NATC DG reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to safer environment, says Nigeria is leading in combating Climate Crisis in Africa

By: Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has stated that Nigeria’s leading roles across Africa in combating the climate crisis are deliberate efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy initiatives, and promoting reforestation.  

The DG, who reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a safer globe during the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, highlighted these actions as part of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to advancing climate resilience in Africa and beyond, while urging other nations to follow suit.  

The NTAC boss, who represented Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, at a session on climate change organized on the sidelines of the CHOGM, emphasized Nigeria’s strong commitment to combating climate change in alignment with its obligations under international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Commonwealth Blue Charter.  

While stressing the importance of tackling the climate crisis, particularly in support of vulnerable nations, including small islands and developing states like Samoa, Buba described the gathering as a call to action for nations to recommit to practices that promote a safer world.  

The NTAC DG also spotlighted the significant work undertaken by Nigerian professionals deployed under the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Scheme to support environmental conservation, renewable energy projects, and disaster management in various African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries where they currently serve.  

He added that innovative efforts, such as using banana peels to produce paints and encouraging eco-friendly practices in farming, waste treatment, and disposal by Nigerian volunteers, are not only central to achieving a safer environment and sustainable agriculture but also serve as a notable promotion of the United Nations’ South-South Cooperation ideals.  

To further reinforce his points, the former federal lawmaker stressed the need for global unity to address climate change, advocating for increased resource-sharing, including financial and technical support, for countries most affected by climate-related disasters.  

Buba also called on world leaders to strengthen partnerships between governments and the private sector to enhance climate adaptation projects. He shared Nigeria’s experience in involving private entities in clean energy development and sustainable agriculture, urging other nations to learn from these practices.  

He reiterated Nigeria’s successes in combating desertification and emphasized the country’s readiness to share its expertise with other Commonwealth nations through effective collaboration and structured knowledge-sharing initiatives.  

The high-level meeting, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Samoa, brought together leaders and representatives from Commonwealth nations to address global challenges posed by climate change while exploring collaborative solutions to the menace.  

It also provided the NTAC DG with an opportunity to network and renew essential ties with officials from governments across the Pacific region, including Vanuatu, Fiji, and other island nations that have a history of subscribing to Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps Scheme over the years.