Nigeria Ready to Lead Africa’s Green Transition, Says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has assured a global audience at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week that Nigeria is prepared to collaborate with other nations in building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable world.

Speaking on the second day of the event, themed “From Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity: Bridging Africa with the Global Energy Future,” Tinubu emphasized that no country can achieve sustainability alone. He highlighted the importance of collective action, knowledge sharing, and mutual support in addressing global environmental challenges.

“The fight against climate change is not just an environmental necessity but also a significant economic opportunity. It is an opportunity to reshape Africa’s trajectory and the global energy landscape,” Tinubu said. “As leaders, stakeholders, and citizens of our planet, we stand at a critical juncture in human history. To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate, and act decisively as one global community.”

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring that Nigeria’s development plans align with global sustainability goals while considering the country’s economic and political realities. He stressed that the Nigerian government has formulated actionable programs to meet these objectives, focusing on three key pillars: Energy Transition, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Development.

“My administration recognizes the need to reduce carbon emissions and transition to clean and renewable energy sources. This is central to our development strategy, which also aims to promote environmental sustainability and economic growth,” the President explained.

Energy Transition and Sustainable Practices

Tinubu detailed Nigeria’s energy transition plans, which focus on diversifying energy sources and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. He added that the government is prioritizing the shift to cleaner energy as a foundation for national growth. He highlighted initiatives such as:

• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure development to reduce reliance on petrol and diesel.
• Electric vehicle adoption, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and boosting the green economy.
• Harnessing solid minerals to support green energy transition efforts.

In addition to energy transition, Tinubu emphasized the importance of climate-smart agricultural practices to improve food security and reduce environmental damage. These include the government’s National Clean Cooking Policy, which seeks to promote clean energy and improve health, environmental, and socio-economic outcomes across the region.

Addressing Environmental Challenges

The President acknowledged the various environmental challenges facing Nigeria, including deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding, and pollution, which are threatening the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. He called on international partners to collaborate in mobilizing resources and leveraging technology to tackle these challenges.

“To promote a Green Economy in Africa, we must integrate sustainable practices in all sectors of our economy. This requires capital-intensive investments, and international support from multinational organizations, development partners, and individuals who share our vision of a sustainable and prosperous future,” he said.

Green Finance and Investment Opportunities

Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in green finance, noting that the country became the first in Africa to initiate funding for green projects through Sovereign Green Bond proceeds. He revealed that Nigeria is now preparing for the third issuance of this bond.

He urged global investors to partner with Nigeria, stressing that his administration is committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. “By partnering with global leaders and harnessing the power of technology, we are finding innovative solutions to our environmental challenges. Nigeria has abundant arable land for advanced agricultural practices, and a promising future for technologies like Artificial Intelligence,” he said.

Tinubu concluded by reiterating Nigeria’s readiness to lead Africa’s green transition, urging international collaboration to achieve a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all.