrorists was fatally injured during the exchange of fire, and his corpse was recovered from the scene.

The security situation in the area has since been stabilized.
End

Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students

By: Michael Mike

Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, have been advised to pursue academic aspirations in Saudi Arabia Universities.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the Forum of Saudi Arabia Universities Alumni in Nigeria and Neighboring Countries. Vice President for Educational and Academic Affairs, King Khalid University, Prof. Saad Daajim, said no fewer than 850 Nigerian students are currently schooling in various universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with over
3,200 Nigerians graduated from Saudi Arabian universities in last one decade.

The forum which was has as theme “alumni of Saudi universities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surrounding countries and their impact on sustainable development.”

Daajim said: “In Saudi Arabia, there are more than 850 students from this country (Nigeria) studying in Saudi Universities. Already, in the last one decade, there are more than 3,200 graduates from Nigeria.”

He said his country is open to admitting more Nigerians to study in their universities, adding that prospective students from Nigeria will be given acceptable rate.

“We are actually proud to accept more Nigerian students in our university in different disciplines, education, engineering, science, Arabic language, religious studies and medical sector. Hopefully, we will arrange a good acceptance rate for this country because it contributes a huge number of population to the African contigent,” he added.

He also revealed that his country has a scholarship scheme which is available to all irrespective of religion.

The Khalid University Don said scholarship are for both Muslims and non-Muslims, adding that: “According to our regulation, admission will be accessible to all even scholarships.

“And we have King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, most of the scholarships for students are for Muslims and non-Muslims as well. And King Fahd University for Mineral and Petroleum also employs and accepts students from all cultures, all religions, all continents.”

Speaking on the forum, the Don said it is to open communication with alumni from Saudi Universities and see how they are impacting on their environment.

He said: “We found them very active and we expect that when they come back to their country, they will contribute to sustainable development, either for personal living or in the country.”

On the prospect of Nigerian graduates in Saudi Arabia, Daajim said graduates who wishes to pursue higher degrees after their first degree are allowed to continue and also those whose skills are needed stand the chance to be employed.

He said: “Actually, when they graduate from Saudi University, they could continue their higher studies in Master or PhD. And if they are well qualified, they will be hired by the university as a professor.”

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, in her opening remarks commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its long-standing commitment to educational cooperation and cultural institutions with Nigeria.

Ahmad said: “Such partnerships enrich our human capital and strengthen bilateral ties for mutual good. As we celebrate this gathering, I urge the alumni to continue to serve as ambassadors of knowledge, peace and development.”

She added that: “Your role in mentoring young Nigerians, advancing intercultural understanding and contributing to national development cannot be overstated. The Federal Ministry of Education will continue to support initiatives that harness alumni network for national advancement, for educational advancement and sustainable nation building.”

She also recognised the invaluable contributions of Nigerian alumni of Saudi universities to the national growth, peace, education, culture and development of the country.

She said: “Beyond academic achievement, you embody the bridge of friendship, cooperation and shared values between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Education, as we know, is the bedrock of progress.

“The training and exposure you acquired in Saudi institutions have not only equipped you with knowledge but also instilled in you discipline, global perspective and a strong sense of science. These qualities are critical to advancing Nigeria’s quest for inclusive and sustainable development. Indeed, many of you have become respected scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders and public servants whose influence continues to shape our society positively.”

On his part, the Secretary of the Alumni, Dr. Mohamed Munir Ilyas, who was a graduate of Islamic University of Medina said since returning home, he has been contributing towards peaceful co-existence between the two major religious groups in Nigeria.

He stressed that “Of course, when you look at development, where there is no peace, it’s very hard to have development. We have been encouraging our members to be law-abiding citizens and peacemakers, peace builders and peace keepers also. And also to make an impact as far as academics is concerned, as far as moral is concerned, as far as even earning livelihood is concerned.”

Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students