NCCC Launches High-Level PreCOP Briefing to Sharpen Climate Negotiation Power

By: Michael Mike

The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), in partnership with the British Embassy and PACE, has convened a two-day PreCOP30 Briefing and Negotiators’ Training in Abuja to arm Nigeria’s delegates with the strategy, skills, and unity needed to drive a just, well-financed, and inclusive climate transition on the global stage.

With less than two weeks to the landmark COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the event comes at a crucial time, the Director General, National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi

in her keynote address reminded the audience that COP30 is not about bureaucracy or endless talks it is a turning point for taking real action on climate promises.

She said: “This meeting is not another procedural call. As we all have been hearing, this is an implementation call. And I have seen it.”

She highlighted how Nigeria’s participation in global climate forums connects directly to the nation’s economic and environmental future, ensuring negotiations bring tangible benefits home.

She noted, “For Nigeria, COP30 presents an opportunity to translate these global decisions into tangible national benefits to secure finance, technology, and partnerships that support our NDC 3.0, our LT-LEDS, and all the other objectives under the Partnership Act of 2021. This two-day session is part of our continuing effort to professionalize Nigeria’s negotiating role, to ensure every delegate speaks from an informed, united, and strategic position.”

Majekodunmi outlined Nigeria’s central message for COP30 advocating for a fair, inclusive, and well-financed path toward low-carbon growth and resilience.

The DG emphasized, “Our vision for COP30 is clear to advance a just, inclusive and well-financed transition that strengthens resilience, drives low-carbon development, and safeguards the prosperity of Nigerians. Based on extensive consultations and analysis, the key priorities Nigerians will champion at COP30 include climate finance and implementation readiness, mitigation and just transition, adaptation and resilience, transparency, inclusion, and partnerships.”

She framed Nigeria’s stance not as vulnerable but as determined grounded in purpose, partnerships, and optimism.

Mrs. Majekodunmi declared, “We do not negotiate from a place of vulnerability, but from the position of purpose, partnership and possibility.”

Majekodunmi challenged every negotiator to ensure that agreements at global meetings translate into real outcomes for ordinary Nigerians.

She said, “Every word negotiated, every comma inserted, every coalition built must translate into climate action at will into cleaner air, sustainable jobs, resilient communities, secure livelihoods, and the backbone of environmental peace. Let this briefing and training not only sharpen our negotiation skills, but also reaffirm our national unity of purpose.”

Closing her remarks, she reminded participants that tackling climate change is a national duty across all sectors.

The Director-General concluded, “Climate action is not the work of one ministry or one agency or one council. It’s Nigeria’s collective development strategy.”

Majekodunmi’s address balanced vision and practicality, urging Nigerian negotiators to act boldly, speak with one voice, and ensure that global climate diplomacy delivers measurable progress for Nigerians.

Samantha Harrison of the British Commission emphasized that progress at COP30 depends not only on strong commitments but also on skilled negotiation. She stressed the importance of effective communication and consensus-building in achieving meaningful global climate action.

She said, “The UK understands the crucial role that skilled negotiators play at COP, where the ability to effectively advocate for national interests and build consensus is key to securing meaningful progress on the global climate emergency.”

Harrison highlighted the urgency of COP30, noting that climate impacts are intensifying and trust in international collaboration is being tested.

She said, “It is clear that the need for world-range, highly skilled negotiators has never been more critical. COP30 comes at a crucial moment, as climate impacts intensify and faith in the multilateral system is tested.”

She commended Nigeria for demonstrating leadership and commitment through its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).

She said, “We commend Nigeria for submitting its Economy-Wide NDC 3.0, a clear demonstration of leadership and commitment to tackling climate change.”

In her concluding remarks, Harrison called on nations to restore collective resolve and ensure that COP30 delivers real, equitable outcomes.

She highlighted partnership, financial support, and strategic collaboration between the UK and Nigeria to turn ambitious climate commitments into tangible progress.

She said, “COP30 must demonstrate that we can rebuild shared resolve to close the ambition gap and make sure COP delivers for all. The UK is committed to helping Nigeria attract greater flows of climate finance and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. The training will help you effectively advocate for Nigeria’s priorities, including access to climate finance, which holds the potential to unlock new funding streams essential for climate resilience and sustainable development. As we look ahead, I encourage you to remain steadfast, collaborate closely, and think strategically. Your work over the coming days will help ensure that Nigeria’s voice is heard and that you emerge from COP30 with outcomes that support your national interests and the global climate agenda.”

Samantha Harrison’s goodwill message underscored partnership, preparedness, and action. She applauded Nigeria’s leadership, urged negotiators to strengthen collaboration, and reminded participants that COP30 must turn ambition into tangible global progress.

Saadatu Gambo, representing the NCCC/TBD, opened the session by emphasizing the importance of preparation and skill in climate negotiations.

She said, “I’m thrilled to welcome you all to this negotiator’s training. We have gathered to explore the art of negotiation, share best practice, and develop the skills needed to navigate complex deals and conversations, such as effective communication, building trust, and problem solving.”

Highlighting the stakes of COP30, Gambo added, “I’m excited to learn from each and every one of you. I’m confident that by the end of this training, you’ll be equipped with the tools and confidence to tackle even the toughest of negotiations. Let us get started and make the most of the time together.”

The NCCC outlined Nigeria’s key priorities for COP30,in the overview of the agenda , which will take place in Belém, Brazil, running in three phases the pre-summit on November 6–7, technical negotiations from November 10–15, and the high-level segment from November 16–21, when final decisions will be adopted.

Discussions will focus on implementing the Paris Agreement and advancing outcomes from COP29. Nigeria’s priorities include strengthening its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.1) with new 2035 targets, securing climate finance through the new $1.3 trillion collective goal, and advancing the Global Goal on Adaptation to address Africa’s needs. Negotiations will also cover Article 6 on carbon markets and the Just Energy Transition to ensure fairness, inclusion, and green job creation.

Thematic days will highlight adaptation, human development, economic transformation, biodiversity, and food security. The overall focus of COP30 is on implementation, climate justice, and linking climate action to national development.

The NCCC reaffirmed that Nigeria will participate from a position of collaboration and readiness, determined to turn commitments into measurable climate action that strengthens resilience, drives sustainable growth, and promotes equity across the nation and the African region.

NCCC Launches High-Level PreCOP Briefing to Sharpen Climate Negotiation Power

Police arrest three officers for attempted murder of colleague’s son in Lagos over alleged affair with wife

By: Zagazola Makama

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three police inspectors for allegedly assaulting a 22-year-old man to a state of coma at the 22 PMF Barracks, Ogudu.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Tuesday around 6:00 p.m. when the officers Inspector John Alom of 63 PMF Ikorodu, Inspector Sunday Adoga of CTU Base 2 Ikeja, and Inspector Jehovah Usam of 22 PMF Ikeja allegedly lured the victim, Jacob Sunday, to their room.

Jacob, said to be the son of Inspector Sunday Ochepo, was accused by the suspects of having an affair with the wife of one ASP Audu Richard, identified as Sarah Richard, who also resides in the barracks.

According to the sources , the victim was stripped naked and severely beaten until he lost consciousness.

He was later rescued by a team of detectives and taken to the Police College Cottage Hospital, Ikeja, where he is currently receiving treatment at the emergency unit.

The three officers have been arrested and detained pending disciplinary action.

Sources said that the Command said investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Police arrest three officers for attempted murder of colleague’s son in Lagos over alleged affair with wife

Nigeria’s Strategic Partnerships: What the French Military Academy’s Visit to NDA Really Means

By Senator Iroegbu

The recent visit of Lt-Gen. Emmanuel Charpy, Commandant of the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr (ESM)—France’s foremost military academy—to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna may have seemed like another routine diplomatic engagement. But its more profound implications for Nigeria’s national security, strategic autonomy, and regional leadership are far more profound.

At a time when social media critics are quick to politicise every foreign engagement, the symbolism of this visit deserves sober reflection. It wasn’t about subservience or colonial nostalgia. It was an affirmation of mutual respect, professional excellence, and Nigeria’s growing capacity to engage the world on its own terms.

Unfortunately, there is a popular but dangerous misconception that any cooperation with Western nations represents neo-colonial dependence. This mindset, disguised as patriotism, is in fact strategic illiteracy. True sovereignty is not measured by whom you refuse to engage, but by your ability to partner with powerful nations as an equal while preserving independent decision-making.

The Commandant of one of the world’s most prestigious military academies did not visit Nigeria as a benefactor to a client state. He came as a peer, recognising that the NDA—after over six decades and more than 20,000 graduates—has matured into a globally respected institution, currently hosting cadets from 14 allied countries. The French visit was earned, not solicited. It was Nigeria’s capacity, not its dependency, that drew attention.

Look to the Sahel for caution. The Alliance of Sahel States—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—chose to expel Western forces and sever partnerships with France, only to replace them with heavy dependence on Russia’s Wagner Group, now rebranded as Africa Corps. The results? Escalating insecurity, deteriorating governance, and rising civilian casualties.

They traded one external dependency for another, gaining rhetorical sovereignty but losing absolute control. This is not the path Nigeria should emulate. The smart path is the one that balances partnerships, diversifies alliances, and builds capacity across multiple fronts without ideological rigidity.

Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s geography and regional role demand multilingual, multinational competence. We are surrounded by Francophone nations, including Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. For our Armed Forces, proficiency in French isn’t a luxury; it’s an operational necessity for border coordination, intelligence sharing, and peacekeeping.

The NDA–ESM collaboration directly addresses this need. It enhances leadership development, language proficiency, and training methodology. Far from diminishing Nigeria’s sovereignty, it strengthens our defence capabilities and reinforces our regional leadership role in ECOWAS, the African Union, and United Nations missions.

Partnerships like these are not about dependency; they are about mutual learning and growth. French cadets will also gain exposure to African security dynamics and cultural diversity—critical experiences for future global officers.

To this end, Nigeria’s defence and foreign policy must be guided by one principle: national interest, not by emotional reactions to historical grievances, nor by blind alignment with any global bloc. The question we must always ask is: Does this partnership serve Nigeria’s long-term security and development objectives?

If the NDA–ESM partnership enhances training quality, language capability, and international recognition, then it passes that test. And this is only one among many—Nigeria maintains robust defence relations with the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, India, and several African nations. Our policy is not “either/or.” It is strategic flexibility—extracting value from multiple sources while maintaining autonomy.

Real patriotism is not loud rejection of foreign engagement; it is the quiet, steady pursuit of excellence. It means making pragmatic decisions that strengthen our national capacity, regardless of where functional expertise originates. It means wanting Nigerian officers to be among the best trained in the world—and knowing that achieving that standard requires learning from global best practices.

The NDA–ESM partnership exemplifies this approach: selective, strategic, and mutually beneficial. It reflects confidence, not submission. It reflects maturity, not dependence.

As other nations in the Sahel drift into isolationism and populist anti-Western rhetoric, Nigeria is charting a more balanced course—engaging without capitulating, cooperating without compromising sovereignty. That’s not weakness; that’s wisdom. It’s the kind of leadership Africa urgently needs: autonomy rooted in strength, not isolationism driven by insecurity.

The world’s power dynamics are shifting. Nations that will thrive are those able to build strategic bridges—not walls. Nigeria’s Defence Academy, by opening its gates to peer collaboration, is quietly doing just that.

In a nutshell, the visit of General Charpy to the NDA was more than a diplomatic gesture. It was recognition of excellence, a celebration of partnership, and a demonstration of Nigeria’s growing stature in global military education. It tells a story of a country confident in its identity, secure in its sovereignty, and determined to engage the world on its own terms.

Nigeria’s national interest must come first—not East, not West, but Nigeria first. The NDA’s example shows that by engaging wisely, learning broadly, and acting decisively, we can build a military—and a nation—worthy of our aspirations.

Senator Iroegbu is a security, geopolitics and development analyst. Email: Senator.iroegbu@yahoo.co.uk

Nigeria’s Strategic Partnerships: What the French Military Academy’s Visit to NDA Really Means