Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were observed conducting mass burial rites for approximately 30 of their members following a series of devastating airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Credible military sources told Zagazola Makama that the terrorists conducted burial rites in the Mallam Fatori axis after a series of precision air interdiction missions carried out by the Nigerian military under Operation HADIN KAI.

The sources said the strikes were executed after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) reports confirmed the movement of ISWAP fighters along waterways around the Kaniram Island area.

An ISR platform had earlier observed a large number of boats estimated at over 30 positioned along the riverbank, with associated human activity indicating the presence of terrorists coordinating logistics and movement.

Following positive identification, air assets conducted multiple precision strikes on the targets.

“The initial strike disrupted and destroyed several of the boats used by the terrorists for transportation and logistics,” a source said.

Subsequent strikes targeted fleeing and regrouping elements within nearby vegetation, leading to further neutralisation of fighters.

According to Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), more than 30 terrorists were killed across the engagements, while several others were seen escaping into adjoining hideouts.

Further intelligence, including post-strike imagery and intercepted visuals, later confirmed that ISWAP members conducted mass burial rites for those killed during the operation in the Mallam Fatori axis.

“The burial activities observed serve as clear confirmation of the scale of losses inflicted on the terrorist group,” the source added.

In a related development, additional strikes were carried out at nearby locations, including Sowolwolo, where a separate group of terrorists was engaged and eliminated.

Military authorities noted that the sustained air operations have significantly degraded the operational capability of ISWAP elements in the Lake Chad region, particularly their mobility and ability to coordinate attacks.

The Nigerian military reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups and consolidating gains recorded in ongoing operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the North East.

Lagos State Government has clarified that only residents of government-owned social housing estates are required to obtain a permit and pay administrative fees for installing solar power systems.

Wale Ajetunmobi, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated this on Wednesday while responding to a viral video showing Task Force officials from the state carrying out an enforcement operation on a building whose occupant failed to obtain the permit.

Ajetunmobi explained that the installation of solar power in the social housing estates is regarded as an alteration to the original design and functionality of an estate building.

He wrote, “This development is true, but the man who made the video seems to be misinformed about the Lagos State Government’s guidelines for installing solar energy systems in social housing estates.

“He is likely to be a tenant in one of these social housing estates owned by the Lagos State Government. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have raised concerns about something that was clearly outlined in the indemnity document he signed before the Government handed over the apartment to him after purchase.”

Ajetunmobi added, “Now, to the issue: the Lagos State Government DOES NOT charge all residents living in the State for a permit to install solar power systems for domestic use in their homes, as the video suggested. ONLY residents living in the government-owned social housing estates are charged administrative fees for Alterations, such as the installation of a solar power system, before any additional development can be permitted.”

“The reason for this is that the State Government is responsible for maintaining facilities in its social housing estates. There is a public electricity supply system already installed in the Estates. Installation of an additional power system is taken as an alteration to the original design and functionality of an Estate building.”

The Governor’s aide added that any alteration must be run through the Physical Planning and Survey departments of the Ministry of Housing for approval, material compliance and post-inspection checks.

Ajetunmobi disclosed that the enforcement officers recorded in the viral video are officials from the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of the Ministry of Housing, adding that the occupant in the video didn’t comply with alteration guidelines before proceeding.

“Any alteration must be run through the Physical Planning and Survey departments of the Ministry of Housing for approval, material compliance and post-inspection checks. Those solar power systems are usually installed by occupants in shared areas; so this alteration must be approved by the facility manager (Government) before any occupant can proceed.

“The man in the video obviously did not apply for approval before embarking on such an alteration. The uniformed men seen in the video are from the Monitoring and Compliance Unit of the Ministry,” he explained.

He further stressed that the State Government has had to deal with liability from unpermitted alterations by estate residents, including leaking roofs and severe damage caused by fire.

“So, the simple rule for any estate occupant is to contact the State Government (facility manager) for approval for any external alteration they want to undertake in their building. If an unpermitted alteration affects the entire property, other occupants will hold the government responsible,” Ajetunmobi concluded.