Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called for increased capacity building for African lawmakers and the creation of dedicated budget allocations for climate change programmes across the Global South.
Kalu made the call on Thursday while speaking at the GLOBE Legislators Parliamentary Reception held at the House of Commons during the inauguration of Sam Onuigbo as the new President of the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment.
The Deputy Speaker said African parliaments must strengthen their understanding of climate change issues through continuous education and capacity building to ensure that climate legislation translates into tangible benefits for citizens.
He noted that Nigeria’s climate governance has improved following the enactment of the Climate Change Act 2021, which he said was made possible through sustained legislative advocacy led by Onuigbo.
According to Kalu, although the establishment of the House Committee on Climate Change marked significant progress, there remains a knowledge gap among lawmakers on climate adaptation and mitigation, which could undermine effective implementation of existing laws.
He urged GLOBE under its new leadership to prioritise educating parliamentarians across Africa, stressing that stronger legislative capacity is essential for effective climate action.
Kalu also called on African lawmakers to ensure that climate change receives dedicated funding in national budgets, arguing that ring-fenced allocations are necessary to support adaptation and mitigation programmes.
“I look forward to a time in countries in Africa where we will, as parliamentarians, ask where the climate change component of the budget is. A certain percentage must be dedicated to it,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker described Onuigbo as “a round peg in a round hole,” expressing confidence that his leadership of GLOBE would strengthen climate advocacy and legislative collaboration across member countries.
Founded in 1989, GLOBE is an international network of legislators from more than 80 countries working to promote sustainable development and coordinated legislative responses to environmental and climate challenges.
