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A former member of Nigeria’s National Assembly and the sponsor of the country’s landmark Climate Change Act 2021, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has been honoured with the African Impact Excellence Award by Netherlands The Voice News Magazine even as he says a lot of work and diplomacy went into the process before the Bill could become a law.
The award ceremony, which held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together diplomats, policymakers and development advocates to celebrate individuals making transformative contributions across the continent.
In his remarks, Onuigbo, who is the member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), described the recognition as a humbling acknowledgment of his modest contributions toward establishing Nigeria’s first comprehensive legal framework for climate action.
He revealed that the journey to actualise the Climate Change Act was long, difficult and filled with setbacks.
According to him, early efforts to push the legislation attracted little national attention.
“When we started, it was like nobody was listening, but today, we are happy there is a lot of awareness about climate change in the country,” he said.
Onuigbo disclosed further that several unsuccessful attempts were made to pass the bill before it finally became law.
His words: “The proposal failed in the Sixth and Seventh Assemblies, and even after I sponsored it in the Eighth Assembly, it still did not scale through. It was not until I re-sponsored the bill at the Ninth Assembly that it was eventually passed and received Presidential assent.”
The former lawmaker stressed that although he championed the legislative process, the success of the Climate Change Act 2021 was a collective achievement.
He paid glowing tribute to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, describing him as a firm ally who ensured the bill received the institutional support required to become an Act of Parliament.
“I will not take all the credit alone. I must give tremendous part of the credit to the then Speaker,” he stated.
Onuigbo also extended heartfelt appreciation to his wife, Pastor Dame Chinyere whom he described as a pillar of strength throughout the challenging legislative journey.
“My wife has been very, very solid in prayers, in advice and in guidance,” he said.
The African Impact Excellence Award is conferred on individuals whose work has significantly advanced development on the continent.
For many stakeholders, Onuigbo’s recognition underscores the growing importance of environmental governance in Africa and reaffirms Nigeria’s evolving commitment to addressing climate change through law, policy, and public advocacy.
The House of Representatives Press Corp in recognition of this landmark achievement bestowed him with the Award of the Dean of Bills/Most Dedicated Lawmaker 2021.
It would be recalled that Onuigbo was inducted into the first ever National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame in May 2023. He was part of five Senators/Members out of the 469 members of the 9th National Assembly to be so honoured. He was the only National Assembly member from Southern part of Nigeria to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
He was chosen in recognition of his contributions to the 9th National Assembly on the basis of qualitative impact, and value especially for his sponsorship of the Climate Change Act 2021 which is inter-generational, globally impactful, and has the capability of laying the foundation for a sustainably developed Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo was recognised as one of the 30 Top Global Leaders on Climate Action by the New York-based Business Insider on 27 November, 2023. He was also recognised by the 10th House of Representatives as a Worthy Ambassador of the House on 28 November, 2023. Besides, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka also honoured him with Leadership Awards on Climate Change.
He is a recipient of several Meritorious Honour Awards from the U.S. Department of State.
Rt. Hon. Sir Sam Onuigbo was one of Nigeria’s delegates to the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference which held from 10-21 November, 2025, in Belem, Brazil.
