President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has the potential to lead Africa’s endeavors in becoming a significant force in reducing greenhouse emissions.
Tinubu conveyed this message on Tuesday in an opinion piece on CNN, reaffirming the nation’s dedication to accomplishing this goal within a twenty-year timeframe.
”Nigeria has taken significant steps and acted decisively in enacting the Climate Change Act and committing to net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2070, ” Tinubu detailed.
Although acknowledging the country’s preparedness, he conceded that, as the President of a nation with a population exceeding 200 million and in his capacity as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he oversees a region grappling with security threats and socioeconomic challenges
”However, challenges persist as energy and food crises caused by conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have weakened the willingness of wealthy nations to cooperate with less developed economies fully.”
”This affects the ability of less developed countries to pursue national plans for achieving net zero emissions, even when those plans are detailed and achievable,” he said.
President Tinubu, who attended the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in November, emphasized the collaborative initiatives between Nigeria and Germany aimed at reducing gas flaring in the Niger Delta.
”In recent weeks, we signed an agreement with a German energy firm to massively convert flared gas into high-grade natural gas exports to Europe.”
”This is critical to reducing one of the major ways the country contributes to global greenhouse gases.”
He also said,” We are also looking to diversify our economy by engaging in friendly competition with Russia in the supply of energy to European markets. We can do it with natural gas and through green energy. This is why we are investing massively in both.”
”The truth is that we need partnerships for a new green economy in Africa. The European Union’s Global Gateway program and the US Build Back Better World initiative are potential resources we are keen to explore.”