Niger State moves to launch carbon market office for green investment, revenue growth

The Niger State Government has reaffirmed plans to establish the Niger State Carbon Market Office (NSCMO) as part of efforts to position the state as a major player in Nigeria’s growing carbon market sector.

The development was disclosed by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, during an exploratory meeting with stakeholders, development partners and technical experts on the framework for the proposed office.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the vision of Governor Umar Mohammed Bago to combine environmental sustainability with economic growth, investment attraction and revenue diversification.

Usman said the Carbon Market Office is not just an environmental project but a strategic economic intervention aimed at unlocking climate finance, attracting green investments, creating jobs and boosting the state’s revenue base.

He explained that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government would coordinate the programme to ensure policy harmony and collaboration across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Under the proposed structure, Governor Bago will provide strategic leadership, while the Commissioner for Environment will serve as interim focal person for technical oversight during the take-off phase.

The SSG noted that the lean framework was deliberately designed to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate duplication and fast-track implementation, while allowing expansion as the initiative develops.

He added that the state would rely on international partnerships and technical expertise in areas such as carbon accounting, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV), project certification and market access to meet global standards and attract investors.

Legal and regulatory matters relating to the initiative, he said, would be handled by the Ministry of Justice, while agencies such as the Niger State Environmental Protection Agency would operate within their mandates, especially in waste management and landfill carbon projects.

Usman called on development partners, private investors and technical stakeholders to collaborate with the state in building a transparent and credible carbon market system.

He stressed that with the right structures and partnerships, Niger State could become a national model for subnational carbon market development in Nigeria.