President Bola Tinubu on July 31, 2025, appointed Omotenioye Majekodunmi as the new Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), a decision announced through a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga at 2:00 PM WAT. 

This appointment marks a significant shift, with Majekodunmi succeeding Dr. Nkiruka Madueke, who served as the council’s pioneer head since her appointment in June 2024. The NCCC, established under the Climate Change Act of 2021 and inaugurated on September 28, 2022, serves as Nigeria’s primary policy body for coordinating climate action across government, private sector, and civil society, reporting directly to the President. 

Majekodunmi, a climate finance expert and environmental lawyer with over 17 years of experience, brings a robust background, having previously served as the NCCC’s Financial Adviser and played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s climate policies and international engagements.

The Presidency highlighted Majekodunmi’s expertise in renewable energy, carbon markets, and climate governance, gained through collaborations with global and national institutions, including her work as a consultant with the Lagos Waste Management Authority on waste-to-energy projects. Tinubu expressed gratitude to Madueke for laying a strong foundation, noting her efforts in establishing the council’s operational framework amid Nigeria’s escalating climate challenges, such as flooding affecting 33 states in 2025 per the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency. 

However, the appointment has sparked debate, with some critics on social media platforms suggesting a regional bias toward southwestern appointees, though no concrete evidence supports this claim. Environmental stakeholders welcome the move, anticipating strengthened focus on climate finance and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. 

The narrative of renewed climate leadership is promising, but its success will depend on Majekodunmi’s ability to navigate political pressures and secure international funding, estimated at $10 billion over the next decade to meet national targets.