Nigeria is pivoting toward domestic financial institutions and private capital to address its $171 billion climate financing deficit, as multilateral funding sources remain insufficient. At the 2026 FITC Sustainability and ESG Conference, regulators and industry leaders emphasized that achieving Nigeria’s 2060 net-zero target requires leveraging local capital markets, green bonds, and sustainability-linked financing. Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Philip Ikeazor urged banks to integrate climate risks into lending frameworks, signaling a shift toward locally-driven sustainable investment strategies. Sterling Bank, a partner in the initiative, continues to prioritize green finance to drive economic resilience and support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.