COP31: Tinubu absent from leaders’ summit for third consecutive year

President Bola Tinubu has again been absent from the World Leaders’ Summit of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

His absence marks the third consecutive year he has not personally attended the high-level climate gathering.

The two-day Antalya Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for November 11 and 12 in Turkey, brings together presidents, prime ministers and heads of government to outline their countries’ climate priorities, announce commitments and provide political direction for international climate negotiations.

The summit is one of the most politically significant events of the annual climate conference, offering world leaders an opportunity to influence discussions on climate finance, adaptation, energy transition and support for vulnerable countries.

However, while several world leaders arrived in Antalya for the high-level engagements, Tinubu, alongside several other world leaders were absent from the gathering.

Tinubu’s absence from the leaders’ summit continues a pattern that began at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024. He had attended COP28 in Dubai in 2023.

At COP28, Tinubu was physically present at the World Climate Action Summit but did not deliver his scheduled national statement. He, however, addressed a high-level meeting on methane and other non-CO₂ greenhouse gases, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling methane emissions.

At COP29, Nigeria’s national statement was delivered on his behalf by Balarabe Lawal, then minister of environment and ecological management.

The pattern continued at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in 2025. Although Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the conference, the president did not personally attend the leaders’ engagements.

At COP31, Tinubu is again absent from the high-level gathering, with Nigeria missing from the list of countries scheduled to deliver national statements during the opening segment on November 11 and 12.

However, countries whose leaders do not deliver statements during the first segment can still do so when the high-level segment resumes on November 17 and 18.

**TINUBU’S CAMPAIGN COMMENT **

Tinubu’s repeated absence comes against the backdrop of questions about his personal commitment to climate action, dating back to his presidential campaign.

In October 2022, while responding to a question about climate change at an interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna, Tinubu questioned Nigeria’s ability to meet with international climate obligations without financial support from developed countries.

“We need to tell the West; if you don’t guarantee our finances and work with us to stop this, we are not going to comply with your climate change,” Tinubu had said.

The remarks drew criticism, with some questioning Tinubu’s understanding of the climate crisis and his choice of words, —”your climate change”.

However, his supporters defended his position, arguing that Nigeria should not be expected to meet international climate obligations without adequate financial support from developed countries.

Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has made climate-related commitments, including advancing Nigeria’s energy transition and advocating increased international climate finance.

However, his repeated absence from the high-level climate change conferences has raised questions about the importance he personally attaches to the climate action and the level of political attention his administration gives the issue.

The timing is also significant as Nigeria prepares for its January 2027 general election.

SEVERAL GLOBAL LEADERS SKIP COP31

Tinubu is not the only prominent political leader missing from the COP31 leaders’ summit.

United States President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also absent.

Several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are also missing. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are among other prominent leaders not attending.

While China is represented by Vice-President Han Zheng, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is attending the summit.

Trump’s absence is particularly significant given his administration’s position on climate change.

The US president has repeatedly dismissed climate science, describing climate change as a hoax. He also initiated the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement for a second time. The withdrawal took effect in January 2026.

The United States is one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters and the biggest historical contributor to cumulative carbon dioxide emissions, making its political position consequential for international climate action.

The absence of these leaders has also drawn attention to the level of political commitment from countries with significant influence over global emissions, energy markets, investment and climate finance.

‘AFRICA CAN’T AFFORD TO BE ABSENT’

Michael David, founder and executive director of the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), said the absence of influential political leaders from COP31 raises questions about the seriousness with which governments are treating the climate crisis.

David said the absence of African leaders, including Tinubu, was concerning given the continent’s vulnerability to climate impacts.

“At a time when the world is experiencing escalating climate emergencies, from devastating floods and prolonged droughts to extreme heat, food insecurity and biodiversity loss, the world needs stronger political leadership, not diminished representation,” he said.

He described climate diplomacy as more than an environmental engagement, arguing that it is also economic, development, food security and national security diplomacy.

“Africa cannot afford to be a passive observer while decisions affecting its future are being negotiated,” he said.

David urged African governments to demand predictable and accessible adaptation finance, increased investment in renewable energy, stronger support for climate-resilient agriculture and adequate funding to address loss and damage.

He also called for technology transfer, local manufacturing, skills development and green job creation, adding that Nigeria must demonstrate stronger presidential leadership and translate its climate commitments into concrete national action.

The environmental expert noted that attendance alone should not be the measure of climate leadership, saying countries whose presidents are absent must ensure their delegations are adequately empowered to defend national interests and deliver meaningful outcomes.

“The climate crisis will not wait for political convenience. Neither should our leaders,” he said.

The absence of African leaders is particularly concerning because the continent remains highly vulnerable to climate change despite contributing relatively little to historical global greenhouse gas emissions.

Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt are among the African countries whose presidents are missing from the opening high-level engagements. For Nigeria, the effects of climate change are increasingly visible through flooding, desertification, drought, extreme heat, declining agricultural productivity and threats to livelihoods.

The country also faces climate-related risks associated with changing rainfall and temperature patterns.

In August 2026, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) confirmed the onset of a strong El Niño event, warning that it would influence global climate patterns.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)subsequently projected that the event could persist through February 2027, with significant implications for rainfall and temperature patterns and increased risks of extreme weather.