What We Have Built for Osun
From policy frameworks to community programmes — a comprehensive account of the Office's work since inception.
Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe
UN-Certified Climate Change Expert
Expert-Led Leadership Changes Everything
2022–2023
Initial AppointmentProfessor Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe — a United Nations-certified climate change expert — was appointed as Consultant on Climate Change and Renewable Energy to the Osun State Government. She immediately began establishing the institutional architecture for climate governance where none previously existed.
2023–2024
Building the FoundationClimate governance frameworks drafted, policy consultations initiated, stakeholder networks built across MDAs, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The groundwork for Osun's transformation laid quietly but decisively.
September 12, 2025
Elevated to Director-GeneralGovernor Ademola Adeleke elevated Prof. Obuaku-Igwe to Director-General and Special Envoy to the Governor on Climate Change and Renewable Energy — reporting directly to the Governor with a mandate to drive high-level international partnerships and coordinate cross-sectoral implementation of Osun's Climate Action Plan.
— Official statement, Osun State Government, September 12, 2025
A Year-by-Year Account of Progress
From institutional silence to national recognition — every year marks a decisive leap forward.
Building the Architecture of Climate Governance
With no existing framework to build on, Prof. Obuaku-Igwe began constructing Osun's climate governance system from the ground up. Early work focused on stakeholder mapping, MDA engagement, and establishing the policy development pipeline that would yield transformative results.
- •Initial climate policy consultations begun across Osun's MDAs
- •Stakeholder network established across civil society, academia, and private sector
- •Climate governance architecture initiated where none previously existed
- •First interagency coordination meetings held on climate and renewable energy
Building the Architecture of Climate Governance
With no existing framework to build on, Prof. Obuaku-Igwe began constructing Osun's climate governance system from the ground up. Early work focused on stakeholder mapping, MDA engagement, and establishing the policy development pipeline that would yield transformative results.
- •Initial climate policy consultations begun across Osun's MDAs
- •Stakeholder network established across civil society, academia, and private sector
- •Climate governance architecture initiated where none previously existed
- •First interagency coordination meetings held on climate and renewable energy
First Policies Drafted. First Programmes Launched.
2024 saw Osun move from consultation to action — drafting its landmark policy documents and launching the first tangible community programmes. Though the national ranking still reflected the legacy of years of inaction (30th place), the foundations for a dramatic turnaround were already being laid.
- •Osun Climate Action Plan (CAP) — first full draft completed
- •Renewable Energy Policy drafted and circulated for validation
- •Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio developed
- •Circular Economy Framework drafted
- •IMOLE Solar Lantern Campaign — Phase 1 launched ("One Child, One Lantern")
- •Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) work commenced
- •Represented Osun at COP28 in Baku, Azerbaijan — securing climate-linked investments
- •Citizens Lobby Conference, Washington DC — international partnerships secured
- •Ranked 30th nationally (2024 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking) — the baseline from which the dramatic rise began
First Policies Drafted. First Programmes Launched.
2024 saw Osun move from consultation to action — drafting its landmark policy documents and launching the first tangible community programmes. Though the national ranking still reflected the legacy of years of inaction (30th place), the foundations for a dramatic turnaround were already being laid.
- •Osun Climate Action Plan (CAP) — first full draft completed
- •Renewable Energy Policy drafted and circulated for validation
- •Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio developed
- •Circular Economy Framework drafted
- •IMOLE Solar Lantern Campaign — Phase 1 launched ("One Child, One Lantern")
- •Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) work commenced
- •Represented Osun at COP28 in Baku, Azerbaijan — securing climate-linked investments
- •Citizens Lobby Conference, Washington DC — international partnerships secured
- •Ranked 30th nationally (2024 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking) — the baseline from which the dramatic rise began
Taking Climate Action to the People
Early 2025 marked the beginning of Osun's public climate movement — with major events, keynote engagements, and the first popular mobilisation of communities around climate issues.
- •January 2025: Faculty Week Personality Lecture — "Green Innovation for a Sustainable Future"
- •January 2025: NASFAT Youth SDGs Programme — "Faithfully Protecting the Climate"
- •February 2025: Keynote at Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN)
- •March 19, 2025: Climate Action Ambassador Award — Society for Climate Action in Nigeria (SCAN), OAU Ile-Ife
- •April 19, 2025: Osun's first Climate Carnival "Love the Earth" — Freedom Park, Osogbo (youth, schools, CSOs, persons with disabilities)
- •April 2025: Eko Waste Summit 2025 — Keynote Address
- •April 2025: International Summit on Climate Change and Air Pollution — Keynote
- •April 28–30, 2025: AICIS Stakeholder Engagement Workshop — Climate Change Project Development & Financing
Taking Climate Action to the People
Early 2025 marked the beginning of Osun's public climate movement — with major events, keynote engagements, and the first popular mobilisation of communities around climate issues.
- •January 2025: Faculty Week Personality Lecture — "Green Innovation for a Sustainable Future"
- •January 2025: NASFAT Youth SDGs Programme — "Faithfully Protecting the Climate"
- •February 2025: Keynote at Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN)
- •March 19, 2025: Climate Action Ambassador Award — Society for Climate Action in Nigeria (SCAN), OAU Ile-Ife
- •April 19, 2025: Osun's first Climate Carnival "Love the Earth" — Freedom Park, Osogbo (youth, schools, CSOs, persons with disabilities)
- •April 2025: Eko Waste Summit 2025 — Keynote Address
- •April 2025: International Summit on Climate Change and Air Pollution — Keynote
- •April 28–30, 2025: AICIS Stakeholder Engagement Workshop — Climate Change Project Development & Financing
From Drafts to Official Policy — Osun Leads the South-West
Mid-2025 saw the formal launch of Osun's suite of climate policy documents at the South-West Post-Legislative Roundtable, and a deepening of engagement with federal institutions and academic bodies.
- •May 2025: Keynote at National Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy
- •June 3–4, 2025: Post-Legislative Roundtable (South-West) — official launch of Osun State Climate Action Plan (CAP), Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, Draft Renewable Energy Policy Document
- •June 2025: Soil Science Society of Nigeria Conference — "Soil, Sweat and Sustainability"
- •June 2025: Keynote at OAU — "Accelerating Climate Action for Sustainable Livelihood"
- •Circular Economy Stakeholder Meeting with OWMA — first of its kind in Osun
- •Osun's first GHG Inventory and sub-national accounting framework initiated
- •Climate desk officers trained and deployed across all MDAs
From Drafts to Official Policy — Osun Leads the South-West
Mid-2025 saw the formal launch of Osun's suite of climate policy documents at the South-West Post-Legislative Roundtable, and a deepening of engagement with federal institutions and academic bodies.
- •May 2025: Keynote at National Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy
- •June 3–4, 2025: Post-Legislative Roundtable (South-West) — official launch of Osun State Climate Action Plan (CAP), Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, Draft Renewable Energy Policy Document
- •June 2025: Soil Science Society of Nigeria Conference — "Soil, Sweat and Sustainability"
- •June 2025: Keynote at OAU — "Accelerating Climate Action for Sustainable Livelihood"
- •Circular Economy Stakeholder Meeting with OWMA — first of its kind in Osun
- •Osun's first GHG Inventory and sub-national accounting framework initiated
- •Climate desk officers trained and deployed across all MDAs
2,000+ Trained. 350+ SMEs. A Historic Promotion.
The third quarter of 2025 delivered the Office's most tangible community impact to date — and culminated in Prof. Obuaku-Igwe's historic elevation to Director-General, the first such appointment in Osun's history.
- •August 13–14, 2025: Waste-to-Wealth Training Pilot — plastics-to-pellets conversion showcased
- •August 2025: Imole Circular Economy & Waste-to-Wealth Workshop — 300+ women trained
- •August 2025: NASFAT SDGs International Youth Dialogue
- •August 2025: National Youth Council of Nigeria International Youth Day Forum
- •2,000+ youths and women trained in circular economy initiatives (cumulative)
- •350+ green SMEs created; 400+ waste management jobs formalised
- •Osun State Recycling Hub officially established (with FBRA & Waste Swap Nigeria)
- •Foundation stone laid for Osun's first Recycling and Circular Economy Hub, Osogbo
- •September 2025: Osun State Education Convergence — Keynote
- •September 2025: Osun Youth Stakeholder Forum — Keynote
- •September 12, 2025: Prof. Obuaku-Igwe elevated to Director-General & Special Envoy to the Governor
2,000+ Trained. 350+ SMEs. A Historic Promotion.
The third quarter of 2025 delivered the Office's most tangible community impact to date — and culminated in Prof. Obuaku-Igwe's historic elevation to Director-General, the first such appointment in Osun's history.
- •August 13–14, 2025: Waste-to-Wealth Training Pilot — plastics-to-pellets conversion showcased
- •August 2025: Imole Circular Economy & Waste-to-Wealth Workshop — 300+ women trained
- •August 2025: NASFAT SDGs International Youth Dialogue
- •August 2025: National Youth Council of Nigeria International Youth Day Forum
- •2,000+ youths and women trained in circular economy initiatives (cumulative)
- •350+ green SMEs created; 400+ waste management jobs formalised
- •Osun State Recycling Hub officially established (with FBRA & Waste Swap Nigeria)
- •Foundation stone laid for Osun's first Recycling and Circular Economy Hub, Osogbo
- •September 2025: Osun State Education Convergence — Keynote
- •September 2025: Osun Youth Stakeholder Forum — Keynote
- •September 12, 2025: Prof. Obuaku-Igwe elevated to Director-General & Special Envoy to the Governor
30th to 6th. COP29. The World Takes Notice.
The final quarter of 2025 delivered Osun's most celebrated achievement — a 24-place leap in the national climate governance ranking, announced by the Governor himself, alongside Osun's powerful showing at COP29 in Baku.
- •October 2025: Independence Day Students Leadership Conference — Keynote
- •October 14, 2025: Osun climbs from 30th to 6th in National Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking — scoring 265 points, second-best in South-West after Lagos
- •October 27, 2025: Stakeholder Dialogue on Methane Emission Reduction and Climate Data Mapping, Abuja
- •November 2025: COP29 side event, Baku, Azerbaijan — Osun showcases circular economy transformation of Onibueja dumpsite into green park
- •November 8, 2025: Climate Action Ambassador Award — Buss News
- •Multiple awards received from SCAN, FAN, CityScope Africa, YOA Foundation, and others
- •"Power from Plenty" Circular Economy Workshop — December 2025
30th to 6th. COP29. The World Takes Notice.
The final quarter of 2025 delivered Osun's most celebrated achievement — a 24-place leap in the national climate governance ranking, announced by the Governor himself, alongside Osun's powerful showing at COP29 in Baku.
- •October 2025: Independence Day Students Leadership Conference — Keynote
- •October 14, 2025: Osun climbs from 30th to 6th in National Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking — scoring 265 points, second-best in South-West after Lagos
- •October 27, 2025: Stakeholder Dialogue on Methane Emission Reduction and Climate Data Mapping, Abuja
- •November 2025: COP29 side event, Baku, Azerbaijan — Osun showcases circular economy transformation of Onibueja dumpsite into green park
- •November 8, 2025: Climate Action Ambassador Award — Buss News
- •Multiple awards received from SCAN, FAN, CityScope Africa, YOA Foundation, and others
- •"Power from Plenty" Circular Economy Workshop — December 2025
Osun as a Model for Subnational Climate Action
2026 opens with Osun firmly established as Nigeria's model for subnational climate governance. Governor Adeleke, represented by Prof. Obuaku-Igwe, presented Osun's climate vision at COP30 in Belém, Brazil — telling the world that what began as a neglected portfolio is now a continental blueprint.
- •February 10, 2026: NiMet 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction — official engagement, Abuja
- •April 2026: Keynote Plenary — International Conference on Public Health and Wellness (ICPHWN 2026), Osun State University
- •April 2026: Federal Ministry of Environment Forum on Plastic-to-Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Innovation
- •May 3, 2026: Launch of Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour
- •COP30, Belém, Brazil — Prof. Obuaku-Igwe represented Governor Adeleke; Osun State side event showcased renewable energy, e-mobility, and circular economy innovation
- •10,000+ solar lanterns distributed (cumulative, IMOLE Campaign)
- •2,500+ green jobs created across clean energy, recycling, and sustainable mobility
- •Osun now recognised as a model for subnational climate action — cited in national policy discussions
- •Ongoing: OSRETT (Osun Renewable Energy Transition Track), Clean Cookstoves, E-Bike expansion
- •Ongoing: Climate education book "Our Planet, Our Responsibility" — in schools rollout
- •Ongoing: Imole Green Microfinance Model for climate entrepreneurs
Osun as a Model for Subnational Climate Action
2026 opens with Osun firmly established as Nigeria's model for subnational climate governance. Governor Adeleke, represented by Prof. Obuaku-Igwe, presented Osun's climate vision at COP30 in Belém, Brazil — telling the world that what began as a neglected portfolio is now a continental blueprint.
- •February 10, 2026: NiMet 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction — official engagement, Abuja
- •April 2026: Keynote Plenary — International Conference on Public Health and Wellness (ICPHWN 2026), Osun State University
- •April 2026: Federal Ministry of Environment Forum on Plastic-to-Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Innovation
- •May 3, 2026: Launch of Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour
- •COP30, Belém, Brazil — Prof. Obuaku-Igwe represented Governor Adeleke; Osun State side event showcased renewable energy, e-mobility, and circular economy innovation
- •10,000+ solar lanterns distributed (cumulative, IMOLE Campaign)
- •2,500+ green jobs created across clean energy, recycling, and sustainable mobility
- •Osun now recognised as a model for subnational climate action — cited in national policy discussions
- •Ongoing: OSRETT (Osun Renewable Energy Transition Track), Clean Cookstoves, E-Bike expansion
- •Ongoing: Climate education book "Our Planet, Our Responsibility" — in schools rollout
- •Ongoing: Imole Green Microfinance Model for climate entrepreneurs
Taking Climate Action to the Royal Fathers
Recognising the authority and community influence of Osun's traditional rulers, the Office has engaged Obas and royal fathers across the state — embedding climate awareness into the highest levels of traditional governance.
Oluwu of Kuta
Oba (Dr.) Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude (Tegbosun III)
Alado of Lado
Oba AbdulHakeem Olalekan Ajiboye
Ogboni of Ipole Ijesha
Oba Oyebade Samson Kehinde Oyeleye
Osun at the World Stage
Osun at COP29
Our side event at COP29 was a resounding success. We showcased Osun State's bold climate action journey — including our commitment to circular economy through the transformation of the Onibueja dumpsite into a green park — and forged new partnerships driving sustainability.
Osun at COP30
Prof. Obuaku-Igwe represented Governor Adeleke at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. At the well-attended Osun State side event, she showcased the state's pioneering work in subnational climate action — presenting Osun's leadership in renewable energy, e-mobility, and circular economy innovation to an international audience of climate negotiators, investors, and development partners.
More of What We Have Achieved
Youth Empowerment Green Clubs
Launched the Youth Empowerment Green Clubs Initiative in schools across Osun State.
Imole Green Microfinance Model
Designed the Imole Green Microfinance Model to support climate entrepreneurs and green SMEs.
Abattoir Waste-to-Energy Feasibility
Commissioned a feasibility study for Abattoir Waste-to-Energy systems in Osun State.
Imole Climate Action Dialogue (ICAD)
Introduced weekly ICAD sessions to sustain policy thought leadership and public engagement.
MDA Climate Integration Workshops
Facilitated training with MDAs on integrating climate-smart solutions into existing programmes.
Circular Economy Stakeholder Meeting
Osun's first stakeholder meeting on Circular Economy in partnership with OWMA.
Governance & Policy for Nigeria's Hydrogen Economy
Prof. Obuaku-Igwe delivered a panel discussion on governance and policy at the Nigeria Hydrogen Conference, emphasising the need for clear frameworks to drive hydrogen adoption — policies that prioritise sustainability, investment incentives, and local capacity building. Governance, she argued, is key to unlocking the hydrogen economy.
“Governance is key to unlocking the hydrogen economy.”— Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe
Foundation Stone Laid for Osun's First Recycling Hub
The Osun State Government officially laid the foundation for the state's first Recycling and Circular Economy Hub in Osogbo — a groundbreaking step towards sustainability. The event had the full support of the Commissioner for Environment, the Permanent Secretary, the OWMA General Manager, and the Special Adviser on Sanitation, reinforcing collective vision for a greener Osun.
“This is just the beginning — Osun is leading the way.”— Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe