UK Commits £19M, Partners FG and UNICEF to Launch Climate-Resilient Health, Education Facilities in Kano, Jigawa

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The United Kingdom Government has pledged £19 million to support the development of climate-resilient health and education facilities in Nigeria.

The announcement was made during the joint inauguration of 84 climate-resilient schools and healthcare centres under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative. The event was organised in collaboration with UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the governments of Kano and Jigawa States.

According to a statement issued by UNICEF Nigeria’s Communication Specialist, Samuel Kaalu, the CRIBS programme is an innovative pilot initiative designed to protect essential health and education services from the growing threats posed by climate change.

Nigeria is ranked the second most vulnerable country in terms of climate-related risks to children, with millions affected each year by floods, droughts, and extreme heat.

To tackle these challenges, the CRIBS approach has strengthened 84 facilities—39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools in Kano and Jigawa—through targeted climate adaptation measures.

The inauguration of the model facilities marks a milestone in demonstrating scalable, community-driven solutions that can be replicated by both federal and state governments.

The events highlighted how climate-resilient infrastructure can protect critical services, safeguard lives, and support children’s education.

Cynthia Rowe, Development Director at the British High Commission in Abuja, said:

> “The UK Government is proud to support Nigeria through this £19m commitment to the CRIBS programme. This work has been developed in partnership with the Federal Government, UNICEF, World Bank, World Health Organization, Sextant Foundation, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agents, and the UK Lafiya Programme. CRIBS demonstrates how climate-resilient infrastructure can improve access to basic services for vulnerable populations, and we hope this model inspires replication across Nigeria.”

UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, also commended the initiative, saying:

> “This initiative is a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve. By investing in climate-smart infrastructure, we are not only protecting services but also empowering communities to safeguard their children’s future. CRIBS is a model for building resilience where it matters most—at the frontline of service delivery.”

The inauguration aligns with national and state priorities in climate action, health, and education, reflecting the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s climate adaptation efforts and improved service delivery.

Our correspondent reports that CRIBS, launched in April 2024, is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with Nigerian government bodies and international organisations.

The initiative adopts a comprehensive, cost-effective, and scalable model of climate-resilient infrastructure targeted at vulnerable communities. Following its successful rollout in Kano and Jigawa, CRIBS has now been extended to Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina States.