FG Sponsored Only 422 Nigerian says information ministerDelegates to COP28 Summit

Reacting to the strong backlash against the large number of Nigerian officials attending the on-going Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the presidency officially cleared the air, yesterday, saying the federal government only funded the trip of 422 delegates drawn from ministries, agencies and the National Assembly.

The minister further explained, “The federal government has noted with interest the public conversation on the number of delegates from Nigeria attending the ongoing Climate Summit in Dubai, otherwise called COP28, and the need to provide clarity in line with a standing pledge to conduct itself with transparency and accessibility regarding public information.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the clarification in a statement, titled, “Re: Nigeria at COP28.

Idris gave a breakdown of the delegates to include 32 from National Council on Climate Change; 34 from Federal Ministry of Environment; all other ministries – 167; Presidency – 67; Office of the Vice President – nine; National Assembly – 40; and Federal Parastatals/Agencies – 73.

The minister pointed out that the overall Nigerian delegation to COP28 comprised government-sponsored (federal and state governments) and non-government-sponsored participants (from private companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), media, academia

Parties to this convention from Nigeria include government officials, representatives from the private sector, civil society, the voluntary sector, state governments, media, multilateral institutions, representatives of marginalised communities, and many others.

“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, NGOs, CSOs, media, academia, etc.).

The federal government-funded delegation is made up of a total of 422 persons, as follows: National Council on Climate Change – 32; Federal Ministry of Environment – 34; All Ministries – 167; Presidency – 67; Office of the Vice President – nine; National Assembly – 40; federal parastatals/agencies – 73.”

According to the minister, COP28 presents an array of investment and partnership opportunities for the various sectors affected by climate change.