President Bola Tinubu has greenlit a significant reshuffle in Nigeria’s climate change strategy, appointing Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). The move, announced by the Presidency on Sunday, underscores Tinubu’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s green industrial agenda, boosting investor confidence, and harnessing sustainable economic value through climate finance mechanisms.
Dr. Maduekwe, 39, brings over 15 years of national and international expertise in climate policy development and project implementation to her new role. Holding advanced degrees in Environmental Law & Policy, she has previously served as Nigeria National Coordinator for Climate Parliament, a global network advocating legislative solutions to the climate crisis.
In tandem with Maduekwe’s appointment, President Tinubu approved the elevation of Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, 40, as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement. Shelleng, armed with a Master’s in Business Administration, is tasked with spearheading climate finance initiatives and bolstering stakeholder relations within the NCCC.
Additionally, Mr. Olamide Fagbuji, 44, assumes the role of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations. As a policy analyst and computer scientist, Fagbuji will oversee the digital transformation of procurement processes and operational optimization within the NCCC.
President Tinubu’s directive also established the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), charged with spearheading Nigeria’s negotiations on climate-related matters on the global stage. Led by a seasoned team and reporting directly to the President, SPEC will coordinate Nigeria’s engagements with international bodies like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and oversee the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Furthermore, the President expanded the membership of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions (P-CAGE) to include representatives from key ministries and agencies. This move reflects Tinubu’s commitment to mobilizing diverse stakeholders in advancing Nigeria’s green industrial development.
With these appointments and initiatives, President Tinubu aims to harness Nigeria’s potential for sustainable growth, prosperity, and climate action, signalling a bold step towards a greener, more resilient future for the nation.
