By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria has intensified its efforts to secure the hosting rights for the 32nd Conference of Parties (COP32) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in 2027.
This follows the visit of the UNFCCC’s Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, to Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, in Abuja on Thursday.
The move positions Nigeria at the forefront of climate leadership in Africa,
Nigeria is favoured to host the biggest global climate event, which was held in Africa five years ago in 2022, when Egypt hosted the COP27 at Sharm el Sheikh peninsula.
At the start of his maiden visit to Nigeria, planned over four days, Stiell engaged in high-level discussions with Mallam Balarabe Lawal, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, and top officials of the Tinubu administration.
Coming ahead of COP30, scheduled to take place in Belem, Brazil, later this year, the visit is seen as a timely opportunity for Nigeria to reinforce its ambitions on the global stage.
Executive Director of Climate Africa Media Initiative and Centre (CAMIC), Aliu Akoshile, said the visit of UN Climate Chief is an indication that Nigeria stands a chance of becoming the fourth Africa country to host the COP.
Akoshile, who participated at the last COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, noted that hosting the COP affirms the recognition of a country’s significant contributions to global climate dialogue and action.
He, however, warned that hosting such a global summit comes with strategic planning, diligence, discipline, and effective stakeholders’ engagement, which the present leadership of the Environment Ministry is suited to provide.
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Akoshile, who is also the editor-in-chief of Africa’s foremost environmental newspaper, NatureNews, said Nigeria deserves the hosting right for COP32 in 2027, as the conference had been hosted by Morocco, Kenya and Egypt. .
Justifying the hosting right, Nigeria’s Ministry of Environment, said bringing the UN’s flagship climate conference to Nigeria would offer a range of benefits, including increased global recognition, economic opportunities, and a stronger leadership position in Africa’s climate agenda.
The ministry emphasised that hosting such a prestigious event would allow Nigeria to highlight its climate priorities, both at the continental and national levels.
The Nigerian government has been actively positioning itself as a climate leader in Africa, making substantial commitments to emissions reduction, renewable energy development, and climate resilience.
By hosting COP32, Nigeria aims to showcase its progress in implementing climate policies and attract international collaboration for further initiatives.
Moreover, the event would provide a platform to push for stronger climate financing mechanisms, particularly for African nations facing the brunt of climate change.
The push for COP32 hosting rights is also expected to bring economic and infrastructural benefits to Nigeria.
Such a large-scale global event would drive investment in infrastructure, tourism, and hospitality sectors while creating job opportunities.
More also, it would reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable development and green growth, aligning with global efforts to tackle climate change.
As the competition to host COP32 intensifies, Nigeria’s proactive engagement with the UNFCCC and other stakeholders signals its determination to secure the bid.
With the growing momentum and strategic positioning, Nigeria is making a compelling case to bring the world’s most significant climate summit to its shores in 2027.
