In March 2025, a pivotal moment unfolded in Abuja, Nigeria, as the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) advanced its commitment to strengthening Africa’s climate governance. The AGNES team conducted a high-level technical engagement with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), with a clear agenda: the institutional transition and localization of the Climate Monitoring and Accountability Tool (CMAT) in Nigeria. This strategic visit wasn’t just ceremonial — it was a working mission centred on our Parliamentary work. At the heart of the engagement was an in-depth session with the ICT department of NILDS, laying the groundwork for a seamless handover of the CMAT platform. The discussions focused on operational readiness, backend integration, user interface feedback, and parliamentary accessibility.
NILDS to Host Nigeria’s CMAT
One of the major outcomes of the visit was the formal agreement that NILDS will serve as the institutional host of Nigeria’s CMAT. This tool is designed to enable transparent climate-related budget tracking, enhance climate data accountability, and support evidence-based decision-making for legislators.By taking ownership of the CMAT, Nigeria is not only localizing a powerful digital tool but also setting the pace for innovation in climate oversight. This transition symbolizes a broader shift — from external support to local empowerment — and positions Nigeria as a continental leader in integrating data and digital systems into legislative climate action.As AGNES continues to support regional knowledge sharing and digital transformation in governance, the success of this collaboration in Nigeria signals a strong model that other African parliaments can replicate.
A New Chapter in Climate Education initiated by AGNES and NILDs
In other news, the Abuja visit opened new opportunities of collaboration in education and capacity building programs. AGNES and NILDS agreed to expand the existing partnership to include co-certified Certificate and Diploma programs, integrate customized BISPO programs and roll out participation courses for professional development. In this regard the AGNES Centre of Excellence on Climate Change (ACECC) becomes a hub for academic training, peer learning and executive capacity building. Apart from ACECC, there is the AGNES Advanced Executive Education Programme (AEEP), a flagship capacity building programmes , is set to cater for building capacities of legislators, policymakers, and climate leaders. Both ACECC and AEEP are to be anchored at NILDS as AGNES Academic Programs, as per the expanded MoU.
These programs, tailored for legislators, policymakers, and emerging climate leaders, will address urgent capacity gaps in climate leadership, democratic governance, and policy development. With a shared goal to roll out at least 8 Certificate and 5 Diploma programs, the partnership is set to nurture a new generation of African climate thinkers and doers.
Conclusion
This is not just a win for AGNES, but to Nigeria and further, Africa taps into these strategic moves. As AGNES extends its parliamentary work in West Africa, this Abuja success story reflects what’s possible when climate governance is approached with a tech-eye. Nigeria’s leadership, through NILDS, is becoming a powerful pioneer of revolutionized climate legislation—and the AGNES is humbled to walk alongside.