The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

ABUJA / ACCRA — Borno State Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Lawal Umar Dalorima, has underscored the urgent need for sub-national governments to treat sustainable development and climate action as core economic strategies rather than mere environmental concerns. 

Hon. Dalorima made this assertion following his participation in the high-level Executive Capacity Building Programme on Sustainable Finance, Climate & Energy Transition and Strategic Public Financial Management for Commissioners of Finance in Nigeria.

The intensive programme, held in Accra, Ghana, was organized by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). It drew finance leaders from across the federation under the theme: “Financing the Future: Strengthening Fiscal Leadership for Sustainable Development, Climate Resilience and Energy Transition.”

Reflecting on the evolving challenges of economic uncertainty and global climate shifts, Hon. Dalorima noted that the Accra forum offered a critical platform to re-examine the traditional roles of public finance leadership.

Facilitated by  renowned resource persons – including Prof. Albert Ahenkan of the University of Ghana Business School and Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo of the University of Lagos – the Borno finance commissioner emphasized five core takeaways vital for repositioning Nigerian states, which include Alignment of Fiscal Policie; Navigating the Energy Transition; Strengthening Public Financial Management (PFM);   Innovative Fiscal Leadership; Mitigating Climate Fiscal Risks.

“Governments must actively synchronize their budgetary frameworks, fiscal policies, and investment decisions with long-term environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience,” he said in an educational post on his official Facebook handle.

“Recognizing that climate change directly drives infrastructure damage, food insecurity, and declining productivity, Dalorima stressed that climate-responsive budgeting is no longer optional but essential for sound public financial management.

“The global shift toward green energy presents a dual landscape of challenges and opportunities. States must proactively mobilize resources to diversify regional economies, invest in renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and unlock avenues for private sector participation.

“Robust PFM systems remain the bedrock of good governance, guaranteeing transparency, accountability, optimal resource allocation, and better service delivery to citizens.
“Modern fiscal leadership goes far beyond balancing ledger sheets. It demands ingenuity in domestic resource mobilization, disciplined debt management, data-driven policymaking, and the aggressive leveraging of global climate finance.”

A Collective call to action
Emphasizing the collective mandate of commissioners of finance nationwide, Hon. Dalorima stated that building resilient fiscal institutions is non-negotiable if states are to withstand emerging global shocks while fostering inclusive economic growth.
He lauded the leadership of the RMAFC for convening the impactful capacity-building initiative and praised the resource persons for equipping fiscal leaders with actionable knowledge.
“The knowledge shared will undoubtedly strengthen our commitment to developing innovative fiscal strategies that position our states for sustainable growth, climate resilience, and long-term prosperity,” Dalorima stated.