President Bola Tinubu has sacked Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe as Director-General of the Nigeria Climate Change Council (NCCC), appointing Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi in her place.
The announcement came Wednesday through presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi as the new Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC),” he said.
Majekodunmi, a climate finance expert and environmental lawyer, previously served as the Council’s Financial Adviser. She brings over 17 years of experience in renewable energy, carbon markets, and climate governance.
Maduekwe, from Ohafia, Abia State, was only appointed to the post on June 9, 2024, by the same President Tinubu.
Allegations and Internal Tensions
Maduekwe’s removal follows accusations that she blocked key stakeholders from attending the UNFCCC’s 62nd session in Bonn, Germany. Delegates from ministries and agencies were reportedly denied accreditation, causing widespread frustration.
One UN staffer asked anonymously, “Does this woman work for the Nigerian government or for herself?”
A senior NCCC official said, “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.”
Her tenure was marked by friction with the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), a parallel office created to lead Nigeria’s climate diplomacy.
The office was supposed to be headed by Ajuri Ngelale, who later on September 7, 2024, suddenly resigned from his appointment.
The overlapping mandates led to confusion and internal conflict. Ajuri Ngelale, the first SPEC appointee, resigned amid allegations of internal wrangling.
Ngelale is not the only one to have suddenly resigned from the government of Tinubu.
COP Controversy and Diplomatic Fallout
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Maduekwe clashed with global negotiators over the proposed $300 billion National Climate Quantum Goals (NCQG). She declared, “We cannot accept this… The figure of $300 billion is unattainable. We must confront the truth.”
Her bold stance drew mixed reactions. Some praised her for defending Nigeria’s interests, while others criticised her for being combative in a diplomatic setting.
She reportedly begged to keep her job after the Baku incident reached the Presidency. “She was literally on her knees,” said a government insider.
With her exit, Nigeria’s delegation to COP30 in Belem, Brazil, will now be led by Majekodunmi.
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