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Sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021 and former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, is set to be formally unveiled as President of GLOBE Legislators, one of the world’s leading networks of lawmakers committed to advancing climate action and sustainable development.
The unveiling will take place during the organisation’s 35th anniversary celebrations at the United Kingdom Parliament as part of the 2026 London Climate Action Week (LCAW), scheduled for June 20 to 28.
This was disclosed in an official invitation letter signed by the Chief Executive of GLOBE Legislators, Malini Mehra FRSA, inviting Onuigbo to participate in the week-long climate programme and deliver an address at GLOBE’s 35th Anniversary Reception at the House of Commons on June 24.
According to the letter, Onuigbo, who currently serves as Vice-President for Africa and President-Designate of GLOBE Legislators, will be introduced as President of the global organisation as it establishes its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The anniversary reception will be hosted by former United Kingdom Minister for Climate Change and former President of GLOBE International, Rt. Hon. Graham Stuart MP, and is expected to bring together lawmakers, policymakers and climate stakeholders from across the world.
The event will be held under the theme, “Building Political Resilience and Public Consensus for Climate Action at a Time of Severe Domestic and Geopolitical Challenges.”
GLOBE Legislators is a founding partner of London Climate Action Week, which has evolved into one of the most influential gatherings in the global climate calendar, attracting government officials, parliamentarians, investors, business leaders, academics, civil society organisations and development partners.
In the invitation, Mehra described the event as a significant platform for strengthening international climate cooperation and advancing practical solutions to the climate crisis.
She noted that London Climate Action Week has become a key event in the global climate diplomacy calendar, attracting ministers, lawmakers, investors, business leaders, local governments, civil society organisations, academics and cultural institutions from around the world.
According to her, this year’s edition is expected to surpass the more than 700 climate-related events held across London in 2025 and will feature major summits on climate investment, climate innovation, net-zero delivery, sustainable cities and energy technology.
The events will take place at some of London’s most iconic venues, including the UK Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Kew Gardens, the Globe Theatre, Guildhall and Mansion House.
A major highlight of the programme will be the inaugural Nigeria Climate Investment Summit scheduled for June 23, 2026.
The summit, jointly organised by GLOBE Legislators and SoSustainability, is designed to showcase Nigeria’s legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks aimed at promoting carbon markets, climate action and sustainable investment opportunities.
Onuigbo is expected to play a leading role at the summit, which will bring together lawmakers, investors, policymakers and climate experts from different parts of the world.
The invitation also acknowledged Onuigbo’s efforts in adapting the Student-MP Climate Surgery initiative to Nigeria. The programme, originally launched in London, encourages direct engagement between students and legislators on climate-related issues.
According to GLOBE, Nigeria successfully implemented the initiative in 2022 under Onuigbo’s leadership through Student-MP Climate Surgery sessions organised alongside COP27, the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Egypt.
The organisation noted that Onuigbo’s experience in promoting constituency-based climate leadership in Nigeria would be shared with international counterparts during this year’s London Climate Action Week as a model for strengthening climate engagement and public participation.
The letter further expressed confidence in his leadership and urged him to confirm his participation early to enable him fulfil what it described as his “vital leadership role” during GLOBE’s 35th anniversary celebrations and associated events.
Observers say Onuigbo’s emergence as President of GLOBE Legislators represents a significant milestone not only for Nigeria but for Africa’s growing influence in global climate governance and sustainable development policy.
His elevation comes on the back of a distinguished record in climate advocacy and legislative leadership. As a member of the 9th House of Representatives, Onuigbo sponsored the Climate Change Act 2021, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most comprehensive climate legislation and a landmark framework for achieving sustainable development and climate resilience.
His contributions have earned him recognition both within and outside Nigeria. In 2021, the House of Representatives Press Corps conferred on him the Award of the Dean of Bills/Most Dedicated Lawmaker in recognition of his legislative productivity and impact.
In May 2023, he was inducted into the inaugural National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame, becoming one of only five lawmakers from the 9th National Assembly to receive the honour and the only inductee from Southern Nigeria.
The recognition was based largely on the enduring impact of the Climate Change Act, which has been described as an inter-generational law with far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s environmental and economic future.
On November 27, 2023, the New York-based Business Insider recognised Onuigbo among the 30 Top Global Leaders on Climate Action. A day later, the 10th House of Representatives honoured him as a Worthy Ambassador of the House.
He has also received leadership awards on climate change from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in addition to several Meritorious Honour Awards from the United States Department of State.
Further underscoring his growing profile in international climate diplomacy, Onuigbo was among Nigeria’s delegates to the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025.
With his formal emergence as President of GLOBE Legislators, many stakeholders believe Nigeria and Africa will have a stronger voice in shaping global climate policies, promoting sustainable development and advancing the continent’s interests within international climate governance frameworks.
