In a move to deepen corporate participation in climate action and sustainability in Nigeria, the Nigerian chapter of the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI) is officially launching today through a virtual event that will bring together high-level speakers and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
The landmark launch event which will be held virtually via Zoom will mark a critical step in aligning Nigerian boardrooms with global standards of climate accountability, risk management, and sustainable development.
The Climate Governance Initiative is a global network established in collaboration with the World Economic Forum to mobilize board directors in addressing climate change through effective governance and strategic oversight. With today’s launch, Nigeria joins over 30 countries already participating in this global movement to ensure that climate-related risks and opportunities are firmly embedded into business strategy and boardroom decision-making.
The Nigerian chapter aims to empower boards of directors across sectors with the tools, insights, and collaborations necessary to confront the climate crisis head-on—while simultaneously unlocking opportunities for green innovation, investment, and resilience.
The virtual launch featured a powerful roster of speakers who will show the urgency of climate action and the onerous role of leadership in the private sector.
Dr. Myma Belo-Osagie, Chair of the Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria Advisory Board; Dr. Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; Representing the international community, Julie Baddeley, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Climate Governance Initiative’s Global Chapter Network; Dahlia Khalifa, Regional Director for Central Africa and Nigeria at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Hamza Al-Assad, Country Manager for Nigeria at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are some of the speakers expected at the event.
Others are Dr. Gregory Jobome, ED Risk Management at Access Bank Plc; Prof. Yinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School; Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Director General and CEO of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria; Peju Adebajo, Founder of CGI Nigeria and Olawunmi Asekun, Executive Director of CGI Nigeria.
The CGI Nigeria Chapter is being supported by leading institutions, including Lafarge Africa, Lagos Business School, Siemens Energy, UAC Nigeria, DLA Piper Africa, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Deloitte. These partners will contribute to thought leadership, training, research, and advocacy.
The launch is also endorsed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Access Bank, both of whom are longstanding champions of climate-aligned finance and governance in Africa.
Why It Matters
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of its biggest emitters, faces growing risks from climate change, including desertification, flooding, and energy insecurity. With the private sector accounting for a significant portion of the country’s GDP and investment decisions, boardrooms hold untapped potential for catalyzing climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The CGI Nigeria launch comes at a crucial time, as more investors, regulators, and global partners demand robust climate strategies and disclosures from corporations. As the world prepares for COP30 and the second Global Stocktake, Nigeria’s inclusion in the Climate Governance Initiative network represents not just a milestone, but a mission: to place climate at the heart of corporate leadership, governance, and decision-making.
Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria is part of a global network of national chapters working to equip corporate boards with knowledge and tools to address climate change as a boardroom issue. Powered by the World Economic Forum’s Principles for Effective Climate Governance, CGI Nigeria is committed to driving leadership, transparency, and accountability in the business response to the climate crisis.
