By David Arome
LONDON, United Kingdom – Former Nigerian lawmaker and climate advocate Hon. Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo has strengthened Nigeria’s voice on the global climate stage after leading high-level conversations on climate politics, convening a major investment summit for Nigeria, and being inaugurated as the new President of GLOBE Legislators during the 2026 London Climate Action Week.
Onuigbo, the former member of the House of Representatives who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency and sponsored Nigeria’s landmark Climate Change Bill, described the engagements as a significant step toward deepening climate action, attracting green investments, and strengthening global collaboration.
On Tuesday, June 23, he joined world-renowned climate leaders as a panelist at the State of Climate Politics event organised by E3G at London’s Mansion House.
Speaking on the theme, “Reframing Climate Action in the Face of Divided Politics,” Onuigbo shared lessons from Nigeria’s journey in building political consensus that led to the passage of the Climate Change Act, a legislation widely regarded as a milestone in the country’s climate governance.
The panel featured prominent voices in global climate policy, including Agnes Dasewicz, Chief Investment Officer of the Global Energy Alliance; Jennie King of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and the Center for Climate and Security; Barbara Buffaloe, Mayor of Columbia, Missouri, United States; Joanne Yawitch, Head of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit; and Kate Hampton, Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.
Reflecting on the discussions, Onuigbo stressed that global political divisions should not derail climate action.
“At a time when multilateralism is under pressure because of current geopolitical realities, it is important to focus on what truly matters and continue building consensus for meaningful climate action,” he said.
Driving Climate Investments into Nigeria
Later that day, Onuigbo convened the Nigeria Climate Investment Summit (NCIS) in partnership with GLOBE Legislators and SOStainability, a flagship event of the London Climate Action Week aimed at unlocking climate finance and expanding green investments in Nigeria.
The summit brought together senior government officials, development partners, investors, and climate leaders to explore opportunities for accelerating Nigeria’s low-carbon development.
Among the dignitaries were the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Enugu State Government represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu; former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Lang; Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All; Pablo Vieira, Global Director of the NDC Partnership; and the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission, represented by Chief Frank Owhor, among other stakeholders.
According to Onuigbo, the summit provided an important platform to showcase Nigeria’s growing climate investment opportunities and ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to attract sustainable investments.
He noted that although the summit marked only the beginning of broader engagements, concrete plans were already underway to strengthen support for climate innovators, entrepreneurs, and green businesses across Nigeria.
One of the major highlights of the event was Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s announcement that Lagos Climate Action Week will be launched in partnership with GLOBE Legislators, SOStainability, and the organisers of the London Climate Action Week.
A New Chapter in Global Climate Leadership
The momentum continued on Wednesday, June 24, when Onuigbo was formally inaugurated as the President of GLOBE Legislators at the UK Parliament, becoming one of the few Nigerians to lead the international network of lawmakers dedicated to advancing climate and environmental legislation.
The inauguration also marked GLOBE’s 35th anniversary and featured goodwill messages from global leaders, including the organisation’s co-founder and former United States Vice President Al Gore; Tokyo Governor and former GLOBE Japan President Yuriko Koike; Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction; Nick Mabey, Founder and Chair of London Climate Action Week and CEO of E3G; and Pablo Vieira, Head of the NDC Partnership.
Describing the inauguration as both an honour and a responsibility, Onuigbo pledged to build on GLOBE’s legacy of promoting climate legislation and international cooperation.
“The charge is simple—we will not let this light dim,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to former UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Rt. Hon. Graham Stuart MP, for hosting the event, while thanking his wife, Pastor Dame Princess Chinyere Onuigbo, family members, colleagues, Members of Parliament from across the world, and development partners for their support.
With Nigeria increasingly positioning itself as a key player in global climate governance, Onuigbo’s emergence as President of GLOBE Legislators and the successful convening of the Nigeria Climate Investment Summit signal a renewed push to mobilise climate finance, strengthen legislative action, and connect the country’s climate ambitions with global opportunities.
