By Kunle Sanni –
Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) hosted a high-level delegation from the U.S. State of California in Abuja last Thursday, signaling a fresh push to deepen economic and environmental cooperation between Africa’s largest economy and the world’s fourth-largest.
Led by California Secretary of Transportation, Adetokunbo Omishakin, the 40-member delegation included state officials, business executives, and academics. Discussions centered on climate change mitigation, clean technology, industrial trade, and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s fast-growing economy.
Welcoming the group, NCCC Director-General, Dr. Salisu Dahiru Majekodunmi, described the partnership as timely. “Nigeria’s population of over 230 million represents a huge consumer base and workforce that can drive sustainable economic growth. This partnership enjoys the full support of the NCCC,” he said.
Omishakin emphasized California’s decades-long leadership on environmental issues. “We came here to explore opportunities to grow the economic potential between Nigeria and California, and to tackle the existential issue of climate change. We believe we can exchange mutually beneficial ideas to advance both our economic and environmental agendas,” he said.
Khalil S. Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), pledged the agency’s readiness to serve as a local partner for incoming U.S. investments. He highlighted NASENI’s role in supporting green initiatives through the domestication and commercialization of new technologies.
Majekodunmi outlined recent achievements of the NCCC, established in 2021 after Nigeria’s Climate Change Act came into force. These include drafting Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, submitting its first Biennial Transparency Report, and completing plans for a National Climate Change Fund.
During an interactive session, participants explored opportunities in climate-smart agriculture, plastic recycling, methane-reduction technologies, and the use of carbon credits to attract financing. Delegates praised Nigeria’s climate commitment and stressed the importance of collaboration in scaling up responses to global environmental challenges.
The California delegation featured key figures including Dilpreet Sidhu, Deputy Mayor of International Affairs for Los Angeles; representatives of the California Energy Commission, Africa-USA Chamber of Commerce & Industry, University of California, Davis; and executives from Autodesk, SynBioBeta, and MEBO.
Related
