Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed president of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), marking a new chapter in the organisation’s leadership.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday during the foundation’s 37th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.
Osinbajo succeeds Philip Asiodu, who stepped down after serving as president of the board for more than 25 years. During the meeting, the chairperson of the NCF National Executive Council, R.I.B. Adebiyi, praised Asiodu for his longstanding contributions to environmental conservation and institutional development, describing his tenure as one defined by “wisdom, foresight and an unwavering commitment” to protecting Nigeria’s natural environment.
Welcoming Osinbajo to his new role, Adebiyi said his extensive experience in public service, climate policy and sustainable development positions him to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth.
She noted that his leadership of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan during his tenure as vice-president, along with his advocacy for climate action, would strengthen the foundation’s efforts to expand conservation initiatives and deepen partnerships with government, the private sector and local communities.
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2015 to 2023 and played a key role in shaping the country’s climate and energy policies, including the development of the Energy Transition Plan aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. He also chaired the National Council on Climate Change and promoted the integration of biodiversity and natural capital into national development planning.
In his acceptance speech, Osinbajo pledged to build on the achievements of the foundation’s past leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing environmental conservation and biodiversity protection in Nigeria.
He said he looked forward to working with the board, management, staff, volunteers and development partners to strengthen the foundation’s mission and secure a healthier environment for future generations. He also highlighted the growing impact of climate change and stressed the need for innovation and collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
Founded in 1980, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation is one of the country’s foremost environmental non-governmental organisations, focusing on biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, environmental education and sustainable natural resource management. Under its new leadership, the organisation said it plans to scale up nationwide programmes aimed at protecting forests, wetlands, wildlife and local livelihoods.
