The Nigerian Presidency announced on Tuesday that it has outlined cost-cutting measures for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, this November. These measures align with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reducing the cost of governance.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, revealed during a briefing at the State House in Abuja that these efforts are expected to save the government approximately ₦10 billion over the 11-day event.
Ngelale highlighted the necessity of these cuts to avoid repeating the overspending that occurred during COP28 in Dubai last November. Among the measures, the government has decided not to hire a pavilion, which previously cost $500,000, opting instead to set up a more economical delegation office within the conference premises. The government also plans to eliminate unnecessary consultancies and subcontracts for services like lighting, which can be managed directly by the National Council on Climate Change.
The Special Adviser emphasized that these measures are part of a broader initiative to ensure financial accountability and transparency in government expenditures. He mentioned the implementation of a climate accountability and transparency portal that will track all delegation members and their activities at COP29. This portal will allow Nigerians to access real-time information on who is attending the conference and ensure that every delegate has a clear economic imperative for their participation.
Reflecting on the audit conducted on COP28, Ngelale pointed out that there were numerous officials who had no legitimate reason to attend the conference, contributing to the excessive costs. In response, President Tinubu ordered a comprehensive audit to identify the lapses and prevent their recurrence.
As part of the new strategy, the delegation office at COP29 will handle all bilateral meetings, which would otherwise have been conducted in the now-eliminated showcase pavilion. This shift alone is expected to reduce costs by more than 90%.
“These cost-cutting measures represent the change that Nigerians have been asking for, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to delivering,” Ngelale stated.
He further assured that while the government remains mindful of the economic challenges facing the country, it is also taking decisive steps to avoid wasteful spending, particularly in international engagements like COP29. The efforts to streamline expenditure are expected to save the country over ₦10 billion during the conference, setting a precedent for future government participation in international events.
The Presidency reiterated its commitment to maintaining public confidence by conducting comprehensive audits and implementing corrective measures, with COP29 marking the beginning of this new approach.
