Tinubu sacks climate council DG Madueke, appoints Majekodunmi

Posted by admin Raw Politics, Headlines, Latest Politics Saturday, August 2nd, 2025

Nkiruka Maduekwe

President Bola Tinubu has removed Nkiruka Madueke as Director General of the Nigeria Climate Change Council (NCCC), appointing climate finance specialist Omotenioye Majekodunmi as her replacement.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who said the new appointment aligns with the administration’s climate priorities. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi as the new Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC),” he said.

Mrs Majekodunmi, who previously served as the Council’s Financial Adviser, is expected to bring experience in renewable energy, carbon markets, and climate governance to her new role.

Although no official reason was given for the dismissal, Ms Madueke’s removal comes amid allegations from climate sector stakeholders that she excluded key groups from participating in the 62nd United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) session held in Bonn, Germany, in June.

Omotenioye Majekodunmi

A senior official within the NCCC, speaking anonymously, said the decision came as a surprise. “She was present in the office today. I believe she was unaware that she would be dismissed. This must come as a significant shock to her. However, since our return from the last Conference of the Parties (COP), there have been ongoing speculations concerning her potential removal,” the official said.

Ms Madueke was appointed in June 2024, succeeding Salisu Dahiru, who was also removed before completing his term. Her tenure coincided with a period of institutional realignment following the establishment of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), which was given lead responsibility over several climate-related functions, including international negotiations and carbon market oversight.

The overlapping mandates between the SPEC office and the NCCC leadership had prompted criticism and calls for clarity. Ajuri Ngelale, who was appointed to the SPEC role, later resigned amid internal disagreements and allegations of inefficiency.

Ms Madueke had taken a visible stance on Nigeria’s climate diplomacy. At the closing session of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, she challenged the global agreement reached, describing the proposed \$300 billion target under the National Climate Quantum Goals (NCQG) as “unattainable.” “We cannot accept this. You expect us to establish ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The National Climate Quantum Goals (NCQG) were intended to facilitate our attainment of realistic financial objectives. The figure of \$300 billion is unattainable. We must confront the truth,” she said.

With her removal, Ms Madueke will no longer lead Nigeria’s delegation to COP30 later this year in Belem, Brazil.

GUARDIAN