Shettima Returns from Brazil, Reaffirms Nigeria’s Leadership in Africa’s Climate Action

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja from Belém, Brazil, after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).

During the high-level sessions, Nigeria reaffirmed its determination to lead Africa’s efforts in driving sustainable climate solutions and attracting climate finance for the continent.

According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, the two-day conference, hosted by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in partnership with the United Nations, took place from November 6–7 in Belém, the capital of Pará State in the Amazon region.

At the Leaders’ Climate Summit, Shettima presented Nigeria’s updated climate agenda, describing it as “a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”

He also delivered Nigeria’s country statement, “The Rational Soul of Nature,” during the high-level dialogue on “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” urging global partners to acknowledge the economic value of nature and channel predictable, equitable finance toward protecting and restoring ecosystems.

While in Brazil, the Vice President participated in several key engagements, including the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, a roundtable on Climate and Nature chaired by President Lula, and an Amazonian reception for heads of delegation.

On the sidelines of COP30, Shettima held bilateral discussions aimed at expanding Nigeria’s participation in carbon markets, a move projected to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually over the next decade to advance national climate goals.

Rukaiya El-Rufai, Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, described Nigeria’s active role in Belém as a strong demonstration of the country’s leadership on the continent.

> “The world is watching Nigeria’s leadership in Africa,” she said. “We must rally both public and private stakeholders to achieve our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make them work for us.”


El-Rufai highlighted Nigeria’s rich endowment in oil, gas, and renewable resources as strategic assets for achieving climate targets while promoting sustainable growth.

> “Nature and climate are the foundations of our economy and quality of life. Responsible management of these resources is vital for sustainability and future prosperity,” she stated.



She emphasized that the Tinubu administration remains committed to long-term value creation, resilience, and effective policy prioritization in climate and environmental governance.

While noting that many nations have yet to submit their NDCs to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), El-Rufai pointed out that Nigeria has taken early action.

> “Several countries are still pending, but Nigeria has submitted its NDCs. China and the EU only recently did so. With our Climate Change Act and carbon market framework, we’re setting the pace,” she said.

COP30, described as the “COP of Action and Implementation,” aims to accelerate the execution of national climate commitments and push for the realization of global climate finance pledges, which were revised from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion at the Baku summit.