President Bola Tinubu has significantly empowered Nigeria’s Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), designating it as the country’s chief negotiator and coordinator for all climate-related matters.

It was reported that President Tinubu recently appointed his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.

A statement by the director of information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, on Sunday, said the President approved a comprehensive mandate for the pioneering SPEC office, granting it sweeping authority to lead Nigeria’s climate diplomacy efforts and manage the nation’s climate action agenda.

By the President’s directive, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action shall be: “The lead negotiator on climate-related matters on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, reporting directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The lead negotiator on carbon market and management initiatives on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a mandate to integrate the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP) into the climate action plans of the Federal Government of Nigeria, reporting directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The supervising interface between the Secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the NCCC Supervising Council, which is chaired by the President.

“Coordinator of all climate action-related activities across Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, legislative, and subnational entities which directly impact the President’s climate action and green economic agenda with a mandate to directly engage other nations, international organizations, and non-governmental entities to build coalitions and advance global climate goals in accordance with Nigeria’s national interest.

“The coordinator of activities of all relevant Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies towards the successful fulfilment of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

“The secretary of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, which is chaired by the President.