FG Validates Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria on Wednesday took a significant step toward halting biodiversity loss and reducing the degradation of high-biodiversity areas to near zero with the
Federal Government officially validated the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025–2030.

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025-2030, is a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The validation was performed in Abuja by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who was represented by the Director of the Forestry Department, Dr. Amah Moses.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said the newly updated NBSAP is broad in scope, with ambitious and comprehensive targets that aim to transform Nigeria’s biodiversity landscape.

He noted that: “Target 1 alone will have a massive impact,” while adding that the NBSAP has outlined Nigeria’s unique biodiversity, including its rich ecosystems and endemic species, which are deeply integrated into the country’s economy, ecology, and culture.

He said: “As is clearly articulated in the NBSAP, Nigeria is blessed with some of the richest biodiversity in Africa,” Lawal said. “This impressive biodiversity not only supports food security, healthcare, fresh water access, and agriculture, but is also essential to the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.”

The Minister stressed that preserving biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity but a national priority, with the plan designed to bring biodiversity loss in critical areas close to zero.

Lawal, while acknowledging that implementing the NBSAP will be a challenging task, however expressed confidence that with persistence, dedication, and collaboration among stakeholders, the goals of the strategy can be realized for the benefit of all Nigerians.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, who was also represented at the event, described the validation workshop as a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s environmental conservation efforts.

He noted that, over the past months, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders had worked diligently to review and refine the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to ensure it aligns with global best practices and national development priorities.

“As we come together today to validate this important document, we are reaffirming our collective commitment to transforming the NBSAP into actionable solutions,” he stated.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Joseph Ojo, highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in biodiversity conservation.

He said: “Biodiversity affects all of us, and our actions or inactions affect biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.”

Ojo emphasized that environmental conservation ultimately benefits humanity, stating, “Let us know that we are not doing the environment a favor, we are actually doing ourselves a favor. Because at the end of the day, the environment does not really need us, we need the environment.”

FG Validates Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Tuggar: US Visa Ban on West African Countries Unfortunate

…Barrier to Trade, Diplomacy and Regional Prosperity

By: Michael Mike

The recent reported plan visa ban of West African States including Nigeria by the United States (US) Government has been described as unfortunate by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar

Tuggar gave the description on Wednesday while giving an opening speech at the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the Ministerial Level in Abuja.

The Nigeria’s Minister who is also the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States Mediation and Security Council, while decrying the apparent inclusion of all ECOWAS member states in a new wave of United States visa restrictions, describing the policy as a significant barrier to trade, diplomacy, and regional prosperity, stressing that the sub-region has lots to offer and should not be discarded just like that.

Tuggar stated that what the US and other superpowers need to do right now is to seek to make deals with the sub-region.

He said: “It would therefore be remiss of me if I did not mention the apparent recent decision by the Government of the United States to include all ECOWAS countries in its visa restrictions (Togo was on an earlier list). This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. We possess critical minerals and even rare earths such as Samarium from the Monazite found in my home State of Bauchi. We would like to do deals with the US, but visa restrictions are Non-Tarriff Barriers to deals. We in this part of the world are students of the Art of the Deal and have been part of the international trading system even before the modern state system.

“ECOWAS countries and the US have a rare opportunity to create a partnership based on principles of need.

“We are also a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers. So, we will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom? Who takes up the opportunities in our region by allowing government officials and technocrats, business executives and entrepreneurs to travel freely back and forth to close the deals?

He stressed the importance of ensuring peace in the region, stating that: “In these challenging times, our ability to come together to consult, collaborate and take decisive action remains vital to advancing peace, security and good governance across our region.”

He revealed that the meeting will deliberate on a number of key issues that directly address the stability, cohesion, and resilience of our region.

He said: “The meeting is also expected to deliberate on the trends and developments in the transition process in the Republic of Guinea, as well as updates on the preparations for Presidential and Parliamentary elections in two other member states at the last quarter of the year.

“The meeting will consider other current challenges, including developments in maritime security, terrorism and transnational organized crime. Tuggar noted that the Council will also review essential elements in the efforts to ensure the operational readiness and sustainability of the regional peace support architecture “with a view to consolidating our presence and improving impact on the ground.”

Also the issue of humanitarian and early warning domains is expected to be considered.

On his part the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Touray in his remarks said the regional body is making progress in strengthening regional peace and security.
He also listed some of the efforts made by the region in this regard which include the ECOWAS Standby Force Logistics Concept and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot Policies; the Supplementary Act relating to the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Regional Platform.

He also said updates on the establishment of National Early Warning and Response centres, responses to the humanitarian situation in the region, as well as the implementation of measures against money laundering and financing of terrorism in the region will be shared at the meeting.

Touray also said thay tye regional body has been able to change the narratives surrounding the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

“We have successfully changed the narrative, after some difficult time over the last two years. We have started direct talks towards safeguarding the community achievements and building a realistic, fruitful future cooperation in various areas including security and development. We have improved our communication to mitigate the effects of mis and dis information and have put in place mechanisms to project our views to the world. “This is significant as fake news has contributed to the complications of our security and political environment in recent years.”

Tuggar: US Visa Ban on West African Countries Unfortunate

FG To Sign Over 30 MoUs As 2nd Nigeria-Brazil Dialogue Kicks Off Monday

** Agric, energy, defence, innovation, others top new investment drive

By: Our Reporter

The federal government is set to sign over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), as Nigeria prepares to host the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) scheduled to begin on Monday, June 23, 2025.

Agriculture, energy, defence, the creative economy and innovation are among the key sectors driving this new investment initiative.

The three-day event provides the platform for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government to tap into new investment flows, facilitate technical cooperation, and open pathways for enhanced strategic engagements for businesses.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, during a press conference at the Presidential Villa on the planned visit of the Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, to Nigeria.

He said the visit of the Brazilian delegation is a landmark event in Nigeria’s international diplomacy and a strategic platform for deepening bilateral relations between the two influential regional powers.

Sen. Hadejia said the session is particularly significant as it aligns seamlessly with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises economic revitalisation, global partnerships, and the repositioning of Nigeria on the world stage.

“During the visit of the Brazilian delegation, we will engage in comprehensive discussions aimed at expanding collaboration across key sectors such as trade and investment, agriculture, energy, defence, innovation, and cultural exchange. These areas are critical to the sustainable development aspirations of both nations,” the Deputy Chief of Staff noted.

In her remarks, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the bilateral dialogue, first established in 2013, has gained significant traction following President Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil in late 2024.

The Minister revealed that a Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum will take place on June 25, bringing together government officials, private sector leaders, and over 400 million combined consumers.

A major highlight of the forum will be the introduction of sector-specific engagement platforms, including a Digital Trade Room.

“Brazil’s expertise in digital inclusion and Nigeria’s dynamic fintech ecosystem offer powerful synergies for scalable innovation,” the Minister added.

Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said Nigeria and Brazil have held discussions to enhance agricultural productivity in Nigeria and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in key areas such as research and development in animal genetics, soya beans production and related areas endorsed under the SDM.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will leverage the SDM platform to expedite the implementation of the Green Imperative Programme (GIP) – a 4.5-billion-dollar investment programme designed to establish agricultural project delivery offices across the 774 LGAs in Nigeria.

For her part, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, said the ministry will leverage the shared cultural heritage between both countries to transform the Afro-Atlantic cooperation and impact the creative and tourism industry in Nigeria.

She expressed optimism that the signing of MoUs by both countries in the sector would open new vistas for economic and cultural transformation and for the growth of businesses in the creative and tourism industries in Nigeria.

Also, Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representative of the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Janet Olisa, said the meeting will advance economic diplomacy between the two nations, with a strong emphasis on trade, agriculture, digital innovation, and private sector collaboration.

“We are focusing on our areas of strength to bring out the best in us. We have close to 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) under negotiation across agriculture, defence, health, creative economy, and more.

“Some of these will be signed next week, while others will be concluded during the President’s state visit to Brazil. We’re ensuring every ministry brings its best,” she said.

On her part, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), Marion Moon, noted that planning has extended beyond the national level to involve states and the private sector.

“Efforts have been made towards the success of this meeting, not just at the national but also at the subnational level. We plan to host Brazilian investors and take them to states like Kebbi, Plateau, Lagos, Edo, Nasarawa and the FCT.”

The SDM being coordinated by the Office of the Vice President is designed not just as a diplomatic event but as a strategic platform to secure real investment outcomes and deepen South-South cooperation.

FG To Sign Over 30 MoUs As 2nd Nigeria-Brazil Dialogue Kicks Off Monday