FG Pledges Strong Commitment to Climate Action at COP28

By Iyojo Ameh

Amidst the ongoing 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to combatting the increasingly urgent challenges of climate change.

In an official statement released during the summit and signed by Mr.

Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Ambassador Tuggar emphasized the critical need for immediate global action to address the escalating climate crisis.

Highlighting Nigeria’s proactive role in leading the fight against climate change within Africa, Ambassador Tuggar referenced the country’s ambitious and practical objectives set forth in the Climate Change Act and the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

The Minister expressed pride in Nigeria’s swift translation of commitments into tangible climate actions.

Ambassador Tuggar underscored the pivotal role of collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility in combating the burgeoning climate emergency.

A key highlight of Nigeria’s commitment was unveiled during Tuggar’s address – a plan to introduce 100 electric buses next year, with ambitions to scale this initiative to 1,000 electric buses.

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader vision to spearhead the largest electric mass transit fleet across Africa, aiming not only to curb emissions but also to bolster green projects, generate employment, and industrialize critical sectors.

Emphasizing the gravity of the climate emergency, the Minister stressed the far-reaching impact on vulnerable communities and ecosystems worldwide. He urged nations to uphold the tenets of the Paris Agreement, urging transparent and ambitious climate targets while restating Nigeria’s pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 through its nationally determined contributions.

Ambassador Tuggar called upon the international community to transcend political divides and join forces in implementing immediate and impactful climate solutions. He concluded with a firm commitment to foster global cooperation, encourage innovation, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Furthermore, Ambassador Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s support for initiatives aimed at bolstering climate resilience, facilitating technology transfer, and enhancing capacity-building in developing nations. He underscored the pivotal role of financial commitments from developed countries in assisting developing nations in their transition to low-carbon economies.