The presence of a large Nigerian delegation at the COP28 climate change summit in Dubai has drawn widespread criticism.
While the Federal Government disclosed that it sponsored 422 out of the 1,411 delegates, opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, along with civil society organizations, have condemned the size, deeming it unnecessary and a misallocation of resources.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for transparency, urging the government to reveal the delegate names, seeking a National Assembly investigation, and requesting President Tinubu to reimburse expenses for non-essential attendees.
The delegate list includes President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, chefs, luggage officers, stewards, over 50 personal assistants, and more than 30 ministers and heads of government agencies, Daily Trust reports.
The delegation also comprises over 30 ministers and heads of government agencies, including the Ministers of Environment, Water Resources, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Aviation, Information, Lakpobiri, Petroleum, Mineral Resources, Attorney-General, Gas Development, Abubakar Kyari, Agriculture, Power, Youth and Sport, State for Environment, Education, among others.
Also on the list are an actress and on-air personality, Toke Makinwa, IBD Dende, and two senior special assistants to the Lagos State governor (state lotteries & corporate finance/investments), a member representing Lagos Island II in the Lagos State House of Assembly and a staff of PZ Cussons.
Notably, the UN reported that Nigeria has the third-largest delegation at the event, trailing only China and Brazil.
The delegation includes representatives from various government entities, the State House, the National Council on Climate Change, the Ministry of Environment, the National Assembly, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.
