Abuja: The Federal Government has affirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond. The Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, emphasized this commitment during an interview with newsmen in Bel©m, Brazil.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, El-Rufai provided a summary of Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s participation in the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) in Brazil. She highlighted Nigeria’s plan to mobilize finance for climate initiatives and to advocate for adaptation finance for African nations to collectively tackle climate change challenges.
El-Rufai underscored Nigeria’s leadership role within regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union, stressing the importance of galvanizing public and private stakeholders to implement National Determined Contributions (NDCs). She highlighted Nigeria’s natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and renewables, as crucial assets in mitigating climate change effects.
El-Rufai also stressed the significance of sustainable resource consumption to ensure the stability of livelihoods and economies. She noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritizes resilience and long-term value creation, with a focus on leading necessary climate policies.
Furthermore, El-Rufai pointed out that many countries have yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), urging them to follow Nigeria’s example. She praised Nigeria for its leadership, citing the country’s Climate Change Act and carbon market framework.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Tinubu in Brazil. During COP 30, convened by Brazil’s President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva, Shettima engaged with global leaders and delivered a speech highlighting Nigeria’s climate agenda as a national commitment to preserving the planet for future generations.