Business
RMAFC Hosts First African Conference On Climate Justice
Joel Ajayi
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in partnership with the Center for African-American Research Studies (CAARS), convened the First African Conference on Climate Justice at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, 30th July 2025.
The Conference, themed “Strategic Access, Mobilisation, and Equitable Allocation of Global Climate Funds for Vulnerable Populations,” brought together academicians, policymakers, civil society actors, traditional rulers, and international development experts.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State, Hon. Ismail Mohammed Agaka welcomed participants to what he described as a landmark international conference on climate justice. He said, “While RMAFC’s mandate differs from that of CAARS, both energy and climate challenges are common concerns, and our collective efforts towards solving these challenges guarantee timely and better results.”
Dr. Shehu commended CAARS for considering RMAFC a strategic partner in the global discussion around climate finance.
“The relevance of this collaboration will unfold through the thought-provoking presentations and discussions that will follow,” he stated.The Chairman further said that global energy funding for vulnerable African populations is essential to achieving sustainable development.
He emphasized the importance of recent constitutional reforms in Nigeria, which moved electricity from the exclusive list to the concurrent legislative list. The Chairman observed that the reform would enable subnational governments to generate and distribute power and position the nation to better access and deploy global climate funds at all levels.
He expressed confidence that the deliberations and recommendations of the conference would significantly support ongoing efforts to address national and global climate challenges.
In his keynote address, Prof. Nnamdi Nwaodu, Director General of CAARS and Chief Convener of the conference, stressed that Africa must move from the margins to the centre of global climate finance discussions. He urged participants to develop frameworks rooted in fairness, asserting that “climate justice means ensuring that vulnerable communities do not continue to suffer the most while contributing the least to climate change.
In his words, “We are not here to rehearse the known statistics of environmental harm—we are here to act. It’s time to claim our seat at the table and design climate finance frameworks that reflect our continent’s realities.”
The conference featured rich academic and technical discussions, including presentations from renowned experts such as Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, former Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University who presented a paper on addressing climate adaptation, governance, and resilience in Africa;Arc. Steve Nwaiwu, Principal Consultant at Delish Nature & Wellness Africa who spoke on the topic “Nature, wellness, and Green Infrastructure for Urban Africa.”HRH Eze Dr. Okechukwu Izim, a traditional ruler and Head of the Department of Political Science at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education presented two separate papers; “Cultural Reflections on Environmental Justice” and, “Climate Policy and African Political Economy.” Dr. Nwarieji Felistas Director Center for Circular Economy Technology Education was also in attendance.
A panel session moderated by civil society leaders and youth climate advocates focused on climate finance, local needs, and community resilience.
Business
FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools
By Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government, in collaboration with Investonaire Academy, has unveiled a nationwide financial literacy and wealth-building programme targeting more than 100,000 young Nigerians. The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and long-term financial planning, positioning them for sustainable prosperity in a rapidly evolving economy.
Launched on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described financial literacy as a necessary survival tool for young people confronting today’s economic realities.
He noted that the initiative represents the foundation of a broader vision expected to extend beyond Nigeria to other African nations and global markets.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 corps members annually, the Minister said the programme will provide platforms, resources, and skills needed for both job creation and employability.
“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” he said.
A major highlight of the launch was the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering mentorship, training, and startup support. According to the Minister, more than 200 startups will receive empowerment through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.
He stressed the need for deeper collaboration with private organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups, noting that government alone cannot drive youth development. He further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition, innovation, and digital enterprise, saying these remain critical to reducing the desire for migration and increasing self-reliance.
Outlining the Ministry’s long-term commitments, Olawande emphasized three priorities: supporting youth innovation, equipping them with growth tools, and safeguarding millions of Nigerian youths under the Ministry’s mandate.
Speaking at the launch, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the programme was crafted to revolutionize the way Nigerian youths learn and apply financial knowledge. He highlighted the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS), which offers interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship to make financial education engaging and accessible.
Complementing the digital platform is a new 200-square-metre physical training centre in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will take place.
The curriculum covers key global asset classes — including equities, commodities, forex, and indices — ensuring participants gain a broad understanding of financial markets.
Sicre added that with Federal Government backing, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and reward outstanding participants through a $1 million funding pool to support new and existing ventures.
International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, explained that the initiative aims to bridge long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youths. While schools teach many subjects, he said, essential financial skills are often missing.
“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he noted.
Referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s definition of financial literacy, Odiba stated that implementation remains a major national challenge. He said the initiative brings together government agencies, youth groups, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.
The programme’s curriculum covers budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning — areas where many young people struggle. By offering practical training, real-world insights, and guided mentorship, the initiative aims to build a generation of financially empowered youth capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.
With this partnership, the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy share a common goal: to empower young Nigerians with the financial intelligence and digital tools needed to build wealth, grow businesses, and transform the nation’s economic future.
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