Abuja: Experts in the environment and energy sector gathered in Abuja to advance a ‘Just Transition’ energy plan that will benefit communities, industries, and vulnerable populations in the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative focuses on inclusive growth, ensuring that the transition to low-carbon energy (targeting net-zero by 2060) protects vulnerable populations, supports local jobs, and addresses environmental degradation from fossil fuels. The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), Centre for Climate Change and Development, and ODI Global United Kingdom (UK) collaborated at the Stakeholders Research Workshop on supporting Just Transition in Nigeria.
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, the President and Chairman Board of Trustee at SPP, emphasized that Energy Transition in Nigeria sits at the intersection of climate ambition and development necessity. He noted that the transition is not solely a technical decarbonization challenge but also an economic, political, and social one, with implications for jobs, welfare, economic growth, revenue, and political stability. He added that the workshop’s objective was to create a structured, inclusive, and intellectually rigorous space for key stakeholders to engage with the preliminary findings of the research.
Prof. Okereke highlighted the necessity of transitioning from oil, which will require careful planning, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and difficult policy decisions that balance economic stability with environmental sustainability. He remarked on Nigeria’s historical dependence on fossil fuel, which has supported state capacity, public finance, and foreign exchange planning.
Mr. Uche Nnamani, a Researcher at SPP, asserted that evidence-based policymaking is crucial to ensure that Nigeria’s green transition supports national development priorities, strengthens energy access, and positions the country for a sustainable low-carbon future. He stated that the aim was to provide actionable insights to guide policymakers, stakeholders, and investors towards building a resilient, low-carbon, and economically viable energy future for Nigeria.
Dr. Timothy Kelsall, a Senior Research Fellow at ODI Global UK, mentioned that they were examining different fuel subsidy scenarios and various energy transition scenarios in Nigeria.