President Bola Tinubu has empowered Nigeria’s Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), designating it as the country’s chief negotiator and coordinator for all climate-related matters. In a statement by the director of information in the Office of the SGF (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, the President approved a comprehensive mandate for the pioneering SPEC office, granting it sweeping authority to lead Nigeria’s climate diplomacy efforts and manage the nation’s climate action agenda.
By the President’s directive, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action shall be: “The lead negotiator on climate-related matters on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, reporting directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The lead negotiator on the carbon market and management initiatives on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a mandate to integrate the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP) into the climate action plans of Nigeria, reporting directly to the President.
The supervising interface between the Secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the NCCC Supervising Council, which is chaired by the President. Coordinator of all climate action-related activities across Federal MDAs, legislative, and subnational entities which directly impact the President’s climate action and green economic agenda with a mandate to directly engage other nations, international organizations, and non-governmental entities to build coalitions and advance global climate goals in accordance with Nigeria’s national interest. “The focal point of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s engagement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, and other related international meetings on climate-related and green economic matters.
The coordinator of activities of all relevant Federal MDAs towards successfully fulfilling Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The secretary of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, chaired by the President. The chief diplomat and lead representative of Nigeria on all climate-related engagements and negotiations while supervising the Energy Transition Office.
The focal-point authority on all non-executive activities related to the operations of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) with delegated authority to oversee the activities and operations of the NCCC secretariat for frequent reporting to the President in between meetings of the NCCC Supervisory Council.
The lead interface on engagements with CBN, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Power, Federal Ministry of Environment, and other critical Nigerian institutions concerning the administration and coordination of climate-related donor finance, renewable energy finance and green industrial growth management. Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.”
President Tinubu also approved expanding the membership of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions (P-CAGE). The committee comprises the following additional members: a representative of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; a representative of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; a representative of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas); a representative of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology, Representative, NNPCL; SA to the President on Energy Transition, Yasmin Mohammed; representative, Energy Transition Office, Mr Somkele Awa-Kalu. The committee will be inaugurated in July.
Furthermore, Mr. President has reshuffled the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) appoingting Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe as the interim DG/CEO of the NCCC, pending confirmation by the Supervisory Council.
In a statement yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said “The President has also approved the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, as the SSA to the President on Climate Finance and Stakeholder Engagement, Office of the President.
He is seconded to the NCCC Secretariat, where he will handle all matters related to Climate Finance and Stakeholder/Donor Relations. The President has also approved that Mr. Shelleng is to assume the position of Secretary of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP) and serve as a member of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, as well as the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
The President has also approved the appointment of Mr. Olamide Fagbuji, as the SSA to the President on Climate Technology and Operations, Office of the President. He is seconded to the NCCC Secretariat, where he will oversee the digitalization of a new open procurement process and cross-departmental procedural optimization initiative. The appointments take immediate effect.”
