The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on Nigeria and other African countries to actively take ownership of the sustainable development agenda, rather than relying solely on external solutions.
Akume made this call at a press conference ahead of the Bilateral and Multilateral African Infrastructure and Climate Change Summit (AICIS) 2025, scheduled to be held in Abuja from August 11 to 14.
The summit will be hosted by the Africa Business Ventures and Investment Group (ABVIG) in collaboration with the SGF Secretariat, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment and other key stakeholders.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Political Economy Bureau and the Faculty of Engineering. Mr. Nadungu Gagare and Mr. Akume emphasized the importance of African governments in climate change and infrastructure development.
“As the world steps up its efforts to tackle climate change and infrastructure deficits, Africa cannot remain a passive recipient. We must become active builders of our own sustainable future,” he said.
He noted that the summit provides an important platform to develop and implement cooperative strategies to build resilient infrastructure and advance climate action across the continent.
Highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “New Hope Agenda”, Akume said his administration has prioritized infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, energy transition and inclusive economic growth, and that these goals align seamlessly with the vision of the summit.
He described the event as a “clarion call” to governments, private sector actors, development partners and the diplomatic community to harmonize efforts, coordinate policies and pool resources for meaningful change.
“This is also an opportunity for Africa to reassert its voice and agency in the global climate change debate,” Acme added, “ensuring that Africa’s unique challenges and competitive advantages are at the forefront of shaping global solutions.”
“Importantly, I am pleased to see a strong emphasis on gender inclusion, as seen in the active involvement of the Ministry of Women Affairs. No transformative agenda can be achieved without empowering women and integrating their voices into development and climate solutions.”
“I would like to reiterate the Federal Government’s support for this summit and encourage all stakeholders to remain steadfast in our shared mission of building a prosperous and climate-resilient Africa based on inclusive infrastructure.”
AICIS 2025 Planning Committee Chair Moses Ofaro said the briefing strengthened stakeholder collaboration with the summit’s core themes of green infrastructure, climate resilience, gender inclusion and bankable investment partnerships.
He added: “This gathering is also an opportunity to reflect on the vision expressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at COP28 that Africa must not only participate in the global climate change debate, but also lead with urgency, innovation and collaboration. As he rightly emphasized, “strategic investments in green infrastructure are a catalyst for inclusive growth and long-term climate security.”
