Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja from Belém, Brazil, after leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), where he represented President Bola Tinubu and reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to spearhead climate action across Africa.
The conference, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in partnership with the United Nations and other global stakeholders, was held from November 6 to 7 in Belém, the capital of Pará State in the Brazilian Amazon.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Nigeria used the global platform to reiterate its commitment to driving climate solutions and mobilising climate finance to support sustainable growth on the continent.
At the Leaders’ Climate Summit, Shettima described Nigeria’s new climate agenda as “a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”
He also represented President Tinubu at the thematic dialogue on “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement, titled “The Rational Soul of Nature.”
Shettima called on international partners to recognise the economic value of nature and channel predictable, equitable financing towards protecting and restoring ecosystems.
The Vice President participated in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, attended a high-level roundtable chaired by President Lula, and joined an Amazonian cocktail reception for heads of delegation.
On the sidelines, he held bilateral discussions aimed at expanding Nigeria’s participation in carbon markets, a move projected to unlock $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to advance national climate goals.
Speaking to journalists after the conference, the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said Nigeria’s strong presence in Belém signalled the country’s readiness to lead the continent’s climate response.
“One thing the world will look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa,” she said.
“We must galvanise both public and private sectors to deliver on our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make them work for us.”
El-Rufai highlighted Nigeria’s wealth of natural resources, oil, gas, and renewables, as key assets for achieving its climate ambitions while ensuring sustainable development.
“Nature and climate are the very foundation of our economy and wellbeing,” she added. “Responsible use of natural resources is essential to secure the future of generations yet unborn.”
She affirmed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to building resilience, creating long-term value, and implementing sound policies in climate and environmental governance.
El-Rufai also noted that Nigeria remains ahead of many countries in submitting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“Many countries have yet to submit their NDCs, but Nigeria has, even before China and the EU,” she stated.
“We’re showing leadership through our Climate Change Act and carbon market framework.”
COP30, described as the “COP of Action and Implementation,” is expected to advance the operationalisation of NDCs and push for the fulfilment of global climate finance pledges, recently adjusted from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion.
