– Nigeria has taken the lead in West Africa’s climate action agenda with the submission of its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), positioning the country for new global partnerships and investments at the ongoing COP30 summit.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to unveil Nigeria’s green transition roadmap before world leaders, detailing strategies to translate climate commitments into actionable projects that attract financing and technology.

Mrs. Tenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), hailed Nigeria’s early submission of NDC 3.0 as a historic milestone, making the country the first in West Africa to submit the updated climate plan and a continental frontrunner in climate ambition and readiness.

“This is the implementation COP we’ve all been waiting for. For Nigeria, the submission of our NDC 3.0 marks a turning point. It’s time to move from paper to projects,” Majekodunmi said, highlighting the Federal Government’s recent approval of a National Carbon Market Framework and the operationalisation of the National Climate Change Fund, which she said will enhance investor confidence and signal that Nigeria is open for high-integrity carbon investments delivering real mitigation and community benefits.

COP30 provides a platform for Nigeria to showcase its readiness for sustainable climate financing and strengthen South–South cooperation, particularly among the Amazon, Congo, and Guinea forest regions. “Being in the Amazon for this summit represents a symbolic convergence of forest regions. Dialogue between Brazil, the Congo Basin, and West Africa is critical to advancing global forest protection and the Belem agenda,” Majekodunmi noted.

Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), emphasized that Nigeria’s participation underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action.

“For Nigeria, it’s not just about attendance; it’s about demonstrating leadership and implementing Article 13 of the Paris Accord on transparency and climate responsibility,” Nkwocha stated. He added that Nigeria remains committed to achieving a 32% reduction in emissions by 2035.

Vice President Shettima is expected to join global leaders, development partners, and investors in high-level sessions on “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans” and deliver Nigeria’s national climate action address at the leaders’ plenary later this week.