OPINION: A former National Assembly member in Nigeria who sponsored Climate Change Act 2021, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the adoption of a National Carbon Market Framework, the operationalisation of the Climate Change Fund, and the restoration of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to the budget line.

Climate Change Act 2021 of Nigeria, Section 5(1) sets out membership of the National Council on Climate Change. The Council is chaired by the President of Nigeria while the Vice President acts as Vice Chairman.

 Also under the Climate Change Act, 2021 (Nigeria), Section 15 (1) states that there is established Climate Change Fund to be maintained by the Council into which shall be paid sums appropriated by the National Assembly for the running of the Council

Part 5 of the Act deals with Carbon Budgets and National Climate Change Action Plan. Section 19 of it talks about carbon budget to be set for Nigeria.

In responding the development,  Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo said while late President Muhammadu Buhari signed Climate Change Act 2021 of Nigeria, President Tinubu has put a stamp of authority on it.

Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo who is now a member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission,(NEDC), said the development should gladden the heart of every Nigerian considering the fact that the 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) in Brazil is around the corner.

The politician also an advocate of local government autonomy in Nigeria said what  the President has just done will facilitate Nigeria’s participation in carbon markets, enabling the nation to unlock between $2.5billion and $3billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to help meet climate goals.

The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) disclosed that with the step taken by President Tinubu, Nigeria has been properly positioned to leverage opportunities in the global carbon market and be more active in the climate change ecosystem, something he has been advocating for over the years.

In his words: “Nigerians should be excited because they can now look forward to new investments, jobs and innovations across the nation’s energy, agriculture and industrial sectors”.

It would be recalled that Onuigbo was inducted into the first ever National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame in May 2023. He was part of five Senators/Members out of the 469 members of the 9th National Assembly to be so honoured. He was the only National Assembly member from Southern part of Nigeria to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

He was chosen in recognition of his contribution to the 9th National Assembly on the basis of qualitative impact, and value especially for his sponsorship of the Climate Change Act 2021 which is inter-generational, globally impactful, and has the capability of laying the foundation for a sustainably developed Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo was recognised as one of 30 Top Global Leaders on Climate Action by the New York-based Business Insider on 27 November, 2023. He was also recognised by the 10th House of Representatives as a Worthy Ambassador of the House on 28 November, 2023. Besides, University of Nigeria Nsuka, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka  also honoured him with Leadership Awards on Climate Change