The appointment of Ajuri Ngelale as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC) had reportedly always been embroiled in controversy.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), a prominent non-governmental organization focused on climate policy, had formally requested President Bola Tinubu to reconsider this decision.
In a letter dated August 10, obtained by FIJ, HEDA’s executive secretary, Sulaimon Arigbalu, expressed concerns over Ngelale’s suitability for the pivotal climate role.
The NGO argues that his appointment contradicts the provisions of the 2021 Climate Change Act, specifically undermining the authority of the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).
Arigbalu emphasized the specialized nature of the climate action post, highlighting that it requires specific skills, competencies, and networks that Ngelale, primarily a media and public relations expert, may lack.
According to HEDA, such an appointment not only bypasses established protocol but also potentially diminishes the effectiveness of Nigeria’s climate action leadership on the global stage.
The letter also pointed out that Ngelale’s dual role as a presidential spokesperson and climate envoy was impractical and likely to result in a conflict of duties.
HEDA said, “The first challenge is the assignment of Mr Ngelale as the DNA, otherwise called National Focal Point (NFP). This a highly technical responsibility, and hence, DNAs are technical entities who are well-grounded in the international climate change regime under the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the processes, policies, politics, science and international negotiation.
“The skills, competences and network required to be a DNA are built over many years to be able to deal with the often complex and sophisticated emerging issues in the multilateral process. It is therefore an aberration of the international system and ethos to rest this very complex responsibility in a non-technical entity. Besides, the role of a DNA is quite tasking and consuming and would be practically impossible to combine with the job of a presidential spokesperson, which Mr Ngelale is actually doing a good job at.
“The Climate Change Act 2021 recognizes the critical nature of the responsibilities of the DNA and thus bestowed it on the Director General of the NCCC, who is also an appointee of the President, to represent the country at such engagements.
“The DG NCCC is presumed to be someone who has the technical competence and understanding of the requirement of a DNA. The Climate Change Act 2021 is the principal legislation, which provides the framework for Climate Change governance in Nigeria including the pathway for achieving green growth and sustainable economic development.
“Section 1 of the Act provides the objectives of the Act. It further mandates the NCCC, with your Excellency, shall as its Chairman, and the Secretariat of the Council with the responsibility of ensuring the objectives of the Act are met.”
HEDA said while it recognises the president’s power to make appointments as necessary, Ngelale’s position as SPEC and Presidential Committee on Climate Action and GreenEconomics Solution undermines the regulations of the NCCC.
It further stated, “We therefore urge that your Excellency comply with the provisions of the Climate Change Act which is an enactment of the National Assembly and withdraw/dissolve the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC) and the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economics Solution forthwith as it is inconsistent with the principal legislation regulating Climate Action in Nigeria; the Climate Change Act, 2021.
“Whilst we recognize the powers and privileges of the office of the President to appoint a special envoy, as he considers needful, such powers and privileges shall not be exercised in violation of relevant laws; or to undermine a lawful institution of government.
“Thus, in the instance that you Excellency desire to keep Mr. Ngelale as your special envoy, the unlawful ToRs attached to his appointment, which undermines the powers and duties of the NCCC should be withdrawn.
“This will enable better coordination and a sharp focus administrative-wise on all issues regarding climate action and also reduce duplicative costs, especially in view of our country’s current economic reality.”
This report comes two days after Ngelale asked to proceed on indefinite leave for family health reasons.