Perspectives Organises Climate Negotiator Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria  

From February 17-20, 2026, an in-person workshop took place in Abuja, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity and leadership in international climate negotiations. This event, the first in a series of workshops under the Nigeria–UK PACT Project, brought together approximately 100 stakeholders, including Nigerian climate negotiators, government officials, and technical experts. The workshop was designed by Perspectives and coordinated on the ground by Chido Muzondo, Sherri Ombuya and Axel Michaelowa, focused on reflecting on lessons from COP30 and enhancing participants’ understanding of the UNFCCC negotiation processes in 2026. 

The key objectives of the workshop were to review the outcomes of COP30, assess Nigeria’s role in various negotiation streams, and identify successes, gaps, and lessons learned from the country’s negotiation experience. Discussions focused particularly on strategy, positioning, coordination, and Nigeria’s strategic interests in international climate diplomacy. These insights will be critical in shaping future engagement in global climate negotiations and ensuring Nigeria’s active participation in key global climate moments. 

“Through this workshop, we aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the negotiation dynamics and empower participants with the tools to strengthen Nigeria’s influence on the global climate stage,” said Dr. Axel Michaelowa, Senior Founding Partner at Perspectives Climate Research. “We considered the workshop to be a success in terms of fostering a common understanding of the UNFCCC processes and laying a foundation for the subsequent workshops in our capacity building series this year”.

The workshop’s format was highly participatory, with expert-led presentations complemented by technical discussions and breakout sessions. These sessions explored the complexities of the UNFCCC process, the political and procedural dynamics at COP30, and the responsibilities of negotiators in shaping global climate agreements. The feedback from participants revealed that 70% of attendees were highly satisfied with the knowledge they gained during the workshop. 

This workshop marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its participation in global climate diplomacy, leveraging the expertise of Perspectives Climate Research and Power Shift Africa to build a solid foundation for continuous learning and effective engagement in international climate negotiations. 

UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is a UK Government programme that provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to developing countries to accelerate climate action.