Nigerian CSOs seek UN accreditation to boost access to climate funding

By Ugbede James Ankpa

The Director-General of the Civil
Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), Hon. Kunle Yusuff, has appealed to the Director of the NGO Branch at the Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC-DESA) to grant accreditation to duly registered Nigerian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) for United Nations partnerships and funding.

Yusuff stressed the critical role played by CSOs and CBOs in promoting climate action advocacy, sensitising communities on climate finance, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the country.
According to him, accreditation would open access to crucial global funding opportunities and strengthen links with UN networks, thereby empowering grassroots organisations to scale up their impact.
The CSCHEI Director-General also commended Nigeria’s commitment to the UN agenda, highlighting the inclusion of CSOs in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). He noted that partnerships already exist in areas such as SDG implementation, climate change mitigation, environmental protection, basic education, artificial intelligence advocacy, and security–civil society collaboration, including engagement with the Department of Civil Engagement in the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
He further pointed out that the Federal Government has demonstrated adherence to UN global recommendations by nominating CSO, CBO and NGO representatives into SDG-related MDAs. These measures, he said, reflect strong collaboration on initiatives such as the Great Green Wall project, environmental sustainability programmes and climate change awareness campaigns.
CSCHEI therefore urged OISC-DESA to prioritise support for Nigerian CSOs and CBOs to enhance their grassroots contributions to sustainable development nationwide.
Yusuff concluded by applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the National Committee on Climate Change Awareness, chaired by the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, describing it as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s climate action efforts.