The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and its partners hosted the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Stiell, along with his delegation, during their four-day visit to Nigeria from March 4-7, 2025.
According to a statement from the NCF, the UNFCCC has played a key role in supporting climate policy development, capacity building, and various initiatives across different countries.
This inaugural visit, which featured a series of events, provided an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s progress towards an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), with a primary goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, as well as the economic benefits of a robust climate action plan,” the statement noted.
The visit commenced in Abuja, where Stiell met with senior government officials and civil society organizations on March 4 and 5. During these meetings, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to climate action and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of solutions that benefit both local communities and the environment.
On March 6, Mr. Simon Stiell visited Lagos to attend a symposium and breakfast meeting held at the Lekki Conservation Centre, the headquarters of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). According to an NCF statement, the symposium was organized in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, and the NCF.
The foundation noted that the symposium was a key component of a larger programme, which also featured an art exhibition and discussions under the theme Intersecting Worlds of Climate Change, Mangrove, and Art. The event is set to run from March 5 to March 18, 2025.
The foundation stated that the event was organized in collaboration with the National Arts Gallery and Crimson Fusion, emphasizing the role of the creative industries in promoting climate literacy, awareness, and behavioral change.
According to the statement, the symposium brought together policymakers, corporate leaders, environmentalists, and the media to discuss Nigeria’s transition toward an economy-wide NDC 3.0.
The event focused on national climate commitments and the crucial role of the private sector in their implementation.
“It also featured a documentary on mangroves, keynote addresses, and a panel session with high-profile international and national speakers and dignitaries, reaffirming the country’s dedication to leveraging nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience,the statement added.
In his welcome remarks, the Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Joseph Onoja, underscored the importance of utilizing Nigeria’s natural resources to drive sustainable development.
