馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Federal Government seeks stronger climate financing for water and sanitation services
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for increased climate financing to enhance the country's water, sanitation, and hygiene WASH systems, emphasizing that greater investment is crucial for protecting communities from climate change impacts. This call was made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, at the 2026 Annual National Climate Change and WASH Conference in Abuja. The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to integrating climate-resilient WASH systems into Nigeria鈥檚 climate adaptation agenda, stating that resilient water and sanitation systems are essential for water security, public health, food security, and economic growth. He highlighted Nigeria鈥檚 updated Nationally Determined Contribution NDC 3.0 as an opportunity to make WASH a central pillar of the country鈥檚 climate response. The conference, themed "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WASH Systems at the Frontline of Climate Change: Aligning NDC 3.0 with National Adaptation Priorities," was organized by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in partnership with WaterAid, UNICEF, and the World Bank-supported SURWASH Programme. Discussions focused on practical strategies for mainstreaming climate-resilient WASH into Nigeria鈥檚 National Adaptation Planning process and the implementation of NDC 3.0. Climate change is increasingly disrupting access to safe water and sanitation in Nigeria through recurrent flooding, droughts, desertification, and changing rai
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation NDIC announced that more than 281 million depositors across the country's banking system are protected against bank failure. This follows reforms that expanded deposit insurance coverage and accelerated reimbursement for customers of failed banks. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDIC, shared this information during the second quarter 2026 Citizens and Stakeholders' Engagement Session in Abuja. The NDIC currently provides deposit insurance coverage across 914 licensed financial institutions, with over 98 percent of depositors fully insured for their entire balances due to an upward review of deposit insurance limits in May 2024. The revised framework increased insurance coverage for depositors in Deposit Money Banks from N500,000 to N5m, while customers of Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks, and Payment Service Banks now have coverage up to N2m. Mobile money subscribers are also covered up to N5m. These reforms have resulted in 98.98 percent of Deposit Money Bank customers being fully insured, up from 89.2 percent before the review. Sunday also noted improvements in the speed of reimbursing depositors, with payment timelines reduced from years to days through the use of the Bank Verification Number. The NDIC has paid over N54.93bn in insured deposits to Heritage Bank customers, reaching 698,040 depositors. In 2025 alone, the NDIC paid N4.06bn to 13,446 insured depositors and N33.59bn to
Must ReadFrance is assessing heat-related deaths following a record-breaking heatwave that caused a significant increase in fatalities, particularly among those aged 65 and over. Elisabeth Charrier, head of the National Funeral Federation, reported that funeral home occupancy nationwide has risen above 66%, with some urban mortuaries, especially in central Paris, reaching full capacity. This has forced people to seek funeral services outside the city and is expected to lead to extended waiting times for cremations and burials. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu defended the government's response, stating that measures implemented for the historic temperatures "held up well" and that air conditioners for hospitals would be delivered soon. However, Greens leader Marine Tondelier criticized the situation, highlighting shortages of ice in emergency departments and calling for accountability regarding the "dramatic situation." Le Monde also noted a lack of compassion from the Prime Minister and head of state regarding the approximately 1,000 heatwave-related deaths, while a petition has been launched by activists advocating for the right to suspend rent payments for homes lacking adequate sun protection and ventilation.
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, to address the significant public health challenge of snakebites, particularly in rural communities. This center will offer clinical services, research, and training, focusing on the Northeast, Northwest, and North Central geopolitical zones where the issue is most prevalent. Annually, over 43,000 snakebites occur in Nigeria, leading to death, disfigurement, and disability. The new center aims to provide specialized care, conduct research on snakebite epidemiology, and ensure access to anti-snake venom. Additionally, the government approved N128.29 billion for five health and aviation projects. These include N62 billion for tuberculosis commodities, marking a shift towards local procurement and eventual manufacturing, and N25 billion for reproductive health drugs and commodities to be distributed through primary healthcare centers. Ten compressed natural gas-powered blood donation medical clinic vans were approved for the National Blood Service Agency at a cost of N6.9 billion, aiming to increase blood collection from the current 25-30% of the required 1.8 million units annually. Finally, N34.39 billion was approved for the construction of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State, which will serve as a hub for agricultural activities, security operations, and humanitarian services in the Middle Belt region.