Climate Action: President Tinubu Showing Leadership— Rep. Onuigbo

Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing extraordinary leadership in advancing climate action in Nigeria. Onuigbo made this known during NTA’s “Good Morning Nigeria” show on Monday.

Reacting to question on Nigeria’s gains from COP28 so far, Onuigbo who is the Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions at the NEDC, said that President Tinubu is leading negotiations and bilateral meetings in order to ensure that the country strikes deals and agreements that will help the country gain grounds in low carbon industrialisation, food security, energy, etc. He stated that President Tinubu’s first action in showing how seriously he took the conference was in mandating his Ministers and other personnel to approach COP28 with seriousness and ensure they return with partnerships that will help the country grow.

The former National Lawmaker further drew attention to paragraphs 23,24,25 of President Tinubu’s Budget Presentation speech at the National Assembly where the President strongly affirmed his administration’s commitment to leverage on the opportunities of COP28 to advance Nigeria’s efforts at increased climate action.

Speaking on key landmarks so far at COP28, Onuigbo referred to the historic Loss and Damage Fund operationalisation; the commitment of countries to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 (especially the commitment of the US, China, the UAE, and the European Union) and the need for Africa to leverage on this; the enormous attention being paid to sustainable food systems and its importance for Nigeria as it aligns with President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food insecurity in the country; etc.

Listing what Nigeria has been able to achieve so far, the former Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency highlighted the launch of Nigeria’s Long Term Low Emissions Development Strategy; the President being physically present and leading bilateral conversations; Nigeria signing an agreement for accelerated action with Siemens to boost electricity generation; the President’s commitment to roll out 100 electric buses as an initial step to decarbonising the transport sector; etc.

Onuigbo who drew attention to Kenyan President, William Ruto, publicly commending President Tinubu as an example of African leaders’ willingness to take difficult decisions that will help advance climate action said that by removing petroleum subsidy and signing into law the Electricity Act 2023, President Tinubu showed the courage to decarbonise the economy and place the country on the path to sustainable development.

He called on Nigerians to rally round the President to ensure that in making plans for our growth and development, sustainability and resilience building are entrenched.

On November 27, 2023, New York-based Business Insider recognised Rep. Sam Onuigbo as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change. Business Insider’s Climate Action 30 identifies 30 of the top global activists, business leaders, academics, community leaders, and others from around the world who are working toward climate and environmental solutions.