Reps target $1bn climate funding in Dubai summit

The Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, has said that the House Committee’s goal at the upcoming 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, UAE, is to secure a $1 billion funding pledge for Nigeria.

Ugbor said this at the one-day National Stakeholders Pre-COP28 Workshop organised by Oxfam Nigeria in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

A spokesman for Oxfam, Mr. Maxwell Osarenkhoe, said in a statement that the lawmaker also said that Nigeria will be pursuing the activation of the $100 billion in loss and damage funding and leading enhanced and fair climate action and finance distribution at COP 28.

“Nigeria’s goal at COP28 would be to obtain sustainable funding mechanisms to support climate adaptation initiatives and ensure their effective implementation, while also improving the capacity and technical skills of stakeholders involved in climate adaptation to efficiently address climate challenges,” he said.

The Climate Justice Lead for Nigeria in Oxfam, Kenneth Akpan, said it is time for climate action, promising that his organisation will continue to provide support to Nigeria.

He said there is a need for Nigeria to present a united front at COP 28 to enable it to secure climate funding.

Also speaking, the NCCC Director General, Dr. Dahiru Salisu, said the workshop is appropriate as Nigeria needs to present a united front at the conference and strive to ensure that it secures funding from the partner.