RMAFC, CAARS host 1st African climate justice conference

Barbara Bako, Abuja

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in collaboration with the Center for African-American Research Studies (CAARS), has hosted the First African Conference on Climate Justice.…

at its headquarters in Abuja.

Held on Wednesday in Abuja, the conference was themed “Strategic Access, Mobilisation, and Equitable Allocation of Global Climate Funds for Vulnerable Populations”.

It attracted a diverse audience, including academicians, policymakers, civil society actors, traditional leaders, and international development experts.

Speaking on behalf of RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State, Hon. Ismail Mohammed Agaka, welcomed participants to what he described as a landmark international event on climate justice.

“While RMAFC’s mandate differs from that of CAARS, both energy and climate challenges are common concerns, and our collective efforts towards solving these challenges guarantee timely and better results,” he said.

Dr. Shehu commended CAARS for identifying RMAFC as a strategic partner in global discussions around climate finance.

“The relevance of this collaboration will unfold through the thought-provoking presentations and discussions that will follow,” he stated.

He emphasized the importance of securing global energy funding for Africa’s vulnerable populations and highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s recent constitutional reforms—particularly the removal of electricity from the exclusive legislative list—to enable states to better access and manage global climate funds.

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He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the conference would contribute meaningfully to both national and international efforts to tackle climate challenges.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Nnamdi Nwaodu, Director General of CAARS and Chief Convener of the conference, stressed the need for Africa to take a central role in shaping the global climate finance agenda.

“Climate justice means ensuring that vulnerable communities do not continue to suffer the most while contributing the least to climate change,” he said.

“We are not here to rehearse the known statistics of environmental harm—we are here to act. It’s time to claim our seat at the table and design climate finance frameworks that reflect our continent’s realities,” he added.

The conference featured a series of academic and technical presentations from experts across different fields. Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, former Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, delivered a paper on climate adaptation, governance, and resilience in Africa.

Arc. Steve Nwaiwu, Principal Consultant at Delish Nature & Wellness Africa, presented on “Nature, Wellness, and Green Infrastructure for Urban Africa.”

HRH Eze Dr. Okechukwu Izim, a traditional ruler and Head of the Department of Political Science at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, delivered two papers: “Cultural Reflections on Environmental Justice” and “Climate Policy and African Political Economy.”

Also in attendance was Dr. Nwarieji Felistas, Director of the Center for Circular Economy Technology Education.

The event concluded with a panel session moderated by civil society leaders and youth climate advocates, focusing on the intersection of climate finance, local development needs, and community resilience.