An Assessment of Nigeria’s Ranking in the 2025 Climate Change Performance Index

Abstract

Amongst the most highly vulnerable countries to climate change impacts, Nigeria is ranked 160 out of 181 countries with a projected temperature increase between 1.8°C and 3.9°C above pre-industrial levels in 2080. This increased temperature could impact precipitation and flood risks. Amid this quagmire, in the recently released 2025 Climate Change Performance Index, Nigeria's ranking declined from 17th position in 2024 to 26th. Considering the impact of climate change on agriculture, health, infrastructure and the economy, the country’s low scores in climate policy and in renewable energy are indicators that urgent attention is needed even though it maintains high ratings in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Over the years, the government has initiated interventions and policies, such as the National Climate Change Policy as well as the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Framework (NDC-IF), aimed at addressing climate change effects. These efforts are not unrelated to why the country scored high on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Notwithstanding, Nigeria still performed poorly in the Climate Change Perception Index report of 2025. Therefore, addressing the multifaceted impact of climate change and ensuring renewable energy expansion in Nigeria, this brief recommends: i. That through oversight, the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance may wish to ensure proper implementation, and effective enforcement of climate policies, which include the National Climate Change Policy (2021-2030), the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Framework (NDC-IF), the Climate Change Act of 2021, and the Energy Transition Plan of 2022; ii. That the National Assembly Committees on Ecology and Climate Change, Environment, and Legislative Compliance may wish to organise a committee hearing with relevant stakeholders like the Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of Climate Change, and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to address the climate change challenges and come up with a robust framework for methane emission as well as ensure renewable energy expansion in Nigeria; and iii. That the National Assembly Committees on Information and National Orientation, may, through oversight, wish to advise the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Council on Climate Change on the need for public sensitisation campaigns on climate change and sustainable practices.