UK commits £19m to climate-resilient health, education facilities in Nigeria

The United Kingdom has announced a £19 million funding package to support the development of climate-resilient health and education infrastructure in Nigeria.

The initiative, launched in partnership with the Federal Government, UNICEF, and the governments of Kano and Jigawa states, saw the inauguration on Tuesday of 84 newly renovated facilities — including 39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools — under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) programme.

Nigeria is ranked as the second most climate-vulnerable country for children worldwide, with millions affected annually by flooding, droughts, and extreme heat.

The CRIBS project, first launched in April 2024, aims to safeguard essential services from these threats by strengthening infrastructure and building community ownership.

Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Abuja, Cynthia Rowe, said the UK was proud to support Nigeria through the £19m commitment, stressing that the programme shows how climate-resilient infrastructure can protect vulnerable populations.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, described the programme as a “testament to what strong partnerships can achieve,” adding that climate-smart investments in schools and hospitals are empowering communities to secure the future of their children.

The inauguration ceremonies, which featured ribbon-cuttings, site visits, and media engagements in Kano and Jigawa, marked a milestone in Nigeria’s climate adaptation drive.

Officials said the model will be scaled up in Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina states.

The CRIBS initiative is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented mainly by UNICEF, in collaboration with partners including the World Bank, WHO, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agents, UK Lafiya Programme, and Sextant Foundation.