Katsina has emerged as the best-performing state in climate governance, according to a new subnational ranking and rating published by the Society for Planet and Prosperity.

The report, unveiled on Thursday, evaluated how effectively Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory govern and implement climate action, environmental sustainability and related policies at the sub-national level.

“Katsina leads the third edition, with five states occupying the highest position,” the report stated. “Katsina records the highest verified score of 640 out of 660 points (96.97 per cent), followed by Abia (615; 93.18 per cent), Kano (600; 90.91 per cent), Lagos (580; 87.88 per cent) and Kwara (560; 84.85 per cent).”

Noting that climate-finance instruments were gaining traction among states, the report revealed that four states, including Ogun, Lagos, Katsina, and Kaduna, recorded implementation of green bonds or qualifying climate-finance instruments, compared with two self-reported cases in the second edition and none in the first.

“A further six states report plans at various stages of development. These findings point to growing engagement with climate financing instruments, although the extent of mobilisation and implementation varies,” it added.

“Nevertheless, the existence of institutions doesn’t necessarily guarantee their effectiveness. Strengthening technical capacity, interagency coordination and sustained implementation remain essential.”

Zira Quagbe, deputy head of programme for the African Climate Foundation, stressed the need to take climate action to the states and closer to where people live, work and experience climate impacts.

Mr Quagbe said doing this “gives us much greater chance of turning national ambition into real implementation and delivering adaptation and mitigation solutions that respond to local realities”.

Executive director of the African Green Economy Sustainability Initiative, Euguen Itua, also hailed the rating and ranking process as necessary to reshape climate leadership across the country.

“Each edition reveals new champions, innovations and commitments that show what is possible when states embrace transparency, ambition and accountability. The momentum we are seeing is extraordinary – and it’s drawing national and international attention to the states leading the way,” Mr Itua noted.