A leading climate change advocate and former member of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has described Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) as a significant boost to the country’s climate action agenda, international partnerships, and sustainable development drive.
Speaking by telephone from Abu Dhabi, where he is attending the global sustainability forum, Onuigbo said ADSW—widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost platforms on sustainability—offers Nigeria a strategic opportunity to align its national priorities with global climate solutions while attracting critical investment into green sectors of the economy.
Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act of 2021, noted that ADSW 2026 goes beyond the scope of a routine international conference, describing it as a convergence point where climate ambition meets investment, innovation, and actionable outcomes.
“Nigeria’s presence signals our readiness to transition to a greener economy while simultaneously addressing energy poverty, unemployment, and climate vulnerability,” he said.
He attributed the heightened impact of Nigeria’s participation to the physical presence and addresses by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2025 and 2026 editions of the event. According to him, the President’s speeches underscored Nigeria’s openness to global partnerships and its firm commitment to a green and inclusive transition that integrates climate action with energy access, economic growth, and social development.
Onuigbo commended President Tinubu for announcing that Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates in Lagos in February, describing the initiative as a strategic move to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows.
Currently representing the South-East geopolitical zone on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Onuigbo said Nigeria’s participation at ADSW would further strengthen its voice in global climate and sustainability discourse.
“As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria’s development choices have far-reaching implications for the continent. ADSW provides a platform for Nigeria to clearly articulate its climate challenges—from flooding and desertification to energy access gaps—while contributing African perspectives to global policy discussions,” he said.
He also highlighted the strong investment prospects associated with the event, noting that ADSW attracts global financiers, development partners, and technology providers focused on renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, water security, and green infrastructure.
According to him, Nigeria’s engagement at the forum creates direct pathways for financing solar and wind energy projects, waste-to-energy initiatives, and sustainable transport systems. He added that access to investors seeking bankable green projects in emerging markets could translate into job creation, improved power supply, and sustainable economic growth.
Onuigbo further disclosed that Nigerian policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and youth delegates attending ADSW are expected to benefit from exposure to global best practices in clean technology, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, and sustainable urban development, which he said are essential for strengthening local institutions and improving policy implementation.
He noted that Nigeria’s active participation reinforces its commitment to meeting international climate obligations, including its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs under the Paris Agreement) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while enhancing the country’s credibility and access to climate finance and technical support.
The Abia State-born advocate also stressed the importance of showcasing Nigerian innovation on the global stage, pointing to the country’s growing ecosystem of climate-focused startups and innovators.
“ADSW provides visibility, partnerships, and opportunities for Nigerian innovators to scale their solutions beyond our borders,” he said.
Onuigbo described Nigeria’s participation in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 as both a message of responsibility and hope, adding that it signals to the international community Nigeria’s seriousness about sustainability and affirms to young Nigerians that climate action is central to the nation’s future.
“This is a step in the right direction towards building a resilient and inclusive Nigeria,” he said.
