Tinubu Appoints Maduekwe, Approves New National Council On Climate Change Leadership [See Full List]

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in an interim capacity, pending the confirmation of her appointment by the NCCC Supervisory Council.

This announcement was made by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday.

Dr. Maduekwe, 39, holds a Bachelor of Law degree, a Master’s degree in Environmental Law & Policy from the University of Dundee (UK), and a Doctorate degree in Law from the University of Hull (UK).

She has over 15 years of experience in climate policy development and project implementation. She previously served as Nigeria’s National Coordinator for Climate Parliament, an international network of legislators working to solve the climate crisis and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Additionally, she was the legal adviser to the NCCC Director-General.

In her new role, Dr. Maduekwe will also serve as the Co-Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Committee on the National Carbon Market Activation Plan (NCMAP).

Furthermore, Tinubu approved the appointment of Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, 40, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement. Shelleng, who holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has served in leading roles across multiple financial institutions, including as Head of Business Development for the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company PLC (NMRC).

He will handle matters related to Climate Finance & Stakeholder/Donor Relations at the NCCC Secretariat and will serve as the Secretary of the Intergovernmental Committee on NCMAP and a member of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.

Additionally, Tinubu approved the appointment of Olamide Fagbuji, 44, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations. Fagbuji will oversee the digitalization of a new open procurement process and cross-departmental procedural optimization initiative at the NCCC Secretariat.

He previously served as Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters under the previous administration and was most recently the Technical Adviser to the Director-General of the NCCC on Policy Research and Strategy.

These appointments are expected to take immediate effect, with the President emphasizing the importance of the new appointees bringing their expertise and discipline to these assignments in pursuit of the nation’s aspirations for green industrial development and climate action for sustainable growth and national prosperity.