The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that the Federal Government funded 422 individuals attending the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, UAE.
This statement follows controversy surrounding the reported 1,411 registered Nigerian delegates at the summit, drawing criticism on social media for insensitivity amid economic challenges post the mid-2023 removal of petrol subsidy.
Opposition political parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) had called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to release the number of government-sponsored delegates to the Dubai summit.
Addressing the concerns, the minister emphasized that Nigeria’s representation aligns with its status as Africa’s leading sovereign voice and climate action participant.
The delegation comprises government officials, private sector representatives, civil society members, voluntary sector participants, state governments, media, multilateral institutions, and representatives of marginalized communities.
The government-funded delegation of 422 individuals includes representatives from the National Council on Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, various ministries, presidency, office of the vice president, national assembly, and federal parastatals/agencies.
The statement, titled ‘Re: Nigeria At Cop-28’ noted, “It is imperative to point out that the overall Nigerian delegation to COP28 comprises government-sponsored (Federal and State Governments) and non-government-sponsored participants (from private companies to NGOs, CSOs, Media, academia, etc).
“The Federal Government-funded delegation is made up of a total of 422 persons: National Council on Climate Change (32); Federal Ministry of Environment (34); All Ministries (167); Presidency (67); Office of the Vice President (9); National Assembly (40); and Federal Parastatals/Agencies (73).
“As the biggest economy and most populous country in Africa, with a substantial extractive economy and extensive vulnerability to climate change, Nigeria has a significant stake in climate action, and our active and robust participation at COP is therefore not unwarranted.”
The minister assured the public that Nigeria’s active participation in COP28 is justified as the continent’s largest economy and most populous country.
He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu and other officials are in Dubai for serious business, dismissing notions of it being a jamboree.
Ada Peter
