The UK Government has committed £19 million to strengthen climate-resilient health and education services in Nigeria.
The funding was announced during the joint inauguration of 84 climate-resilient schools and healthcare facilities in Kano and Jigawa States, under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative.
CRIBS, developed through a multi-partner collaboration including the UK Government, Federal Ministry of Health, Kano and Jigawa State Governments, UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, Crown Agents UK Lafiya Programme, Sextant Foundation, Fab Inc, and JigSaw, introduces an innovative approach to shield essential services from the impacts of climate change.
Nigeria ranks second globally in terms of climate risks to children, with millions affected annually by floods, droughts, and extreme heat. To address these threats, CRIBS has focused on renovating 39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools, integrating climate adaptation measures to protect communities.
The inauguration ceremonies, which included site visits and ribbon-cutting events, highlighted how low-cost, scalable, and community-led solutions can reduce climate vulnerability while safeguarding education and healthcare access for children and families.
Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Abuja, said:
“The UK Government is proud to support Nigeria through this £19m 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. We hope this model will be replicated across Nigeria.”
Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, added:
“This initiative 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 is a model for resilience where it matters most, at the frontline of service delivery.”
This intervention aligns with both national and state priorities in climate action, health, and education, reflecting the UK’s long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria in building resilience, saving lives, and protecting learning opportunities.
