Ex-Lawmaker: Buhari Made Significant Contributions to Petroleum, Climate Sectors

Buhari’s Legacy in Climate Action, Petroleum Industry Profound — Ex-Lawmaker Onuigbo

Former House of Representatives member, Chief Sam Onuigbo, has praised the late former President Muhammadu Buhari for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s climate change efforts and petroleum sector during his eight-year administration.

Speaking in an interview with the Voice Of the People (VOP) in Abuja on Friday, Onuigbo highlighted Buhari’s commitment to environmental sustainability and industry reform.

According to Onuigbo — who sponsored the Climate Change Bill in the National Assembly — Buhari’s decision to sign the Bill into law, after years of inaction by previous administrations, marked a turning point for Nigeria’s environmental policy.

“The former president not only signed the Climate Change Bill into law but also made valuable inputs that ensured its inclusivity,” Onuigbo said. “This led to the creation of the National Council on Climate Change, the federal body now responsible for coordinating climate action across the country.”

Onuigbo also recalled Buhari’s active participation in international climate forums, including the historic COP21 in Paris and COP22 in Marrakesh.

“I was part of his delegation when he signed the Paris Agreement during the 71st UN General Assembly,” he noted. “Buhari understood the real dangers of climate change, likely influenced by his experiences as former governor of the North Eastern State and a native of Katsina — regions directly affected by desertification.”

In addition to climate action, Onuigbo commended Buhari for breaking a long-standing political impasse by signing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law in 2021, after nearly two decades of delay.

He said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was a major step toward transparency and reform in the oil and gas sector.

“The Act introduced clear tax and royalty structures, addressed gas flaring with stricter penalties, and promoted a more competitive petroleum market through deregulation,” Onuigbo explained.

He also highlighted the establishment of the Host Communities Development Trust under the Act, aimed at ensuring that oil-producing communities benefit directly from petroleum operations.

“President Buhari’s legacy in both climate change and the petroleum industry will be felt for generations,” Onuigbo added.