Written by: Suhaib Shams
Nigerian parliamentarian and climate activist Sam Onuigbo highlighted the vital role that legislative institutions play in translating climate pledges into binding laws and actionable policies across the African continent, emphasizing that parliaments represent the cornerstone for achieving effective and sustainable climate governance.
The Importance of Legislation in Climate Action
Onuigbo's remarks came during the 2026 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Network of African Parliamentarians for Climate Change in Nairobi. He explained that international agreements alone have limited impact if they are not coupled with legislative actions that establish the legal and political frameworks necessary for their implementation on the ground, stressing that parliamentarians make climate conferences truly meaningful by turning discussions into practical policies that the executive branch can rely on.
Onuigbo noted that members of parliament perform multiple roles to enhance climate action, including enacting legislation, approving budgets, and exercising oversight to ensure funds are used wisely and transparently. He explained that climate commitments cannot be effectively achieved without adequate funding and clear accountability mechanisms for implementing agencies to ensure the desired results from environmental programs are attained.
Nigeria's Experience in Environmental Legislation
The Nigerian parliamentarian reviewed his personal experience and climate efforts in his country, citing noticeable environmental changes in his local communities, such as the drying up of springs, which highlight the direct impacts of climate change on populations. He emphasized that these experiences strengthened his resolve to push for legislative measures that provide an institutional framework to coordinate climate action.
Onuigbo cited the example of the Climate Change Act in Nigeria and the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change, explaining how laws provide a coordinating structure for climate governance across various sectors and levels of government. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of parliamentary networks in sharing knowledge and enhancing joint cooperation to face emerging environmental challenges and assist governments in fulfilling their climate obligations.
