The Federal Ministry of Environment, through its Department of Climate Change (DCC), in partnership with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), has officially launched data collection for the third edition of the Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking (SCGPRR 3.0).
The launch follows a series of preparatory engagements, including a review of the enhanced methodology by the Quality Expert Review Team on May 19, 2026, and a training session for State Climate Change Desk Officers and Directors on May 21, 2026. The questionnaire was formally released on May 26, 2026, with submissions due by July 7, 2026.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change, described the ranking as one of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives for strengthening climate governance and accountability across Nigeria’s states.
“As Nigeria pursues its climate goals, the importance of ensuring that climate action is measurable, transparent, and impactful cannot be overstated, and SCGPRR remains a vital tool in achieving these objectives.”
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President of SPP, thanked State Climate Change Desk Officers, Directors, and members of the Quality Expert Review Team for their continued commitment to the ranking process.
He noted that states that submit their questionnaires ahead of schedule will receive special recognition, as early submission reflects institutional readiness – one of the key indicators assessed by the ranking.
However, he stressed that the overriding priority remains the collection and processing of high-quality data that accurately reflects the state of climate governance across Nigeria.
“The success of this ranking depends on the collective efforts of everyone involved, and I want to sincerely thank the Subnational Climate Change Officers, Directors, and the Quality Expert Review Team for their dedication. As we begin the third edition, our goal is not simply to collect data, but to generate evidence that can drive better decision-making and stronger climate action. That is why the quality, integrity, and reliability of the data must remain our highest priority.”
The SCGPRR was established to address a critical accountability gap by creating a systematic and evidence-based framework for assessing climate governance at the subnational level. The ranking helps states track progress, identify weaknesses, and strengthen the implementation of climate policies and programmes.
The first edition laid the foundation and produced what has become one of the most credible climate governance assessment initiatives in Nigeria and across Africa. While the inaugural ranking challenged many state governments, it demonstrated the power of evidence to reveal realities that rhetoric alone could not.
By the second edition, the impact was becoming increasingly visible. More states actively engaged with the process, seeking to understand and improve their performance. The findings encouraged several states to develop climate policies and action plans, while others initiated the domestication of the National Climate Change Act. Civil society organisations leveraged the rankings to strengthen advocacy, and journalists increasingly cited the findings in their reporting.
As a result, the SCGPRR evolved beyond a measurement exercise into a co-created accountability mechanism that not only evaluates climate governance but also helps strengthen it through targeted capacity building, peer learning, and technical support for subnational actors.
Building on the gains of previous editions, SCGPRR 3.0 will place greater emphasis on implementation, institutional strengthening, capacity development, and the use of evidence to drive action. Several methodological enhancements have also been introduced to improve the robustness and policy relevance of the ranking.
By strengthening accountability, improving climate data quality, building institutional capacity, and focusing more directly on implementation, SCGPRR 3.0 is expected to play an even greater role in supporting Nigeria’s climate ambitions and accelerating effective climate action across the states.
