The Senate Committee on Environment has commenced the budget defence of the Federal Ministry of Environment as part of legislative consideration of the 2026 Appropriation Bill currently before the Nigerian Senate.

Speaking during the session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi underscored the strategic importance of the environment to national health, economic stability and security, noting that environmental sustainability remains fundamental to Nigeria’s long-term development.

He expressed concern over the persistent underfunding of the Ministry and its agencies, particularly in light of the growing challenges of oil pollution, erosion, coastal flooding, deforestation, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and remediation. 

The Lawmaker observed that while the 2025 recurrent budget recorded appreciable performance, capital releases remained significantly constrained, with warrants issued but no corresponding cash backing for major projects.

According to the Ministry’s presentation, the 2026 budget proposal stands at ?65.96 billion, largely a rollover of the 2025 allocation in line with directives from the Budget Office of the Federation. However, a substantial portion of the proposed capital allocation is tied to ongoing externally supported programmes, including the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, leaving limited resources for other pressing environmental priorities.

Fadeyi reiterated the need for improved funding mechanisms and appealed for the consideration of a Special Intervention Fund to strengthen the Ministry’s capacity to deliver on its mandate. It also emphasised the importance of meeting Nigeria’s climate-related financial commitments in order to unlock international climate finance opportunities and strengthen global environmental partnerships.

In his remarks, the Minister of Environment, Hon Balarabe Abbas Lawal highlighted key interventions undertaken by the Ministry, including flood and erosion control projects, solar-powered boreholes, renewable energy initiatives, clean cooking policy implementation, forest conservation efforts, and strengthened collaboration with relevant ministries and stakeholders.

“I can confidently say that a large number of population, particularly around the coastal areas, have disappeared because of the rising sea levels. We need to do more in that area.

“Then we have also put in some funds on clean cooking stoves , because the federal government approved the clean cooking policy. And this policy, which I'm sure most of us know, is supposed to do three things. Number one, try to reduce deforestation.

“And number two, it's also trying to address the issues of health. Because when a woman goes into the kitchen and cooks for a family of three to five, you find that she has a lot of this smoke. And from what we have heard from the doctors, she smokes three packets of cigarettes.

“And we have seen a lot of cases of lung cancer come from the rural areas, from people who have never seen cigarettes in their lives. They are coming down with lung cancer. So that's why we took this policy to the council, Lawal said 

The Committee Chairman Assured the Ministry of its continued support while reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and diligent oversight to ensure that appropriated funds are effectively utilised for the benefit of Nigerians.

“The Senate Committee on Environment remains resolute in working collaboratively with the Executive to achieve a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Nigeria.” Olubiyi said.