By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing the Niger State Carbon Market Office (NSCMO) as part of a strategic drive to position the State as a leading participant in Nigeria’s emerging carbon market ecosystem.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to Niger State Government, (SSG) Alhaji Abubakar Usman, during an exploratory meeting convened with stakeholders, development partners and technical experts to discuss the framework for the proposed office.
Welcoming participants, Alhaji Usman described the initiative as a significant milestone in the State’s broader agenda to align environmental sustainability with economic growth, revenue diversification and investment attraction.
He stated that under the leadership of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the administration remains focused on implementing forward-looking policies capable of addressing environmental challenges while unlocking new economic opportunities for the people of the State.
According to the SSG, the establishment of the Carbon Market Office is not merely an environmental programme, but a strategic economic intervention designed to open access to climate finance, stimulate green investments, create jobs and strengthen the State’s revenue base.
He explained that his office, as the coordinating arm of Government, would ensure a whole-of-government approach to the initiative by driving policy coherence, institutional alignment and seamless collaboration among all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The SSG noted that the State is adopting a deliberate, phased and disciplined model for implementation to ensure efficiency, accountability and long-term sustainability.
Under the proposed governance structure, the Governor will provide strategic leadership, while the Office of the Secretary to the State Government will oversee coordination and policy alignment.
The Honourable Commissioner for Environment will serve as interim focal person to provide technical oversight during the initial phase, while the NSCMO will function as the central coordinating platform, Alhaji Usman stated.
The SSG said the lean institutional framework was intentionally designed to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate duplication and accelerate execution while allowing room for gradual expansion as the initiative matures.
He added that Niger State recognises the technical complexities of carbon markets and will therefore leverage international partnerships and external expertise in key areas such as carbon accounting, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV), project certification and market access.
According to him, this approach will ensure that Niger State’s entry into the carbon market meets global standards from inception and inspires investor confidence.
Alhaji Usman further clarified that all legal and regulatory responsibilities relating to the initiative would be domiciled in the Ministry of Justice in line with established Government procedures, while agencies such as the Niger State Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA) would contribute strictly within their statutory mandates, particularly in waste management and landfill-related carbon projects.
Calling for strong collaboration, the SSG urged development partners, private sector investors and technical stakeholders to work closely with the State Government in building a transparent, credible and results-driven carbon market framework.
He stressed that the opportunity presented by carbon markets is one the State cannot afford to miss, noting that with the right structures, early credibility and strategic partnerships, Niger State can emerge as a national model for subnational carbon market development.
The meeting, the SSG added, provided a timely platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, align expectations and chart a practical roadmap for implementation.
“Niger State is ready to take the lead and with the right partnerships and commitment, we can position ourselves as a model for subnational carbon market development in Nigeria,” he said.
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