Plateau State Climate Change Assembly

TODAYS COMMENTARY ON PEACE 90.5 (PRTVC) REFLECTED ON CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES IN PLATEAU A STATE

Topic: Climate Change Action in Plateau State by Nandom Kumwar

April 2026 will be remembered in the annals of Plateau State because it marks a significant shift in the state's contribution to the global effort to protect the planet, through the strategic implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation plans.

After more than three years of painstaking work, the Plateau State Climate Change Policy and Action Plan was unveiled at a public presentation ceremony, ushering in a new dawn for citizens, especially the stakeholders who laboured over the documents.

Over the years, Plateau State has recorded milestones in the climate change sector, notably the creation of the first Climate Change Assembly in Nigeria, with representatives from the seventeen local government areas of the state.

At its inception, the Caleb Mutfwang administration became the first to establish the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development in the state, signaling a deliberate effort to prioritise climate change issues.

However, the 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating, which ranks states based on vulnerability and response, places Plateau State outside the top twenty-five across the federation.

The states that ranked highest namely Lagos, Kaduna, Rivers, and Ebonyi, have adopted climate change policies and action plans, alongside legislation that has been passed into law.

For Plateau State to join the top ranks, stakeholders must move swiftly to ensure the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan secures approval, clearing the way for deliberation on the Climate Change Bill in the House of Assembly.

According to the Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Peter Gwom, who spoke during the public presentation of the documents, stakeholders are determined to ensure the law is ready before the end of 2026.

Plateau State has also benefited immensely from international support, particularly from programmes of the Centre for Gospel Health and Development—backed by the European Union and Christian Blind Mission—which has worked extensively in rural communities under the Enabling Resilience to Climate Change Related Risk Programme.

A climate change law will not merely improve the state's ranking; it will expand the state's capacity to access international funding to help communities cope with climate change effects, especially shifting rainfall patterns that disrupt traditional planting seasons.

Local governments across Plateau State are also expected to domesticate the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, as this will ultimately reflect their level of commitment to partnering with the global community in the collective task of protecting the planet.

Climate change, also referred to as global warming, has led to the depletion of the ozone layer and poses a serious threat to human survival.

Plateau State must be repositioned at the forefront of progressive communities taking deliberate action to ensure that humanity wins the ongoing battle to sustain and enhance life on the planet.

Plateau State Climate Assembly (PSCA) – Official Facebook Post

🌍 A Historic First for Plateau State! 🌍

The Speaker of the Plateau State Climate Assembly, Hon. Desmond Chollom, had the privilege of being invited by the Executive Chairman of Langtang South, Hon. Nanfa Nbin Alhassan, to witness a truly historic event on April 15, 2026.

He was accompanied by his Deputy Speaker, Hon. Nanna Yakubu Dashe.

Together, they witnessed the inauguration of the Steering Committee for the very first Local Climate Assembly (LCA) in the whole of Plateau State. 🎯

Langtang South LGA has taken a bold and pioneering step – becoming the first to establish a grassroots climate governance platform.

The Speaker laid out the realities of climate change for local communities and explained how the LCA will localize policy, drive community-led action, and build resilience.

The Executive Chairman inaugurated the 8-member Steering Committee, charging them with excellence and urgency. Mrs. Faith Kyembai-Fontur, on behalf of the committee, declared: "This is not a ceremony – it is a call to action. The time is now."

The Deputy Speaker closed with a warm vote of thanks, reaffirming the PSCA's full support.

Langtang South is leading the way. Every other LGA should take note. 👏🌱

📸 Pictures from the landmark event below.

GOODWILL MESSAGE BY SPEAKER OF PLATEAU STATE CLIMATE CHANGE ASSEMBLY DESMOND CHOLLOM DURING THE PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE PLATEAU STATE CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY AND ACTION PLAN AT ST. PATRICK'S HALL CRISPAN IN JOS, THE STATE CAPITAL

Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State,
The Honourable Commissioner,
Distinguished Stakeholders, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an honour to deliver this goodwill message at the presentation of the Plateau State Climate Change Action Plan (2026–2030).

I sincerely commend His Excellency for the visionary leadership that has positioned climate action at the heart of Plateau State’s development agenda. I also appreciate the Honourable Commissioner and the Ministry for their commitment, particularly in establishing the Plateau State Climate Assembly (PSCA) as a multi-stakeholder platform that promotes inclusion, accountability, and localized climate governance.

The Plateau State Climate Assembly was inaugurated in 2025 with 4 core mandates, which are:

1. Validation of the Draft Climate Policy
2. Develop the Climate Action Plan
3. Develop a Zero Draft Bill of the Climate Law
4. Prepare the State for COP30 (2025)
Today marks the delivery of the first 2 core mandates.

These are not just documents—they are a clear roadmap for building a climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Plateau State.

As we move forward, I encourage all stakeholders to take ownership of its implementation. Our collective action today will determine the future we secure for generations to come.

Together, we can make Plateau State a model for subnational climate leadership in Nigeria and beyond.

Documents don't build resilience, people do.

Thank you, and God bless Plateau State.

Speaker
PSCA

GOODWILL MESSAGE BY SPEAKER OF PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY DESMOND CHOLLOM DURING THE PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE PLATEAU STATE CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY AND ACTION PLAN AT ST. PATRICK'S HALL CRISPAN IN JOS, THE STATE CAPITAL

Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State,
The Honourable Commissioner,
Distinguished Stakeholders, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an honour to deliver this goodwill message at the presentation of the Plateau State Climate Change Action Plan (2026–2030).

I sincerely commend His Excellency for the visionary leadership that has positioned climate action at the heart of Plateau State’s development agenda. I also appreciate the Honourable Commissioner and the Ministry for their commitment, particularly in establishing the Plateau State Climate Assembly (PSCA) as a multi-stakeholder platform that promotes inclusion, accountability, and localized climate governance.

The Plateau State Climate Assembly was inaugurated in 2025 with 4 core mandates, which are:

1. Validation of the Draft Climate Policy
2. Develop the Climate Action Plan
3. Develop a Zero Draft Bill of the Climate Law
4. Prepare the State for COP30 (2025)
Today marks the delivery of the first 2 core mandates.

These are not just documents—they are a clear roadmap for building a climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Plateau State.

As we move forward, I encourage all stakeholders to take ownership of its implementation. Our collective action today will determine the future we secure for generations to come.

Together, we can make Plateau State a model for subnational climate leadership in Nigeria and beyond.

Documents don't build resilience, people do.

Thank you, and God bless Plateau State.

Speaker
PSCA

From Dialogue to Action: Building a Climate-Resilient Plateau!

The Plateau State Climate Assembly (PSCA) made our voice heard at the Norwegian Refugee Council's Climate-Smart Advocacy Event in Jos!

Represented by Mr. Z. Zamani, who delivered our Speaker's paper on "Practical Climate-Smart Strategies for Community Resilience," we stood shoulder-to-shoulder with stakeholders committed to real change.

The conversations were urgent and honest—erratic rainfall, flooding, food insecurity, and land degradation are daily realities for our communities. But here's the truth we championed: our people are not powerless.

With the right knowledge, smart policies, and community-led action, we can adapt, recover, and thrive. PSCA leaves this event more determined than ever to turn solutions into action across Plateau State.

The future is sustainable—and we're building it together.

PSCA Leadership Joins Steering Committee to Kick-Start Plateau Climate Week Plans

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State Climate Assembly (PSCA) have joined key stakeholders in a Steering Committee meeting to officially begin preparations for the highly anticipated Plateau State Climate Week.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Plateau State Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, development partners, and civil society organizations to shape the vision, themes, and activities for the landmark event.

During the discussions, the PSCA leadership emphasized the importance of inclusive climate governance, calling for the active involvement of government institutions, the private sector, academia, youth groups, and community leaders.

Plateau Climate Week is expected to feature policy dialogues, innovation discussions, stakeholder engagements, tree-planting campaigns, and community environmental awareness activities.

The participation of the PSCA leadership highlights the Assembly’s growing role in connecting policy with community action and strengthening climate resilience across Plateau State.

Together, stakeholders are building momentum toward a Climate Week that will mobilize partnerships, inspire action, and advance sustainable development in Plateau State.