Nigeria’s fight against climate change has received a boost with a £19 million (approx. $24 million) funding package from the United Kingdom to strengthen vital health and education infrastructure.
The investment, channelled through the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative, will provide 39 health centres and 45 schools built to withstand flooding, droughts, and extreme heat—conditions that threaten millions of children each year.
Announcing the initiative in Abuja, the British High Commission and UNICEF described CRIBS as an “innovative model” designed to protect services at the frontline of delivery. Nigeria ranks second globally for climate-related risks to children.
“This programme shows what is possible when governments, international partners, and communities work together,” said Cynthia Rowe, Development Director at the British High Commission. “We hope CRIBS inspires replication across Nigeria.”
Her remarks were echoed by UNICEF’s Wafaa Saeed, who said the facilities would not only protect services but also “empower communities to safeguard their children’s future”.
The CRIBS programme, launched in April 2024 with UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office support, has been piloted in Kano and Jigawa States and is now being scaled up to Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina.
Partners in the initiative include the Nigerian Government, World Bank, WHO, Sextant Foundation, JigSaw, Fab Inc., Crown Agents, and the UK’s Lafiya Programme.
