Osun State Honoured for Climate Leadership at AICIS-2025 Stakeholders Workshop

 Adeleke Hails Osun as Subnational Climate Action Hub in South-West Nigeria

Osun State has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards for its outstanding leadership in climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability. The accolades were presented at the conclusion of the Pre-Africa Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit (AICIS-2025) Stakeholders Engagement Workshop, held at the Western Sun Hotel in Ede from April 28 to 30, 2025.

The three-day workshop, organised in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and other strategic development stakeholders, drew a distinguished gathering of policymakers, academics, civil society leaders, and private sector players. The forum provided an avenue for deep engagement on pressing issues such as climate project development, waste-to-wealth innovation, and access to international climate finance.

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At a reception hosted at the Government House in Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed immense pride in the state’s growing reputation as a leader in climate action. He said Osun’s dedication to sustainability had long predated his administration, but had received renewed momentum under his leadership.

“We are elated as a government for the partnership that birthed this transformative workshop,” Governor Adeleke declared. “Our commitment to climate action predates our assumption of office. Osun is today the undisputed hub for climate action in South Western Nigeria.”

Driving Sustainable Innovation and Partnerships

The awards bestowed upon Osun at the workshop were in recognition of its forward-thinking environmental policies, community-based green projects, and innovative partnerships that have placed the state at the forefront of Nigeria’s climate change discourse. Osun was specifically lauded for its efforts in clean energy promotion, afforestation, urban waste management, and the empowerment of rural communities through climate-smart agriculture.

The Governor noted that the state had made significant progress in integrating climate resilience into its development agenda, stressing that Osun’s green transformation was driven by both policy commitment and practical action. He also credited the support of international development agencies and local stakeholders for the steady progress the state has made.

“Our administration has prioritised the environment as a development sector. From planting thousands of trees to expanding solar energy adoption and reducing carbon emissions from public facilities, we are walking the talk on sustainability,” Adeleke said.

High-Level Participation and Strategic Outcomes

The AICIS-2025 Stakeholders Engagement Workshop featured breakout sessions, technical briefings, and presentations that explored pathways to securing climate financing and green infrastructure investment for subnational governments. Participants examined ways to improve local government capacity to respond to climate challenges while also tapping into global environmental funding mechanisms.

Experts from across Nigeria and Africa presented case studies on circular economy models, community-led adaptation strategies, and green urban development, offering a roadmap for replicable best practices.

Osun’s hosting of the event was seen as a strategic move that cemented its position as a regional centre for climate dialogue and action. The workshop not only spotlighted Osun’s achievements but also created a platform for new partnerships and funding opportunities, particularly for waste-to-energy and eco-tourism projects.

Adeleke’s Climate Vision Gains National Attention

Governor Adeleke has been increasingly vocal about the importance of climate action, placing it at the core of his administration’s economic and social development strategy. In recent months, Osun State has launched a number of climate-resilient infrastructure projects, including solar-powered water facilities, bio-gas projects, and school-based environmental education initiatives.

His vision aligns with the broader goals of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and he has urged other subnational governments to follow Osun’s example by embedding climate resilience into local governance.

At the reception, Governor Adeleke thanked the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, organisers, and all attendees, reaffirming his government’s resolve to continue making Osun a benchmark for climate and environmental leadership in Nigeria and across Africa.

“The future is green, and Osun is ready to lead the way,” he said with conviction.

Looking Ahead

With the success of the AICIS-2025 Stakeholders Workshop and the international spotlight it has attracted, Osun is now positioning itself as a regional hub for green investments and a model for environmental governance. The accolades received serve as validation of the efforts made so far—and as motivation to do even more.

As climate change remains a defining challenge of this generation, the state’s bold and inclusive approach, championed by Governor Adeleke, offers hope that subnational leadership can indeed drive meaningful change.