President Bola Tinubu has failed to attend the World Leaders’ Summit of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), marking the third year in a row he has been absent from the high-level gathering.
The two-day Antalya Leaders’ Summit, held on November 11 and 12 in Turkey, brings together presidents, prime ministers and other heads of government to present their countries’ climate priorities, announce commitments and shape international climate negotiations.
The gathering is among the most significant political events at the annual climate conference, providing world leaders with an opportunity to influence discussions on climate finance, adaptation, energy transition and support for vulnerable nations.
Although several global leaders travelled to Antalya for the engagements, Tinubu was among those who did not attend.
His absence continues a trend that started at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024. The Nigerian president had attended COP28 in Dubai in 2023.
At COP28, Tinubu participated physically in the World Climate Action Summit but did not deliver his scheduled national statement. He, however, spoke at a high-level meeting on methane and other non-CO₂ greenhouse gases, where he reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to reducing methane emissions.
At COP29, then Minister of Environment and Ecological Management, Balarabe Lawal, delivered Nigeria’s national statement on the president’s behalf.
The same situation occurred at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in 2025. Although Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the conference, Tinubu did not personally participate in the leaders’ engagements.
At COP31, Nigeria is again without its president at the high-level gathering. The country was also absent from the list of nations scheduled to deliver national statements during the opening segment on November 11 and 12.
However, countries whose leaders do not make statements during the first segment can still do so when the high-level session resumes on November 17 and 18.
Tinubu’s campaign remarks on climate change
Tinubu’s repeated absence comes amid questions about his personal commitment to climate action, which date back to his presidential campaign.
In October 2022, while responding to a question on climate change at an interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna, Tinubu questioned Nigeria’s ability to fulfil its international climate obligations without financial assistance 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.
His comments attracted criticism, with some questioning his 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 fulfil international climate commitments without adequate financial support from developed nations.
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has made several climate-related commitments, including advancing the country’s energy transition and pushing for increased international climate financing.
Nevertheless, his repeated absence from high-level climate conferences has raised questions about the importance he personally attaches to climate action and the level of attention his administration gives the issue.
The development also comes as Nigeria approaches its January 2027 general election.
Several global leaders also miss COP31
Tinubu is not the only prominent leader missing from the COP31 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 not attending. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are also among those missing.
China is represented by Vice-President Han Zheng, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is attending the gathering.
Trump’s absence has attracted particular attention because of 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 second withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, which 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 position significant to global climate efforts.
The absence of these leaders has also raised concerns about the political commitment of countries with considerable influence over global emissions, energy markets, investments 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 how seriously governments are treating the climate crisis.
He expressed concern over the absence of African leaders, including Tinubu, noting that the continent remains particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“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.
David argued that climate diplomacy goes beyond environmental issues, describing it as an important part of 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.
He called on African governments to push for predictable and accessible adaptation financing, greater investment in renewable energy, increased support for climate-resilient agriculture and sufficient funding to address loss and damage.
He also advocated technology transfer, local manufacturing, skills development and the creation of green jobs, while urging Nigeria to demonstrate stronger presidential leadership and turn its climate commitments into practical national action.
The environmental expert added that attendance should not be the only measure of climate leadership. He stressed that countries whose presidents are absent must ensure their delegations have sufficient authority to protect national interests and secure 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 exposed to climate impacts 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.
In Nigeria, the effects of climate change are increasingly evident through flooding, desertification, drought, extreme heat, declining agricultural productivity and threats to livelihoods.
The country also faces climate-related challenges linked to 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 conditions.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) subsequently projected that the event could continue until February 2027, with significant effects on rainfall and temperature patterns and an increased risk of extreme weather events.