By Eshiorameh Sebastian
Nigeria has positioned itself as a regional leader on climate action by submitting the first updated National Determined Contribution (NDC) from a West African nation to the United Nations.
This strategic move comes as Vice President Kashim Shettima prepares to present the country’s green transition roadmap to world leaders at the COP30 climate summit in Belรฉm, Brazil, aiming to transform its environmental commitments into concrete investment.
The Director General of Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change, Tenioye Majekodunmi, announced the submission during the conference, framing it as a pivotal moment for the country. She expressed significant optimism about the opportunities this pioneering status unlocks for Nigeria on the global stage.
“This is particularly what we call the implementation COP that we have all been waiting for here in Belem, and we are very excited that it has come,” Majekodunmi stated. “COP 30 is particularly important for us in Nigeria because of the momentum that we have gathered in the last two months leading up to the summit. First with the submission of our NDC 3.0 and us being the first West African country to submitโthis is a turning point for Nigeria.”
She outlined three key objectives for the Nigerian delegation, with a sharp focus on moving from policy documents to tangible projects. A central part of this strategy involves the recently approved National Carbon Market Framework, which is designed to attract high-integrity investments.
“One of the main things we are hoping to take away is to turn all the deliverables in our NDC 3.0 into pipeline projects, partnerships and pay-for-performance because we need to start turning from paper to projects, and COP 30 is where Nigeria would be doing this,” Majekodunmi explained.
She further emphasised the signal this new policy sends to the international community, adding, “Secondly, just a few days ago, the Nigerian government approved the National Carbon Market Framework and also moved for the operationalisation of our National Climate Change Fund.
That decision really gives investors a clear policy direction and signals that Nigeria is open for high-integrity carbon investments which deliver real mitigation and community benefits.”
The Belรฉm summit also offers a platform for crucial international collaboration. Majekodunmi highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation, particularly with other nations possessing major tropical forests.
“It is something that has never happened before. We are here in the Amazon, we are in the forest, and this collaboration with the Amazon, Congo, and Guinea region forest dialogueโbuilding on what Brazil’s forest protection initiatives have put in placeโreally just strengthens the Belem agenda,” she said.
Confirming the government’s high-level commitment, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President and spokesperson for the Vice President, stated that Nigeria’s participation demonstrates its dedication to its international climate pledges.
“For us as a country, it is not just about our participation at COP 30 in Belem, Brazil, but it shows clearly the President’s commitment to the 2016 Paris accord, to which Nigeria is a signatory, and ensuring that article 13 of that accord, which talks about climate change, is duly pursued and being implemented to the letter,” Nkwocha said.
He confirmed that Vice President Shettima would formally present the country’s strategy at the leaders’ plenary. “So, here in Belem, the Vice President of Nigeria will definitely be speaking to the spirit and body of Nigeria’s intent with particular emphasis on the country’s 3rd National Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).”
The presidential aide also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to its core targets of reducing emissions by 32% by 2035 and attaining net-zero emissions by 2060. Vice President Shettima is scheduled to join other world leaders at the summit’s opening ceremony, which is themed “Climate Action and Implementation,” with a strong focus on adaptation, forests, and climate justice.
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