September 12, (THEWILL) — The United Kingdom Government has committed £19 million towards developing climate-resilient health and education facilities in Nigeria, marking a major intervention in the country’s fight against climate change and its devastating impact on essential services. The announcement came on 9 September 2025 during the joint inauguration of 84 upgraded schools and health facilities across Kano and Jigawa States under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative.
The initiative, described as a pioneering model for low-cost, scalable, and community-owned solutions, was jointly delivered through a partnership between the UK Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Governments of Kano and Jigawa States, UNICEF, and other international and local organisations. The completed projects include 39 renovated primary healthcare centres and 45 climate-adapted schools, designed to withstand flooding, extreme heat, and other climate shocks that regularly disrupt essential services.
Nigeria is ranked second globally in terms of climate-related risks to children, with millions of young people facing displacement, malnutrition, or disrupted education annually as a result of floods, droughts, and extreme weather events. The CRIBS model was developed specifically to respond to these risks by providing robust infrastructure that protects children’s access to classrooms and healthcare facilities, even in the most vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the inauguration, Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Abuja, said the funding represents the UK Government’s commitment to Nigeria’s resilience agenda. “The UK Government is proud to support the Government of Nigeria through this £19 million 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 Organisation, Sextant Foundation, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agents 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,” she said.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, also emphasised the impact of the initiative, highlighting its importance for long-term resilience. “This initiative is a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve. 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”, she said.
The inauguration ceremonies held in both Kano and Jigawa featured ribbon-cuttings, site visits, and community engagements that showcased the facilities’ innovative features. Community leaders and government officials expressed optimism that the new facilities would not only protect children and families from the growing impact of climate change but also improve access to education and healthcare in underserved areas.
Launched in April 2024, CRIBS is funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with federal and state governments, as well as global partners including the World Bank, WHO, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agents, Sextant Foundation, and the UK Lafiya Programme. The approach is designed to be affordable, systematic, and replicable across Nigeria.
Based on its success in Kano and Jigawa, CRIBS will now be expanded to other states, including Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina. The expansion is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s national climate resilience agenda while directly improving the health and education outcomes of millions of children and vulnerable communities.
The project aligns with both federal and state climate action priorities, and is seen as a demonstration of how international cooperation can deliver practical, grassroots solutions to global challenges. With climate change posing one of the most serious threats to Nigeria’s future, especially for children, the CRIBS initiative represents a significant milestone in embedding resilience into the country’s most critical services.
By protecting schools and health centres from climate risks, the programme ensures that essential services continue to function even during environmental shocks, safeguarding lives and sustaining education. The UK Government and UNICEF hope this model will serve as a template for broader adoption across Nigeria and inspire similar interventions globally.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
