By Abbas Nazil
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has announced the appointment of Mr. Michael Onimisi Ajibade as the inaugural Director-General of the newly established Kogi State Climate Change Agency.
The appointment, disclosed in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, reflects the Governor’s resolve to strengthen the state’s institutional response to climate change and environmental challenges.
Mr. Onimisi, who until now served as Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change, is a seasoned professional known for his deep commitment to sustainability, innovation, and practical climate solutions.
Trusted as a loyal ally and respected for his collaborative leadership style, his elevation as the pioneer head of the Agency is seen as both a reward for excellence and a call to scale up his impact.
The Climate Change Agency, chaired by Governor Ododo himself with the Deputy Governor serving as Vice Chairman, is designed to coordinate statewide strategies on climate resilience and sustainable development.
Alongside Mr. Onimisi’s appointment, other key figures were named to the Board of the Agency.
Mrs. Alabi E. Bridget, a climate change expert, will represent the Ministry of Environment, while Bello Ivaje Joseph was appointed to represent the Ministry of Finance.
Eziekel Amana Ejija will serve as representative of the Ministry of Transport, and Barrister Audu Abdulmumin Omeiza will represent the Ministry of Justice.
Civil society participation is assured with the inclusion of Comrade Hamza Aliyu as representative of NGOs.
The appointments are widely welcomed as a bold step toward fostering inter-ministerial collaboration and ensuring inclusivity in climate governance.
Stakeholders say the combination of technical expertise, legal backing, and grassroots participation signals a strong foundation for the agency’s success.
Onimisi’s leadership is expected to chart a new course for climate action in Kogi State, aligning local priorities with global best practices while ensuring that the state emerges as a front-runner in Nigeria’s climate change response.