In Brazil, Shettima Restates Nigeria’s Commitment to Lead the Way in Seeking Solutions to Climate Change

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated Nigeria’s determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.

Shettima made Nigeria’s position known during the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) convened by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with the United Nations and other global partners, in the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.

Shettima, according to a statement issued yesterday his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, joined other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit – COP30, where he delivered a speech on Nigeria’s effort in addressing climate change.

The Vice President who departed Belem, Brazil, for Abuja yesterday evening, stated that 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 President Bola 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.

Delivering the statement titled, “The Rational Soul of Nature,” he called on global partners “to recognise the economic value of nature and to channel significant finance towards protecting and restoring it through predictable, equitable, and accessible funding mechanisms.”

The vice president also took part in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, and participated in a roundtable chaired by President Lula on Climate and Nature, as well as an Amazonian Cocktail for Heads of Delegation, hosted by the President of Brazil.

On the sidelines, Shettima also held bilateral meetings focused on establishing and managing Nigeria’s participation in the carbon markets, enabling the nation to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to help meet climate goals.

Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, in an interview with journalists, gave a recap of the Vice President’s participation in COP 30.

According to her, Nigeria will use its influence to mobilize finance for the country, as well as advocate adaptation finance for African nations in order to collectively tackle the challenges of climate change.

“One thing that I know the whole world would look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa. So, we do have our influence in the regional ECOWAS and also at AU platforms to demonstrate that we are that 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.

On the passion of the Nigerian government for seeking solutions to climate change matters, El-Rufai said, “nature and climate are the very home that makes our economy thrive and also gives us the stability to live good lives. So, we are dependent on nature. 

She declared that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is concentrating on resilience and ensuring that there is long term shared value creation.

Noting that many countries are yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), El-Rufai urged them to emulate Nigeria, just as she praised Nigeria for taking the lead. 

“This COP Presidency said they are not creating anything new; rather, let world leaders’ seat and operationalize 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.