Nigeria’s COP-28 delegation defends transparency with 422-member team in Dubai
In the wake of public concern, the Nigerian government has issued a comprehensive clarification regarding its substantial 422-member delegation to the COP-28 summit in Dubai, UAE.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, underscored the commitment to transparency amid criticisms of having the fourth-largest delegation, consisting of representatives from key government bodies.
Minister Idris, addressing the public outcry, revealed that the Federal Government-funded delegation comprises a diverse group of 422 individuals.
These include representatives from the presidency, the office of the vice president, the National Council on Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, all ministries, the National Assembly, and various federal parastatals and agencies.
The minister emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in global climate action, pointing to noteworthy achievements during the ongoing summit. Notable accomplishments include a strategic pact with Germany aimed at enhancing electricity supply, President Tinubu’s ambitious plans for the Nigeria Carbon Market and Electric Buses, and substantial contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund.
Moreover, Minister Idris highlighted Nigeria’s rich history of climate action initiatives, proudly noting that the country stands as the first in Africa with an Energy Transition Plan and a Sovereign Green Bond. He clarified that the delegation’s presence in Dubai is solely for “serious business, not a jamboree.”
The Nigerian government faced criticism for the size of its delegation, with 1,411 registered delegates from the country, raising eyebrows about the necessity of such a sizable representation.
To address this, Minister Idris provided a detailed breakdown of the delegation, revealing the distribution among key entities. Notably, the National Council on Climate Change has 32 members, the Federal Ministry of Environment has 34, all ministries account for 167 members, the presidency is represented by 67 individuals, the office of the vice president has 9 members, the National Assembly contributes 40 members, and federal parastatals and agencies make up 73 members.
This breakdown aims to shed light on the composition of the delegation, emphasizing the diverse representation and the gravity of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change on the global stage.
