News
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.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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