Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Michael Simire
Borno explores waste-to-wealth initiative to boost employment, sanitation
The Borno State Government says it is exploring waste-to-wealth initiative to generate employment, stimulate economic activities and improve environmental sanitation through recycling and conversion of waste into useful products. General Manager of the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, disclosed this in an interview on Monday, November 2, 2026, in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Minister seeks synergy among agencies to boost housing delivery
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttaqha Darma, has called for synergy among government agencies in the housing sector to improve coordination and accelerate housing delivery. Darma made the call in Abuja on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the stakeholders’ conference on the proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority (NRERA).
Oil host communities: Group demands 15% OPEX allocation over environmental damage
The Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR) has called for an increase in the statutory three per cent Operating Expenditure (OPEX) allocation to oil host communities to 15 per cent. The Founder and Executive Director of NAPPDRR, Mr. Emem Edoho, made the appeal to the Federal Government in a statement on Monday, November 2, 2026, in Abuja.
Yossef Ben-Meir: Terracing the atlas of Morocco is urgent
Terracing the mountains of Morocco and planting trees upon them and on plateaus is a uniquely important opportunity to restore aquifers, withstand climate extremes, and build the nationally desired decentralized management system. The approach incorporates lessons from international cases while becoming a key global example It is uncommon to implement development projects with only positive impacts on everyone affected.
IPCC authors meet in Tanzania to advance report on physical science of climate change
Scientists of the Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which assesses the physical science of climate change, are meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, from November 2 to 6, 2026, to advance their contribution to the Seventh Assessment Report. The meeting is hosted by the government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Tanzanian Meteorological Authority.
UNEP chief urges countries to accelerate biodiversity action after COP17
The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen, has called on countries to accelerate the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), warning that progress towards achieving global biodiversity targets remains off track.
TotalEnergies projects three global energy pathways to 2060, warns of climate risks
TotalEnergies has outlined three possible pathways for the evolution of the global energy system through 2060, warning that current energy transition efforts remain insufficient to keep global warming below 2°C. The scenarios, contained in the eighth edition of the company’s TotalEnergies Energy Outlook 2026, examine how government climate ambitions, geopolitical developments, technological advances and investment decisions could shape the world’s energy future.
Powering Nigeria’s renewable energy future through local industry, skills, investment
Nigeria’s renewable energy transition presents an opportunity that extends far beyond providing electricity to homes, businesses and communities. It offers a pathway for industrial development, technology transfer, skilled employment, enterprise growth and economic diversification. Yet, as solar installations expand across the country, a fundamental question remains: how much of the economic value generated by Nigeria’s renewable energy investments is actually retained within Nigeria?
Milovice Reserve emerges as one of Europe’s richest moth habitats
An innovative biodiversity monitoring project has identified the former Milovice military training area, outside Prague in the Czech Republic, as one of Europe’s richest habitats for moths, with preliminary findings also revealing considerable bird diversity.
Affordable energy critical to Nigeria’s climate, economy – Presidency
Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Mr. Yusuf Kelani, says expanding access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is critical to Nigeria’s climate ambitions, economic development and national resilience. Kelani said this in Abuja on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at a Solar Policy Roundtable themed: “Power, Access: Building Capacity for Affordable, Reliable Solar for Every Nigerian”.
GCF approves record $1.97bn climate finance package, reappoints Mafalda Duarte
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a record $1.97 billion in new climate financing for 21 projects, accredited 16 new partner institutions and adopted major policy reforms ahead of its third replenishment cycle, GCF-3. The approvals, made at the Fund’s 46th Board meeting (B.46) held at its headquarters in Songdo, South Korea, from October 26 to 29, 2026, represent the largest amount of climate finance approved at a single Board meeting.
Nigeria’s Orekha emerges secretary of Africa regional climate action network
Nigeria‘s Prince Israel Orekha has emerged as Secretary of the Climate Action Network West and Central Africa (CANWCA), following the election of a new board to lead the regional network for three years. According to a statement, the election was held during the network’s General Assembly on Friday, October 30, 2026. Executive Secretary of Connected Advocacy, Mr. Israel Orekha The new board’s tenure will run from November 2026 to November 2029.
Climate diplomacy meets frontline reality: AGN opens COP31 strategy session amid urgent El Niño warnings
As the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) opens a crucial two-day strategy meeting in Antalya, Türkiye, to prepare for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), the urgency of their negotiations is underscored by alarming real-world climate advisories emerging across the African continent.
IEA warns of growing wildfire threat to global electricity grids
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that increasing wildfire risks pose a growing threat to electricity infrastructure worldwide, calling for stronger investments, improved regulatory frameworks and enhanced resilience measures to protect power grids. The agency said wildfires were increasingly disrupting electricity supplies, damaging power infrastructure and, in some cases, being triggered by faults involving electricity networks.
Ogun strengthens climate-smart agriculture to boost food security
The Ogun State Government said it has strengthened farmers’ capacity through mechanisation, financial support, improved market access, and climate-smart agricultural practices to boost food security. Dr. Angel Adelaja-Kuye, the Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Agriculture and Food Security, made this known to newsmen on Friday, October 30, in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Oando reports ₦159.7bn operating profit as production rises 14% in 9M 2026
Oando PLC, Africa’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange, has published its unaudited results for the nine months ended 30 September 2026. The Group recorded a 9% increase in revenue to ₦2.78 trillion, reflecting higher crude oil liftings, increased gas and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) sale volumes, and improved average realised prices.
Reactions as UN biodiversity talks conclude, deliver some progress after delays
Governments have reached agreement at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) after negotiations ran into overtime, but the outcomes have raised fresh concerns over whether the world is moving fast enough to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. The summit also saw Quito, Ecuador, selected to host the next UN Biodiversity Conference (COP18) in 2028.
UN Biodiversity Conference charts Yerevan Pathway to accelerate global action for nature
The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference concluded on Saturday, October 31, 2026, adopting a full range of decisions that advance the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) across scientific, technical and implementation-related topics. One major outcome was the Yerevan Pathway, a negotiated response to the first review of collective progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
Stakeholders to discuss sustainable housing, innovative building at PEWAN’s forum
Stakeholders in the built environment sector are set to discuss sustainable housing, facility management and innovative building materials at the Property and Environment Writers’ Association of Nigeria (PEWAN)’ s 2026 Annual Lecture.
Panama consolidates national roadmap for carbon market development
Panama has consolidated a national roadmap for carbon markets, bringing years of technical groundwork, private sector engagement and public dialogue into a single pathway for market-based climate action. The milestone comes as countries prepare for COP31 in Türkiye, where cooperation on carbon markets under the Paris Agreement will again be on the agenda. Participants at a national consultation in Panama. Photo credit: UN Climate Change Getting here took time.
UN report seeks investment in ocean technologies to tackle climate change
A new United Nations report has called for increased investment in ocean observation, data infrastructure and scientific modelling to strengthen understanding of the ocean’s carbon system and protect its role in regulating global climate. The 2026 Climate Technology Progress Report, released by the UN, warns that climate change is already affecting the ocean’s capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide, potentially weakening one of the planet’s most important natural climate regulators.
UK, Nigeria mobilise private investment for 154MW small hydropower projects
The United Kingdom and Nigerian government partners are stepping up efforts to mobilise private investment into small hydropower. Policymakers, financiers and project developers met in Abuja to advance three pilot projects aimed at improving electricity access and supporting economic growth.
NUPRC deploys digital platform to drive 60% methane emissions reduction target by 2035
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has strengthened its drive to achieve Nigeria’s 60 per cent methane emissions reduction target by 2035 through the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Emission Tracker (NOGIET). The NOGIET, a technology-driven platform designed to improve methane monitoring, reporting and regulatory enforcement, was formally handed over to Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, at its headquarters in Abuja.
Lagos warns residents of extreme heat, urges precautionary measures
The Lagos State Government has urged residents to take precautionary measures against possible extreme heat and associated health risks. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the advisory in a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Lagos.
Kula boat tragedy: HOMEF blames oil extraction model for community suffering
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has condemned the circumstances surrounding the October 20, 2026, boat tragedy in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, describing it as a reflection of the human cost of Nigeria’s petroleum extraction activities.
Experts call for stronger fact-checking to curb science misinformation
Experts in science communication, biotechnology and biosafety have called for stronger verification of scientific claims, transparent communication of research findings and greater community engagement to curb misinformation and build public trust in science. They made the call at the third webinar in the Truth Under the Microscope series, themed “Checking Claims and Clarifying Science for Various Audiences”, held on August 20, 2026.
OceanLove Awards attract record 487 ocean innovation entries from 91 countries
The third edition of the OceanLove Innovation Awards has attracted a record 487 applications from 91 countries, with African innovators accounting for half of the submissions, highlighting growing grassroots efforts to address threats to marine ecosystems. The applications, received between April 1 and August 31, 2026, represent an almost 90 per cent increase over the 2025 edition and nearly six times the number recorded in 2024.
Adapting, not altering: Why Nigeria should review its African Charter Act
Last year, a corporate defendant in the English courts made an argument that should give Nigerian policymakers pause. In Alame & Ors v Shell Plc & Anor (2025) EWHC 1539 (KB), the Bille and Ogale Communities case, Shell’s lawyers argued that the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as domesticated in Nigeria, imposed obligations principally on the State and did not provide a clear basis for claims against private corporate entities.
IPCC resumes 65th Session, invites experts to review Draft Methodology Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will resume its Sixty-Fifth Session (IPCC-65) from December 1 to 3, 2026. The meeting will be held virtually. At the resumed session, the IPCC member governments will primarily consider two remaining agenda items: the Work Plan for the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) and the IPCC Trust Fund Programme and Budget.
Seven candidates jostle for WHO Director-General position
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced seven candidates proposed by Member States for the position of its next Director-General, who will assume office on August 16, 2027. The candidates are Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, Dr. María P. Neira, Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Dr. Li Song and Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan.
Stakeholders urge Lagos to implement Island Model City Plan
Stakeholders have called on the Lagos State Government to take practical steps to implement the Lagos Island Model City Plan to address infrastructure challenges. The stakeholders also said that the implementation would help to protect the area’s historical and architectural heritage.
MIKTA countries seek Nigeria’s support for climate finance reform ahead of COP31
Five countries, comprising Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Türkiye and Australia, have sought Nigeria’s support to make climate finance more accessible, predictable and effective. The countries under the aegis of MIKTA, coined from the first letter of their names, made this known at their envoys’ meeting hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Abuja.
Coalition urges Lagos Assembly to ban GMOs, citing environmental, health concerns
A coalition of scientists, farmers, environmentalists, food sovereignty advocates, nutritionists, women and youth groups has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs), citing concerns over biodiversity, public health, farmers’ rights and food sovereignty.
NNPC to resume oil exploration in Borno
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has expressed readiness to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in Borno State, following discussions with Gov. Babagana Zulum on the state’s energy development. The commitment was made on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when Zulum received a delegation of the company’s top management, led by its Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Niger makes Africa Prize history as local engineer wins £50,000 for medical innovation
Nigerien innovator, Mamane Kabirou Ousseini, has been named the winner of the 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, Africa’s biggest engineering prize.
COP17: African environment ministers unite to tackle eco-crisis
African environment ministers have strengthened cooperation, through regional coalitions and harmonised strategies, to address ecological challenges in the continent. Malam Balarabe Lawal, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, said this in an interview on the heels of a high -kevel consultation on the Guinean Forest Biome.
Oil spill: Delta assembly directs immediate action, cleanup in Uzere community
The Delta House of Assembly has demanded urgent government intervention and cleanup of an oil spill in Uzere Community, Isoko South Local Government Area. The assembly also urged relevant agencies to compel the responsible oil companies to assess, contain and clean up areas affected by the spill. Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr. Dennis Guwor The resolutions followed a motion moved by Mr Ferguson Onwo (Isoko South II), during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor.
African institutions call for data, funding to achieve global biodiversity targets
African regional institutions have called for increased investment in reliable biodiversity data, technical expertise, institutional capacity and sustainable financing to enable countries across the continent to achieve global biodiversity targets.
How Nina Scheffel is using innovative technology to strengthen elephant protection
Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation friend of the month is Nina Scheffel, a PhD candidate at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Her research explores how innovative technology can help combat wildlife crime. She is also a Friend of the EPI, supporting the organisation’s initiatives through annual donations. EPI Foundation spoke to Nina about her journey into conservation, her research and the role science can play in protecting elephants.
Animal rights groups oppose India’s draft rules on laboratory experiments
Animal rights organisations and activists have called on the Indian government to withdraw proposed regulations on scientific experiments involving animals, warning that the changes could weaken oversight, increase animal suffering and expose stray and wild animals to laboratory use.
Standard Bank faces greenwashing complaint over EACOP financing
A civil society coalition has filed a formal complaint against Standard Bank with South Africa’s Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), challenging the bank’s claims of leadership in sustainable finance and climate action amid its involvement in financing the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
Group demands windfall tax as TotalEnergies reports $8.2bn quarterly profit
Environmental campaign group, 350.org, has called on the French government to impose a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies after TotalEnergies reported $8.2 billion in net income for the third quarter of 2026, representing a 124 per cent increase year-on-year. The group said the energy multinational had accumulated $19.5 billion in profits since January, nearly twice its earnings over the same period in 2025, without facing any additional tax on the exceptional gains.
Nigeria to end routine gas flaring by 2030 – NUPRC
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says Nigeria is committed to ending routine gas flaring by 2030, citing stricter penalties and efforts to commercialise flare gas. The commission’s Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stated this at the Emogas International Natural Gas-Based Industry Conference and Exhibition (EINGICE) in Abuja on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.. She was represented by Mr. Janice Anyanwu, Deputy Director, Gas Utilisation at NUPRC.
FSD Africa, UK commit $335,000 to boost investment in Nigerian women-led businesses
FSD Africa, with funding from the UK Government through the British High Commission in Nigeria, has committed $335,000 to establish the RiTA Investment Network, a platform designed to expand access to growth capital for women-led businesses in Nigeria. The investment, equivalent to approximately £247,000, will support the creation of a structured investment platform by Rising Tide Africa, a women-led, pan-African network of angel investors.
Heirs Energies highlights environmental protection, community development on World Sustainability Day
Heirs Energies has reaffirmed its commitment to responsible energy development, environmental protection, workplace safety and host community development as it commemorates World Sustainability Day. The company said its sustainability approach goes beyond oil and gas production to include improving people’s lives, creating economic opportunities, protecting the environment and delivering lasting value to host communities.
Vectar Energy lists Nigeria’s first Gold Standard Distributed Solar Programme
Vectar Energy has listed its ecoWise Distributed Solar Programme on the Gold Standard Impact Registry, opening new opportunities for distributed solar developers in Nigeria to access international carbon finance and scale up clean energy deployment. The programme, registered as GS23750, is described by the company as Nigeria’s first Gold Standard-listed initiative designed to aggregate solar installations from multiple independent projects under a common carbon crediting framework.
Group demands permanent fossil fuel levies as oil giants eye $53bn profits
Climate campaign group, 350.org, has called on governments to impose permanent levies on fossil fuel producers and taxes on windfall profits, as five major oil and gas companies are projected to earn a combined $53 billion in third-quarter profits amid rising fuel prices and worsening climate impacts.
Africa carbon markets attract $100m nature investment fund
Africa’s efforts to attract investment into carbon markets have received a boost with the announcement of a $100 million Africa Nature Impact Fund targeting early-stage nature and nature-based carbon projects, as policymakers and investors intensify efforts to develop credible carbon projects across the continent.
ECOWAS Bank commits $6bn to West Africa’s development, seeks more investment
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has committed more than $6 billion to over 330 projects across West Africa, as the regional development finance institution calls for increased mobilisation of public and private capital to accelerate economic transformation. The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, disclosed this while speaking at a High-Level Hard Talk session at the Rebranding Africa Forum (RAF) 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.
149 groups demand disclosure of $3.7bn EACOP financing
A coalition of 149 civil society organisations has demanded full disclosure of financing arrangements for the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), following revelations that African and Middle Eastern financial institutions provided or were linked to about $3.7 billion in project lending between 2025 and 2026.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Michael
Contact Michael, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack