Jobs/Appointments
Tanzanian Heads UN Convention on Biological Diversity
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, a national of the United Republic of Tanzania in East Africa, has been appointed as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
She is a lawyer based in Montreal, Canada and she takes on her new role after more than a decade in leadership positions at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNDP) – and at a crucial time.
She has published several articles related to international environmental law, compliance and enforcement of conventions and developed, among others, a number of multilateral environmental agreements negotiation tools, handbooks and guidelines currently used by UNEP in its capacity-building programmes.
By her appointment, Elizabeth Mrema becomes the first woman from Africa to lead the intergovernmental body.
She will oversee the creation of a global biodiversity agreement for the next decade. It, therefore, means she has a mighty task ahead of her, leading countries as they negotiate new biodiversity targets.
The biological diversity was created by a UN treaty, signed into force by nations in 1992, and helps to set global targets to conserve biodiversity.
The previous global biodiversity targets, signed in 2010 and called the Aichi targets, are widely agreed to have failed to stop species loss.
Some scientists are now renewing calls for a single target to halt species extinction. But others worry that an extinction target would neglect other important goals of the agreements, such as ensuring that benefits from biological resources are shared.
“One could say that I have been appointed at a bad time for biodiversity, considering that the whole world is just emerging from, or still in, lockdown,” she says. “But at the same time, I see it as a major opportunity, as biodiversity is being discussed more than ever before.”
The new coronavirus, which originated in animals before it spread to people, has also brought renewed calls to stop the trading of wildlife, provoking long-simmering tensions between those who want to conserve species, and those pushing for their sustainable use.
There is greater awareness of the impact that human activities can have on nature, and of the connection between human health and biodiversity.
The interference, through deforestation, agricultural expansion, livestock intensification and habitat fragmentation, has exposed wild animals and brought them into closer contact with people, which has resulted in the spillover of pathogens and zoonotic diseases, human-to-human transmission through trade and tourism, and the explosive pandemic currently in the world, explains Elizabeth Mrema.
But the coronavirus pandemic has brought these issues to the fore and has emphasized discussions about how to prevent future pandemics.
Closing wet markets and banning wildlife trading totally would negatively affect communities who depend on wild animals. The consumers and buyers of wild animals are not poor people; they are the affluent communities in the cities. A total ban would also open the door to illegal trade in wildlife.
“Instead, we need more hygienic practices in wet markets that continue to operate, and regulated wildlife trade, within the framework of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“We need to ensure the sustainable consumption of species for those communities who rely on this, while also curbing illegal trade.
“It is a delicate balance. Countries cannot deal with these problems on their own. We need international cooperation,” she added.
The current biodiversity targets have largely failed. The reasons for those failures are now well-known, and there is a need building on those lessons into the draft global biodiversity framework.
Unlike the previous goals, the major difference this time is that all stakeholders, including youth, business and indigenous groups have contributed to various iterations of the draft.
The parties are still the decision-makers who will finally adopt the framework, but they have realized that they need the engagement of other groups during the negotiations and in implementation.
It has to involve environmental ministries and departments, and this time, health, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, planning and finance ministries are getting involved.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Following the resignation of Mr Adebayo Adelabu as the Minister of Power a few days ago, President Bola Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Tegbe as his replacement.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Thursday that Mr Tegbe’s name has been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, enhance grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Upon confirmation, he is expected to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians in the power sector.
Mr Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), resigned last week to pursue his dream of becoming the Governor of Oyo State.
His replacement is also from Oyo State. He is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors, according to the statement today.
He is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led wide-ranging initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance. He has also advised key government institutions and private sector organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.
He is at present the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he is responsible for strengthening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.
The NCSP also coordinates engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development in line with FOCAC objectives.
Mr Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has named Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, the latest in the cabinet reshufflement.
Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu replaces Mr Yusuf Tuggar, who recently resigned to pursue the Bauchi governorship election ambition in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Sola Enikanolaiye has been appointed as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the position previously occupied by Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that until his nomination, Mr Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, served as senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
He is a career diplomat with over three decades of service in Nigeria’s foreign service.
He has previously served as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi.
President Tinubu said the appointments are part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture, improve efficiency and deepen global engagement.
He urged the appointees to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, strengthen regional stability and ensure the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
“The President noted that these appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships,” the statement read.
Recent ministerial changes under President Tinubu reflect a cautious but deliberate attempt to recalibrate governance and strengthen economic management. In a minor cabinet reshuffle approved in April 2026, key portfolios were affected, most notably the removal of Finance Minister, Mr Wale Edun; and the Housing Minister, Mr Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
Their exits paved the way for new appointments, including the elevation of Mr Taiwo Oyedele to oversee the critical finance ministry, a move widely interpreted as an effort to inject fresh direction into the country’s economic policy framework.
Beyond the cabinet reshuffle, the administration has also undertaken broader leadership adjustments across strategic sectors, particularly in energy and regulation, signalling a pattern of continuous review within government ranks, including the replacement of Mr Saidu Mohammed with Mr Rabiu Umar as the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), replacing Mr Saidu Mohammed.
This decision follows ongoing efforts to restructure the regulatory framework of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream oil sector.
The appointment was announced by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, with the nomination subject to Senate confirmation.
The NMDPRA is responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of petroleum operations, including gas processing, transportation, and retail.
Mr Abdullahi, until his appointment, was the Group Sales and Marketing Director at Dangote Cement, part of the Dangote Group, which has interests in food, cement, energy, and other ventures.
He started his career in Oando Plc and rapidly rose to hold different management roles within the marketing business, and led the Sales and Marketing Transformation plan successfully.
In 2014, he moved to Lafarge Africa as the Energy and Power Director and subsequently managed the Strategy and Business Development portfolio for West Africa, where he led the development and execution of critical projects within Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. In 2016, he became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ashaka Cement Plc and spearheaded the turnaround of the business until his departure in 2019 to join Dangote Industries Ltd as Group Chief Commercial Officer.
A graduate of Accounting from Bayero University, Kano and an Alumnus of Harvard Business School. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors.
According to the Presidency, Mr Abdullahi’s appointment was made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity.
“President Tinubu thanks the outgoing Authority Chief Executive for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.
“The President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth,” the statement added.
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