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Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has called on nations worldwide to take bold, practical steps to combat climate change, describing it as a global threat that requires urgent, country-specific responses.
The call came on Friday during the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) in Addis Ababa, where VP Shettima is on a state visit.
Expressing admiration for Ethiopia’s determined climate efforts, Shettima praised the initiative as a powerful example of tackling environmental challenges “with clarity, courage, and conviction.”
He stressed that climate change cannot be solved through discussions alone but demands concrete actions tailored to each nation’s ecological realities.
Ethiopia’s GLI aims to plant 20 billion tree seedlings over four years, combat deforestation, promote biodiversity, and mitigate climate impacts.
Highlighting the importance of strong climate strategies, VP Shettima said,
“We have long accepted that climate change is not a problem to be solved in a conference room; it is a danger we must arrest with practical actions, with each nation rising to the occasion by responding to the peculiarities of the ecological burdens they face. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is one such response. It is an inspiring blueprint to reimagine the future. To plant 20 billion seedlings within four years, establish over 20,000 nurseries, and create hundreds of thousands of green jobs is to show that the future is something we must plant, nurture, and build.”
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s solidarity with Ethiopia and commitment to climate action, conveying the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian people.
“Ethiopia and Nigeria are the two most populous countries in Africa. This distinction is not just statistical; it is existential. It means we have the largest stake in Africa’s future. More of our people are exposed to the peril of climate change, and we face the highest cost of inaction. This is why we are not mere spectators in this fight. We are partners. We are participants. And we are prepared to play our part to keep Africa green,” he stated.
He reiterated Nigeria’s ongoing dedication to its climate pledges made at successive Conferences of the Parties (COP), most recently renewed in Azerbaijan.
VP Shettima also expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government and people for their warm hospitality, noting the strong shared aspirations between the two countries.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged African nations to adopt the Green Legacy as a long-term cultural ethos, praising Nigeria’s embrace of the initiative.
“This year’s Green Legacy theme is ‘Rise by Planting,’ reflecting our goal to inspire the world with our green vision. We never received aid when we set out to plant 20 billion trees. We thank Nigeria for its support. With its population and growing economy, Nigeria’s government, as represented by Vice President Shettima, will play a crucial role in raising awareness and fostering collaboration among African countries,” he said.
The prime minister called for African nations to reduce dependence on foreign aid and focus on homegrown solutions ahead of Ethiopia’s hosting of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Summit.
Earlier, VP Shettima visited key sites in Addis Ababa, including Unity Park, the Science Museum, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, reflecting Ethiopia’s historic resilience and progressive vision.
