Nigeria has taken the lead in West Africa’s climate action efforts with the submission of its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The move positions the country for new global partnerships and investments as the COP30 climate summit opens in Belém, Brazil.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to unveil Nigeria’s green transition roadmap before world leaders, outlining the country’s strategy to translate climate commitments into actionable projects that attract financing and technology.
Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mrs Tenioye Majekodunmi, described the development as a major milestone, noting that Nigeria’s early submission makes it the first West African nation to do so.
“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 in an interview with journalists ahead of the summit.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Majekodunmi said recent government approvals of a National Carbon Market Framework and the operationalisation of the National Climate Change Fund have boosted investor confidence.
“These measures signal that Nigeria is open for high-integrity carbon investments delivering real mitigation and community benefits,” she added.
She explained that the Belém summit provides a unique platform for “global matchmaking,” allowing Nigeria to showcase its readiness for sustainable climate financing.
Majekodunmi also highlighted Nigeria’s intention to strengthen South–South cooperation through collaboration among the Amazon, Congo, and Guinea forest regions.
“Being in the Amazon for this summit represents a symbolic convergence of forest regions. The dialogue between Brazil, the Congo Basin, and West Africa is critical to advancing global forest protection and the Belém agenda,” she said.
Mr Nkwocha added that Nigeria’s participation at COP30 reflects 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,” he stated, reaffirming Nigeria’s target of achieving a 32 per cent 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 will deliver Nigeria’s national climate action address at the leaders’ plenary later this week.
