The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to advancing renewable energy and achieving net zero emissions by 2060 through robust policies and collaborations. The Director of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, who was represented by Edidiong Aboje at the Nigeria Climate Change Forum hosted by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, themed; Accelerating the Transition towards a Net-Zero Future in Africa, on Tuesday in Abuja, highlighted the strides made in integrating renewable energy into Nigeria’s climate action strategies. Speaking at the event, Abiola-Awe pointed to several key policies, including the National Climate Change Policy, which provides a framework for incorporating renewable energy into Nigeria’s climate agenda.
She noted that in 2023, the Ministry partnered with the Society for Climate and Prosperity to publish a report mapping the impact of climate actions across sub-nationals. “This report underscores the actions taken by states to advance renewable energy and strategy implementation,” she said.
She also referenced the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy, which aims to enhance renewable energy contributions from 13% in 2015 to 23% by 2025 and 36% by 2030, as well as the 2021 Climate Change Act, which establishes a comprehensive legal framework for integrating climate action into national development strategies.
Highlighting other initiatives, Abiola-Awe discussed the Nigeria Renewable Energy Master Plan, which targets increasing renewable energy’s share of total energy consumption to 10% by 2025, and the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which focuses on achieving net zero emissions by 2060 while addressing energy poverty. She acknowledged challenges such as high upfront costs, limited financing mechanisms for local entrepreneurs, and inadequate infrastructure but emphasized ongoing efforts to tackle these hurdles.
“The Department of Climate Change, with support from the European Union and UNIDO, recently hosted a Climate Renewable Energy Investment Forum, bringing together key stakeholders to scale up clean tech solutions and support small-scale enterprises,” she added. The Executive Director of Access Bank, Gregory Ovie Jobome, underscored the private sector’s role in supporting Nigeria’s climate goals. Through our Sustainable Finance Group, we design and co-create products that support renewable energy and manage risks carefully,” he explained. Jobome emphasized Access Bank’s commitment to capacity building and funding for renewable energy entrepreneurs, noting that collaboration across sectors is essential to achieve net zero by 2060. He further highlighted Access Bank’s participation in the global Climate Finance Partnership, which enables the bank to leverage international funds for renewable energy projects in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Teseer Ugbor, stressed the importance of raising public awareness about climate change. “Many Nigerians are still in denial about climate change, but it’s a reality we must adapt to,” he said. Ugbor expressed optimism that with support from international partners and climate funds, Nigeria can make significant progress toward its goals. Alero Balogun, Senior Vice President of Corporate Services at Oando Clean Energy Limited, called for localizing renewable energy production to maximize benefits.
“Nigeria has the raw materials for battery production. Instead of exporting these resources, we should process and manufacture them locally, creating jobs and boosting the economy,” she said. Balogun also revealed plans for manufacturing electric vehicles in Nigeria as part of long-term efforts to achieve climate goals. Additionally, she highlighted Oando’s collaboration with local universities to develop a skilled workforce and innovative technologies that align with Nigeria’s renewable energy ambitions.
