According to a report by Premium Times, the Nigerian federal government reportedly allocated approximately N3 billion to sponsor delegates attending the United Nations’ annual climate summit, COP28, which commenced in Dubai last Thursday and is scheduled to continue until at least December 12th.
NN News Media recalled that Nigeria has 1,411 delegates at the COP28, making it the third-highest country in terms of the number of participants. The host country, UAE, has 4,409 delegates, and Brazil follows with 3,081 participants, placing Nigeria as the most populous African country in attendance.
Other countries with delegations surpassing 1,000 participants at COP28 include China and Nigeria, both registering 1,411 individuals. Additionally, Indonesia has 1,229 delegates, Japan has 1,067, and Turkey has 1,045 participants at the summit.
Parties to this Convention from Nigeria include government officials, representatives from the private sector, civil society, the voluntary sector, state governments, media, multilateral institutions, representatives of marginalized communities, and many others.
Nigerians have expressed outrage over the government’s large delegation to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, especially amid economic challenges with a 27.33% inflation rate and plans to borrow over $9 billion for the 2024 budget.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, clarified that the government-sponsored delegation comprises 422 persons, not the speculated 1,411.
The estimated cost of round-trip flights for 422 people is N824 million, and ministers, paid $900 per day as estacode, will receive N9.5 million each during the 13-day conference. The government defended the delegation, citing Nigeria’s stake in climate action.
