BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Ahead of the forthcoming 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Nigeria has taken cogent steps to attract investment into the climate and energy sectors.
To this end, the Federal Government advocated stronger access to climate finance and a more effective pathway for converting global climate finance commitments into deployable capital for developing countries.
Director General of NCCC, Mrs Tenioye Majekodunmi stated this while briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, on Nigeria’s preparation ahead of the conference scheduled for Antalya, Türkiye with the theme: “Nigeria at COP31: From Commitment to Implementation.”
Aside from seeking more investments and access to climate finance, Nigeria is expected to advance a just and economically beneficial transition that recognises the development and energy-access realities, while strengthening opportunities around carbon markets and maintaining environmental integrity.
Also, Nigeria intends to promote green industrialisation, value addition and economic diversification, including opportunities around critical minerals and emerging green value chains.
Majekodunmi stated that climate transition must deliver prosperity, adding that Nigeria's climate transition will not be measured only in tonnes of carbon avoided but in jobs created, businesses built and incomes improved.”
840,000 jobs
The Federal Government has set a target of achieving 840,000 jobs by 2060, with an estimated 340,000 net new jobs by 2030, as Nigeria moves to implement the Energy Transition Plan
Majekodunmi said: “Our Energy Transition Plan estimates around 340,000 net new jobs by 2030, rising to 840,000 by 2060, concentrated in power, cooking and transport, which is an important agenda under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda.
“These numbers are important because they remind us that climate action is not simply an environmental agenda. It is an economic opportunity.”
While requesting the participation of Nigerian businesses in the climate conference, she enjoined investors to see Nigeria as a destination for climate-aligned capital.
The DG called on young Nigerians to tap into the opportunities packaged in the emerging green economy, just as she appealed to communities to experience the benefits of the transition.
Better negotiators, media
As Nigeria prepares to negotiate, partner and invest ahead of COP31, the Federal Government has strengthened the capacity of negotiators and media to embrace inclusive negotiation and reporting.
The DG added: “We have strengthened the capacity of our negotiators and media. We are building the policy and institutional environment for investment. And we are going to COP with a clear understanding that implementation must be the measure of ambition.
“Our message is simple: From commitment to implementation. From finance to investment. From transition to prosperity. From COP31 to Africa's COP32.”
As Nigeria approaches Africa’s COP32 in 2027, Majekodunmi informed that stakeholders must ensure that Africa's climate agenda remains firmly connected to development, energy access, industrialisation, jobs and investment.
“Our responsibility is to create the certainty, partnerships and opportunities that allow capital to follow - and allow climate action to deliver real prosperity for Nigerians,” she noted.
The Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Comrade Yussuf Kelani appreciated the media for effective coverage of climate events especially during Nigeria's participation at COPs.
He listed improved healthcare facilities and access to independent electricity as some of the benefits that Nigeria received from participating in COPs.
NCCC Director of Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr Micheal Ivenso noted that implementing climate actions should not focus on emission-reduction alone but should translate to jobs, businesses, livelihoods and how communities respond to climate change.
He called on the media to evolve and adapt to a reporting mechanism that speaks directly to communities, while addressing issues on climate change.
Nigeria’s participation at the climate conference presents an opportunity to convert climate ambition into livelihood opportunities for millions of Nigerians, while strengthening the economy.
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