LAGOS/Nigeria: In a significant recognition of his remarkable contributions to the world of science and his tireless efforts in advancing scientific knowledge in developing countries, Nigerian-born Professor Chukwumerije Okereke has been elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (UNESCO-TWAS).
Prof. Okereke, a distinguished academic holding the position of Professor in Global Governance and Public Policy within the School for Policy Studies at Bristol University in the United Kingdom, and serving as the Director of the Center for Climate Change and Development at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike in Nigeria, has been lauded for his profound influence on global climate governance and international development, with a specific focus on justice dimensions within the international climate regime and the transition towards a green economy.
His illustrious career is marked by a rich history of groundbreaking research, aimed at comprehending and addressing systemic barriers to economic and social inclusion in the context of climate policy and green economy transitions.
Prof. Okereke’s scholarship has encompassed several critical areas. First, he has delved into the complex dynamics of justice and its impact on global climate governance, shedding light on the implications for climate-resilient sustainable development in developing countries. Secondly, his work has significantly advanced the theory of climate governance, with a keen focus on the pivotal roles played by non-nation state actors in shaping climate policies. Finally, he has been at the forefront of driving knowledge and practice in climate governance and green growth transitions in Africa, leaving an indelible mark on public policy and practice across the continent.
The Professor’s influence extends beyond academia. He has worked collaboratively with a diverse array of stakeholders to harness research for shaping climate governance in Africa. His endeavors have ranged from drafting climate change legislation in Nigeria to formulating a long-term low-carbon development strategy for the nation. He has also contributed to designing the African Union’s Adaptation Initiative and played a pivotal role in crafting Africa’s first national green growth plan for the Government of Rwanda.
To further solidify his academic standing and research leadership on an international scale, Prof. Okereke has held leadership roles in numerous prestigious global Scientist Assessment Projects and networks. Notably, he has served as the Coordinating Lead Author of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III Sixth Assessment Report.
Aside from his academic responsibilities, Professor Okereke has been a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a Senior Academic Visitor at the University of Oxford. He has also made significant contributions as a leading member of the Global Earth Commission’s Safe and Just Transformation Working Group and as the Coordinator of the African Forum on Climate Change, Energy, and Development (AFCEED), the preeminent African network of scholars, policy makers, and practitioners dedicated to addressing climate change and sustainability transitions in Africa.
Upon receiving the prestigious UNESCO-TWAS Fellowship, Professor Okereke expressed his delight and reflected on his personal journey from a rural village in Old Eastern Nigeria, highlighting his deep-rooted commitment to achieving climate justice for vulnerable countries worldwide.
Okereke stated, “I am delighted to have been elected Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (UNESCO-TWAS). It means a lot to me because I have always been driven by a desire to highlight the challenges faced by developing countries in addressing climate change while also pursuing economic growth as well as the opportunities to leverage climate action to build resilience and achieve economic growth.”
He continued, “Developing countries face multiple challenges related to colonial legacy and unjust international economic order which work to the advantage of advanced countries. I believe that approaching climate governance from the framework of justice enables us to tackle, not just the issue of climate pollution, but also the more fundamental question of global equity and fairness needed to ensure that everyone can lead a decent life regardless of where they are born.”
Reflecting on his roots, he shared, “I grew up in a very rural village in Old Eastern Nigeria. I played naked under the rain, swam and drank water from the brownish local river, went to school for the most time barefooted, studied under the big akparata tree in the local school, hunted rats and rabbits with my age-mates and sang with other children under the moonlight. I experienced the joy of growing up in the natural environment and am passionate to see that economic development for all the good things it brings does not impose existential risk on our environment and the lives of people on the planet.”
Concluding on a note of determination, he emphasized, “This recognition encourages me to continue to work, as there is still quite a long way to go to achieve climate justice for the vulnerable countries of the world.”
Prof. Okereke now joins the ranks of the distinguished few, as one of the 47 Fellows elected by The World Academy of Sciences, solidifying his status as a global luminary in the realm of climate governance and international development.
