Nigeria’s COP28 Presence: Presidency Counters Criticism, Highlights Private Sector Participation

In response to criticism over the large delegation accompanying Bola Tinubu to the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, the Presidency has issued a statement defending the presence of 1,411 Nigerian delegates. According to the President Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, only a fraction of those registered were sponsored by the Federal Government.

Ajayi explained that the majority of the delegation consisted of private sector players, including business figures, civil society organizations, and representatives from Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region, attending to advance their respective agendas.

The statement emphasized that attendance at COP summits is not indicative of government sponsorship and that individuals register independently. Ajayi stated, “It must be said also that the fact that people registered to attend a conference does not mean everyone who registered is physically present.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s significance in climate action due to its large extractive economy, Ajayi pointed out that having a substantial delegation was expected. He listed notable private sector participants such as UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu and BUA group Chairman AbdulSamad Rabiu, clarifying that their trip to Dubai was not funded by the Federal Government.

The Presidency further outlined the diverse representation, including government agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and various youth organizations. Ajayi emphasized the importance of journalists’ participation and dispelled notions of the summit being a mere “jamboree” as portrayed on social media.

In conclusion, the statement asserted that the COP summit attracts global figures who attend for various reasons, aligning with the significant role Nigeria plays in climate action.