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What Nigerians might not know about the Climate Change Act 2021 – Onuigbo
A former member of Nigeria’s National Assembly and the sponsor of the country’s landmark Climate Change Act 2021, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has been honoured with the African Impact Excellence Award by Netherlands The Voice News Magazine even as he says a lot of work and diplomacy went into the process before the Bill could become a law.
The award ceremony, which held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together diplomats, policymakers and development advocates to celebrate individuals making transformative contributions across the continent.
In his remarks, Onuigbo, who is the member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), described the recognition as a humbling acknowledgment of his modest contributions toward establishing Nigeria’s first comprehensive legal framework for climate action.
He revealed that the journey to actualise the Climate Change Act was long, difficult and filled with setbacks.
According to him, early efforts to push the legislation attracted little national attention.
“When we started, it was like nobody was listening, but today, we are happy there is a lot of awareness about climate change in the country,” he said.
Onuigbo disclosed further that several unsuccessful attempts were made to pass the bill before it finally became law.
His words: “The proposal failed in the Sixth and Seventh Assemblies, and even after I sponsored it in the Eighth Assembly, it still did not scale through. It was not until I re-sponsored the bill at the Ninth Assembly that it was eventually passed and received Presidential assent.”
The former lawmaker stressed that although he championed the legislative process, the success of the Climate Change Act 2021 was a collective achievement.
He paid glowing tribute to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, describing him as a firm ally who ensured the bill received the institutional support required to become an Act of Parliament.
“I will not take all the credit alone. I must give tremendous part of the credit to the then Speaker,” he stated.
Onuigbo also extended heartfelt appreciation to his wife, Pastor Dame Chinyere whom he described as a pillar of strength throughout the challenging legislative journey.
“My wife has been very, very solid in prayers, in advice and in guidance,” he said.
The African Impact Excellence Award is conferred on individuals whose work has significantly advanced development on the continent.
For many stakeholders, Onuigbo’s recognition underscores the growing importance of environmental governance in Africa and reaffirms Nigeria’s evolving commitment to addressing climate change through law, policy, and public advocacy.
The House of Representatives Press Corp in recognition of this landmark achievement bestowed him with the Award of the Dean of Bills/Most Dedicated Lawmaker 2021.
It would be recalled that Onuigbo was inducted into the first ever National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame in May 2023. He was part of five Senators/Members out of the 469 members of the 9th National Assembly to be so honoured. He was the only National Assembly member from Southern part of Nigeria to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
He was chosen in recognition of his contributions to the 9th National Assembly on the basis of qualitative impact, and value especially for his sponsorship of the Climate Change Act 2021 which is inter-generational, globally impactful, and has the capability of laying the foundation for a sustainably developed Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo was recognised as one of the 30 Top Global Leaders on Climate Action by the New York-based Business Insider on 27 November, 2023. He was also recognised by the 10th House of Representatives as a Worthy Ambassador of the House on 28 November, 2023. Besides, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka also honoured him with Leadership Awards on Climate Change.
He is a recipient of several Meritorious Honour Awards from the U.S. Department of State.
Rt. Hon. Sir Sam Onuigbo was one of Nigeria’s delegates to the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference which held from 10-21 November, 2025, in Belem, Brazil.
News
PSIN Posts Major Institutional Reforms, Improved Financial Discipline, Earns House Committee Praise
Cyril Ogar
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters has reviewed the 2024 budget performance of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) and commended the Institute’s leadership for initiating wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening governance, service delivery, and institutional discipline.
The commendation came during an oversight visit by members of the Committee to PSIN headquarters along the Kubwa Expressway, Abuja.
Speaking at the engagement, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Engr. Sani Umar Bala, described the visit as significant, noting that it marked the Committee’s first official engagement with PSIN under the leadership of its new Administrator. He congratulated the Administrator on the appointment and expressed the Committee’s readiness to work closely with the Institute to promote accountability, innovation, and sustainable institutional growth.
Hon. Bala recalled that the Committee’s last oversight visit to PSIN took place in July of the previous year, during which key recommendations were made, particularly the need for the Institute to evolve innovative strategies to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the enactment of a substantive Establishment Act to strengthen its legal and institutional framework.
He stressed that all public funds, including IGR, must be expended strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions, legislative approvals, and national priorities, adding that oversight by the National Assembly is constructive and aimed at supporting institutions to perform better.
“This visit provides an opportunity for us to receive a clear account of actions taken since our last engagement, the reforms introduced, challenges encountered, and the strategic direction the Institute is now pursuing,” the Committee Chairman said.
In her address, the Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria Administrator/ CEO, Barrister Imeh Okon welcomed members of the Committee and described the visit as timely, coming shortly after the completion of his first 100 days in office. He explained that the period was deliberately focused on understanding the institution, engaging staff, and restoring operational discipline rather than publicity.
According to her, management instituted monthly whole-of-staff engagement forums, reinstated weekly departmental meetings, and introduced staff morale initiatives aimed at strengthening teamwork, accountability, and a sense of belonging.
On service delivery, Barrister Imeh Okon disclosed that PSIN successfully completed the onboarding of its Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre as an accredited facility by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), strengthening the Institute’s capacity to deliver technology-driven and credible assessments.
Shee added that over 400 public servants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were trained during the period, while PSIN also conducted nationwide promotion examinations for more than 2,600 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Administrator further highlighted steps taken to restore financial discipline, including strengthened financial controls, compliance with government financial regulations, comprehensive audits of facilities and assets, and the recovery and regularisation of outstanding revenues, all aimed at promoting transparency and value for money.
Physical infrastructure improvements were also recorded, with renovated lecture rooms, rehabilitated facilities, improved sanitation systems, fumigation of the premises, and enhanced security measures to protect government assets.
Looking ahead, he outlined plans to modernise PSIN’s curriculum, expand e-learning and blended learning platforms, digitise internal processes, and fully embrace the Institute’s think-tank mandate through policy dialogues, advisory services, and strategic partnerships, including a proposed twinning arrangement with the Singapore Public Service Institute.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of PSIN’s 2024 budget performance, in line with the Institute’s core mandate of training and continuous retraining of public servants.
Members of the Committee welcomed the presentation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting PSIN through legislation, policy guidance, and advocacy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s public service architecture.
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