Nigeria sends 749 delegates to COP30

• Surge in climate delegation since 2021

By Grace Edet

Nigeria’s participation at global climate summits has surged sharply over the last decade, with the country sending 749 delegates to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, according to new figures shared by data intelligence firm Statisense on Sunday, November 16, 2025. The number, “still provisional”, represents Nigeria’s largest delegation in 10 years, surpassing the 634 delegates recorded at COP29 in Azerbaijan and more than six times the size of its COP27 team in Egypt.
The platform, citing the UNFCCC’s participant registry, showed a dramatic fluctuation in Nigeria’s presence at the annual UN climate talks. The delegation peaked at 1,411 participants at COP28 in Dubai, before dropping and rising again ahead of COP30.

A breakdown of Nigeria’s attendance over the last 10 COP meetings shows the following trend:
2025 (COP30, Brazil) — 749 delegates
2024 (COP29, Azerbaijan) — 634 delegates
2023 (COP28, UAE) — 1,411 delegates
2022 (COP27, Egypt) — 120 delegates
2021 (COP26, UK) — 87 delegates
2019 (COP25, Spain) — 53 delegates
2018 (COP24, Poland) — 107 delegates
2017 (COP23, Germany) — 46 delegates
2016 (COP22, Morocco) — 81 delegates
2015 (COP21, France) — 87 delegates
The data paints a picture of inconsistent participation, with Nigeria sending as few as 46 delegates in 2017 and as many as 1,411 in 2023. Analysts say the swings reflect varying government priorities, funding availability, and the geopolitical weight attached to each edition of the climate summit.
The size of the country’s climate delegation has often sparked public debate, with critics questioning the cost implications and the value of large delegations, while government officials argue that diverse representation is necessary for negotiations, side events, and trade-related climate engagements.
With the provisional list for COP30 already placing Nigeria among the largest delegations globally, the conversation about efficiency, cost, and coordination at these summits is expected to continue as the country navigates its climate commitments and international diplomatic posture.