By Abdullahi Lukman
As the world prepares for the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) of the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC) in November, climate activists have expressed concerns over Nigeria’s readiness for the global summit.
The concerns were sequel to the recent leadership change at the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Nigeria’s highest governing body on climate policy, action, and international engagements.
NatureNews notes that President Bola Tinubu recently sacked Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, who had barely served one year as Director-General of NCCC.
Maduekwe was replaced by Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, a renowned climate finance expert and environmental lawyer who until her appointment was consulting tor the Council.
Coming barely three months before the global climate summit slated for Brazil, the Council’s leadership change has stirred fears among climate advocates that Nigeria’s climate policy efforts risk disruption at a critical moment.
David Terungwa, a prominent Nigerian climate campaigner, warned that the late-stage leadership change could hinder coordination and preparation for COP30.
“We are barely three months away from COP, and bringing someone new now doesn’t reflect seriousness,” Terungwa said, recalling the delays caused by Maduekwe’s own late appointment last year.
While some, like activist Olumide Idowu, recognize that fresh leadership might inject new energy, they emphasize that the frequent reshuffling threatens policy continuity.
“This instability risks undermining Nigeria’s ability to effectively engage at COP30 and could jeopardize its ambitions to host COP32 in 2027,” Idowu noted.
The NCCC, established under Nigeria’s 2021 Climate Change Act, is pivotal in shaping the country’s national climate strategy, overseeing implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and representing the country in global climate negotiations.
However, there is apprehension that the council’s upcoming task of submitting updated NDCs by September faces significant hurdles due to the leadership transition.
Salisu Dahiru, the NCCC’s first director-general, criticized the frequent leadership changes as a disregard for the statutory four-year term stipulated by the Climate Change Act. Dahiru, removed from his post in 2024 after President Tinubu’s administration began, pointed to the creation of a presidential climate committee that some see as sidelining the NCCC.
Despite Nigeria’s efforts to raise its profile in international climate diplomacy, including the recent bid to host COP32, observers argue that repeated leadership upheavals erode the country’s institutional credibility.
“This kind of instability weakens Nigeria’s standing on the global climate stage,” said Idowu.
Majekodunmi was expected to outline her vision or strategy for implementing the huge mandate inherent in the act that set up the NCCC.
Climate advocates stress that with her sound expertise and rich experience in climate finance consulting, Mrs Majekodunmi is well positioned to scale up Nigeria’s voice in the global negotiation on climate change.