Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a major development effort to strengthen essential services and combat the effects of climate change, the United Kingdom has launched 84 climate-resilient schools and healthcare facilities across Jigawa and Kano states. The initiative, funded through the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office FCDO, is part of the broader Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services CRIBS programme.
With an investment of £19 million, the CRIBS project addresses Nigeria’s extreme vulnerability to climate shocks. Nigeria currently ranks as the second most climate-vulnerable country for children globally, with frequent floods, droughts, and extreme heat disrupting education and health services and endangering millions of lives each year.
The newly constructed and retrofitted facilities including 45 climate-adapted schools equipped to withstand extreme weather and 39 reinforced primary healthcare centers designed to remain operational during and after environmental disasters
These structures feature improved drainage, solar-powered energy systems, rain-water harvesting capabilities, elevated foundations to reduce flood risk, and thermally efficient building materials to combat extreme heat.
Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Nigeria, emphasized the UK commitment to supporting Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities. “The UK Government is proud to support Nigeria through this £19 million commitment to CRIBS. By working with the Federal Government, state partners, and global organisations, we are demonstrating how climate-resilient infrastructure can improve access to basic services for vulnerable populations even in the face of growing climate challenges.”
The project was implemented in collaboration with UNICEF, which provided technical expertise and on-ground support. Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative “This programme shows the power of strong partnerships. By investing in climate-smart infrastructure, we are not just protecting services, we are empowering communities to safeguard their children’s future. CRIBS offers a scalable model for resilience where it matters most at the frontline of service delivery.”
During the commissioning ceremony, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi praised the UK and UNICEF for their sustained partnership and strategic focus on climate adaptation. He noted that Jigawa, regularly impacted by seasonal floods and rainstorms, has historically spent significant resources rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
“The remodeled, climate-resilient infrastructure will serve as a model, and we promise to monitor its efficiency and scale it up to other local governments to achieve greater cost savings, sustainable service delivery, and a reduction in environmental degradation,” Governor Namadi stated.
The CRIBS project represents a critical step toward ensuring continuity of education and healthcare services in climate affected regions. It also aligns with broader efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education, good health, and climate action by 2030.
The UK government has reiterated its commitment to continuing partnerships that support sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and community resilience in Nigeria, particularly in regions most affected by climate variability and insecurity.
