Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed as the new president of the board of trustees of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
According to The Cable, the announcement was made on Wednesday, July 8, during the foundation’s annual general meeting in Lagos.
At the event, Osinbajo was officially confirmed as the successor to Philip Asiodu, who stepped down after serving as chairman of the board for more than 25 years.
Osinbajo was Nigeria’s 14th vice president, serving from 2015 to 2023 under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Asiodu’s legacy at NCF
During the meeting, R.I.B. Adebiyi, chairperson of the foundation’s national executive council (NEC), acknowledged Asiodu’s long-standing contributions to the organisation.
It was said that his years of leadership were marked by “wisdom, foresight and an unwavering commitment” to environmental conservation.
She stated that the foundation recorded significant institutional growth during his tenure, while also strengthening its commitment to forest restoration and broader conservation initiatives.
Asiodu, who once served as chief economic adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, consistently championed Nigeria’s ambition of attaining 25 per cent forest cover as well as the Great Green Wall initiative.
The NCF also attributed major progress in habitat preservation, community-based conservation initiatives, and national environmental policy advocacy to his leadership.
Why NCF chose Osinbajo
Adebiyi said Osinbajo possesses the experience and leadership needed to guide the foundation through its next stage of development, highlighting his accomplishments in public service and his involvement in climate-related policies.
She said: “We are honoured to welcome Professor Yemi Osinbajo as president of our board of trustees.
“His (Osinbajo’s) track record as vice-president, his leadership of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, and his advocacy for climate action and sustainable development make him uniquely qualified to guide NCF into the future. We believe his experience at the highest levels of government will help us scale our impact for people and nature.”
The foundation further recognised Osinbajo’s contributions toward ensuring forests, biodiversity, and natural capital became part of Nigeria’s national development agenda.
Adebiyi explained that the leadership transition comes as the NCF prepares to broaden its conservation programmes, with renewed emphasis on safeguarding Nigeria’s forests, wetlands, wildlife, and rural livelihoods.
She added that Osinbajo is expected to strengthen collaboration between the foundation, government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and local communities to expand conservation efforts nationwide.
Speaking after accepting the position, Osinbajo promised to build on the accomplishments of those who previously led the foundation while promoting stronger partnerships with stakeholders, Guardian noted.
He also praised the Foundation’s trustees, members, management, staff, volunteers and development partners for their continued commitment to sustaining its conservation programmes over the years.
