The extensive representation of Nigeria at the ongoing climate change summit (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has sparked controversy. Despite the Federal Government claiming to have funded only 422 delegates out of the total 1,411, there is ongoing debate about the necessity and appropriateness of such a large delegation.
The list of registered Nigerian participants at COP28 includes a diverse array of individuals, ranging from President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, to chefs, luggage officers, stewards, and over 50 personal assistants. Additionally, the delegation comprises more than 30 ministers and heads of government agencies, covering various portfolios such as Environment, Water Resources, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Aviation, Information, Petroleum, Mineral Resources, Attorney-General, Gas Development, Agriculture, Power, Youth and Sport, State for Environment, Education, among others.
This substantial delegation has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi from the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, respectively, as well as civil society organizations. These critics argue that such an extensive representation is an inefficient use of scarce resources.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for transparency, challenging the government to disclose the names of the delegates and urging the National Assembly to investigate the delegation. The PDP specifically called on President Bola Tinubu to be prepared to reimburse the expenses associated with delegates who do not play significant roles at the conference, emphasizing concerns about the allocation of resources in sending such a large contingent to the summit.