President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigeria’s rapid transition to renewable energy will result in significant job creation, with up to 340,000 new jobs being created by 2030 and up to 840,000 by 2060.
The president said so at a behind-closed-doors meeting of leaders on climate change, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, ahead of the start of COP27 in November this year.
Buhari renewed Nigeria’s commitment to ensure a rapid and strategic transition to renewable energy in response to global efforts to protect the environment.
He stressed that in August this year his government launched a homegrown, data-backed, multi-pronged energy transition plan that outlines the country’s framework for achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
While discussing some details of the plan, the President said that by using new technologies and alternative fuels such as hydrogen, bioenergy and energy from waste, a path would be created for accelerated decarbonization and use of energy systems from new and diverse technologies towards a low-carbon development while aligning with our broader development aspirations in a fair and equitable manner.
He said: “The plan also sets out a timeline and framework for achieving emissions reductions in five key sectors: energy, cooking, oil and gas, transport and industry,” adding, “Gas will play a crucial role as a transition fuel.” in Nigeria’s net zero path, particularly in the power and cooking sectors.
“The goals of the Clean Energy Plan include modernizing the energy sector through large-scale integration of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and energy conservation; and is expected to generate 250 gigawatts of installed power capacity, composed of over 90% renewable energy.”
President Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman Femi Adesina, said that careful implementation would create significant investment opportunities as it would encourage the creation and expansion of industries related to solar energy, hydrogen and electric vehicles.
He commended Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his tireless efforts in preparing for COP27 and assured him of the Nigerian government’s support.
