Sopuruchi Onwuka

The government of the United Kingdom has announced a £19 million funding commitment to Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative in Nigeria.

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The fund would assist the existing partnership among the Brisitish Government, Federal Ministry of Health, the Governments of Kano and Jigawa States and UNICEF develop Climate Resilient health and education facilities in the states.

The UK government announced at a joint inauguration of 84 climate-resilient schools and health care facilities that the fund would assist delivers clear objectives of the partners under CRIBS, the pioneering and innovative new approach to protect essential health and education services from the growing threats of climate change.

Launched in April 2024, CRIBS is funded by FCDO, the UK Government, and developed through a partnership approach from a range of Nigeria Government and international organizations and experts. The main implementing partner has been UNICEF.

CRIBS is a comprehensive and systematic approach to developing affordable, high impact and scalable models of climate-resilient infrastructure for basic services, with a focus on vulnerable communities.

The programme was developed through a partnership which included: UK government, Government of Nigeria, State Governments and international and local organizations including: UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agents UK Lafiya Programme and Sextant Foundation.

Nigeria ranks second globally in climate-related risks to children, with millions affected annually by floods, droughts, and extreme heat. In response, the CRIBS approach has been developed to assess and strengthen Health and Education facilities. So far, 84 facilities, 39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools in Kano and Jigawa, have been renovated through targeted climate adaptation measures.

The inauguration of these facilities marks a significant milestone in demonstrating low cost, scalable, community-owned solutions to climate vulnerability that can be adopted by the Federal and state governments. The events included ribbon-cutting ceremonies, site visits, and media engagements, showcasing how climate-resilient infrastructure can protect essential health and education services which save lives and support children’s education.

Based on the successful implementation of the approach in Kano and Jigawa States, the initiative is being expanded to include Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Katsina states.

Head of Development Cooperation, British High Commission Abuja, Cynthia Rowe, 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, said: “This initiative is a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve,” added “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 inauguration aligns with national and state priorities in climate action, health, and education, and reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to mitigate climate risks and improve service delivery.