Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after leading Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, where the country reaffirmed its global climate leadership and commitment to a green transition.

The Vice President joined other world leaders, development partners, and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit, hosted by the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

During the summit, VP Shettima represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and delivered Nigeria’s statement titled “The Rational Soul of Nature,” calling on world leaders to recognize the economic value of nature and to channel significant finance towards protecting and restoring it through predictable, equitable, and accessible funding mechanisms.”

He further emphasized that Nigeria’s renewed climate agenda represents “not just an aspiration, but a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”

On the sidelines of the summit, Senator Shettima held bilateral meetings on carbon market cooperation, aimed at unlocking between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance for Nigeria over the next decade to support the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has affirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.

Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, gave a recap of the Vice President's participation in COP 30 held Belem, Brazil.

She said Nigeria will use its influence to mobilize finance for the country, as well as advocate the adaptation finance for African nations in order to collectively tackle the challenges of climate change.