Project Lead

Dr. Salisu Dahiru is a distinguished environmental scientist, climate policy expert, and senior public sector leader with over three decades of experience in environmental governance, sustainable development, and international climate diplomacy.

He served as the Pioneer Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), where he lead the coordination of Nigeria’s national climate action framework, including policy development, climate finance mobilization, and implementation of the Climate Change Act.

Dr. Dahiru also served as Federal Director of Forestry and played a pivotal role in pioneering and leading Nigeria’s REDD+ Programme (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), positioning forest conservation and sustainable land use as central pillars of the country’s climate mitigation strategy. He also represented Nigeria as a focal point and lead negotiator under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

In addition, he has led major World Bank–supported environmental and resilience initiatives, strengthening watershed management, ecosystem restoration, and community adaptation across several states.

As Project Lead for PEN Nigeria, Dr. Dahiru provides strategic oversight and technical leadership, ensuring that the organisation’s programmes align with national development priorities and global best practices in climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and inclusive growth.

He is widely respected for his strategic vision, policy depth, and commitment to advancing a climate-resilient and sustainable future for Nigeria.