Abuja: As the world grapples with a staggering $1 trillion shortfall in climate finance—falling from the pledged $1.3 trillion to just $300 billion—Nigeria has reaffirmed its resolve to lead Africa’s response to climate change.
Speaking from COP30 in Belém, Brazil, presidential adviser Rukaiya El-Rufai emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to mobilising adaptation finance and leveraging its regional influence to push for implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) across the continent.
El-Rufai, who provided a recap of the Vice President Kashim Shettima’s participation in COP 30 in Brazil, stated that Nigeria will utilise its influence to mobilise finance for the country.
She also stated that Nigeria would advocate for adaptation finance for African nations to address the challenges of climate change collectively.
“One thing that I know the whole world would look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa. We do have our influence in the regional ECOWAS and also at the AU platforms to demonstrate that we are the big brother.
“So, we must galvanise all stakeholders, both in public and private sectors, to make sure we implement our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make it work for us,” she said.
The presidential aide added that Nigeria’s natural resources will also play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
” The natural capital we have – don’t forget that we are an oil-producing nation and endowed with vast natural gas resources and renewables.
“We will also continue to use that to implement the NDCs in a way that works for us and addresses the sustainable development challenges that we are facing,” El-Rufai added.
She stated that nature and climate are the very home that makes the Nigerian economy thrive and also” gives us the stability to live good lives. So, we are dependent on nature.
“That is why how you consume and use the natural resources is essential to ensuring the sustainability of livelihoods, economies and everything.
” So, this is why we need to live our lives responsibly and also leave a better future for generations to come.
“The government led by President Bola Tinubu is concentrating on resilience and ensuring that there is long-term shared value creation.
“The government will continue to prioritise climate and nature as well as ensuring that we lead on the necessary climate policies,” she added.
She said that many countries were yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
El-Rufai, therefore, urged them to emulate Nigeria and praised Nigeria for taking the lead.
“There are many countries that haven’t submitted their NDCs yet, but Nigeria has. China and the EU just submitted.
” So, you can see we are leading because we also have our Climate Change Act as well as our carbon market framework in place, and that is why the theme for COP 30 is apt: COP of Action and Implementation.
” This COP Presidency said they are not creating anything new; instead, let world leaders sit and operationalise NDCs.
” And make sure all those climate-related finance pledges made at Baku that were brought down from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion come to a reality,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Shettima has departed Belém, Brazil, for Abuja after a successful diplomatic engagement in the South American country.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30).
The conference was convened by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with the United Nations and other global partners.
During the international engagement, VP Shettima joined other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit – COP30.
He delivered a speech on Nigeria’s effort in addressing climate change, saying the nation’s renewed climate agenda represents “not just an aspiration, but a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”
Shettima also represented Tinubu at a high-level thematic session titled “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” on the margins of COP 30, where he delivered Nigeria’s bold statement.
