President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a leadership change at the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). This was announced on June 9 in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale.
To actualize Nigeria’s green industrial vision, boost investor confidence, and unlock sustainable economic value through various climate finance instruments, President Tinubu has appointed Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe as the interim Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the NCCC, pending confirmation by the NCCC Supervisory Council.
Dr Maduekwe, 39, holds a Bachelor of Law degree, a Master’s in Environmental Law & Policy from the University of Dundee (UK), and a Doctorate in Law from the University of Hull (UK). She will also serve as the Co-Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Committee on the National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP).
With over 15 years of experience in climate policy development and project implementation, she previously served as Nigeria’s National Coordinator for Climate Parliament and as the legal adviser to the NCCC Director-General.
Additionally, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, 40, has been appointed the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement and seconded to the NCCC Secretariat. He will handle Climate Finance & Stakeholder/Donor Relations and assume the role of Secretary of the NCMAP. Mr Shelleng, who holds an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, previously held leadership roles in multiple financial institutions and was Head of Business Development for the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company PLC (NMRC).
Meanwhile, Mr Olamide Fagbuji, 44, has been appointed the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations and seconded to the NCCC Secretariat. He will oversee digitalising a new open procurement process and cross-departmental procedural optimization initiative.
Mr Fagbuji is a policy analyst and computer scientist who previously served as Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters and, most recently, as the Technical Adviser to the NCCC Director-General on Policy Research and Strategy.
The President has directed that these appointments take immediate effect. He expects the new appointees to apply their expertise and discipline to advance the nation’s aspirations for green industrial development and climate action, fostering sustainable growth and national prosperity.