COP30: They Are Not Sponsored By Govt – Presidency Defends Delegation After Peter Obi’s Criticism

The Presidency has responded to the uproar over the size of the delegation sent to the COP30.

Naija News reported that former presidential candidate, Peter Obi had accused the President Bola Tinubu-led government of what he called a “stunning display of misplaced priorities” for sending a 749-member delegation to COP30.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, explained that climate negotiations cut across energy, finance, environment, transport, agriculture and security, making a narrow team disadvantageous.

Speaking to Punch, he insisted that climate talks require officials from many ministries and agencies to protect the country’s interests.

Ajayi said, “Because of the multidisciplinary and multidimensional nature of the climate subject, you will typically see government officials from different agencies who are representing the government’s interest across different subject-matter areas.

“It is so because the issues being discussed are vast and the government must be represented at every point to advance the Nigerian government’s position.”

Speaking further, Ajayi said most attendees worldwide are non-state actors, whose names are nonetheless counted under their countries of origin.

“A larger majority of attendees at COPs are usually CSOs, activists and private sector players. It is called the Conference of Parties for a reason. Participants are listed against their countries where they registered from.

“If people from Environmental Right Action are attending, for example, and I know a number of friends from climate-focused non-governmental organisations in Brazil, their attendance will be registered against Nigeria because that is their country of origin and where they registered from. Does it mean the government paid for them? They are not sponsored by the government,” he explained.

He said the same applies to prominent Nigerian business leaders who choose to attend the summit.

“If Dangote, Tony Elumelu or Kola Adesina, for example and other actors in the energy sector are attending COP, does it mean they are part of the government delegation or sponsored by the government?” he asked.

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