The United Kingdom Government has confirmed a funding commitment of £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 new facilities in Kano and Jigawa States under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) programme.
The event brought together representatives of the UK Government, UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Governments of Kano and Jigawa States.
The CRIBS initiative is described as a pioneering programme designed to protect vital health and education services from the growing impacts of climate change. Nigeria is ranked as the second most at-risk country in the world for climate-related dangers facing children, with millions affected by flooding, drought, and heat each year.
To respond to this challenge, the CRIBS approach has focused on strengthening 39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools in the two states through targeted adaptation measures.
The inauguration of the facilities marks a significant milestone in promoting scalable and community-driven solutions to climate challenges. The ceremonies featured ribbon-cutting, guided site tours, and media sessions to highlight how climate-resilient infrastructure can safeguard essential services that protect lives and education.
Speaking at the event, Cynthia Rowe, Development Director Nigeria at the British High Commission in Abuja, said: “The UK Government is proud to support the Government of Nigeria through this £19m commitment to the CRIBS programme. This work has been developed through a partnership of organisations and experts including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the UK Government, UNICEF, World Bank, World Health Organization, Sextant Foundation, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agent and UK Lafiya Programme. CRIBS demonstrates how climate-resilient infrastructure can improve access to basic services for vulnerable populations. We hope this model inspires broader replication across Nigeria.”
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, added: “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 how we can build resilience where it matters most, at the frontline of service delivery.”
The initiative is aligned with the Nigerian Government’s priorities in climate action, health, and education, and reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting the country’s efforts in mitigating risks and improving service delivery.
Launched in April 2024, CRIBS is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented primarily by UNICEF. It brings together Nigerian authorities and international partners to design sustainable and affordable solutions to climate-related threats.
The programme’s success in Kano and Jigawa has already led to its expansion to Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina States, with the aim of delivering broader access to resilient healthcare and education facilities for vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
