By Odegbile Abisola
Experts have called for increased investment in local capacity development, stronger regulatory frameworks and strategic collaboration to drive Nigeria’s decarbonization agenda, stressing that the transition to cleaner energy must promote economic growth, expand energy access and create jobs.
The call was made on Thursday at the Oriental News Nigeria 2026 Conference held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, where policymakers, regulators, energy experts, investors and industry stakeholders gathered to discuss carbon capture and broad regulatory reforms needed to accelerate decarbonization in Nigeria’s extractive industry.
Speaking during the conference, Mr. Gboyega Ayoade, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said Nigeria’s decarbonization efforts must reflect the country’s development realities and should not be limited to reducing emissions alone.
According to him, “Decarbonization cannot be reduced to a narrow conversation about emissions alone. It must be a conversation about competitiveness, industrial renewal, energy security, climate resilience, financing, technology and inclusive growth.”
He explained that the country’s energy transition must simultaneously expand electricity access, deepen industrial capacity and reduce environmental impacts, noting that clean energy should serve as a catalyst for national development.
Ayoade further stated that decarbonization initiatives should be tied to productive economic activities capable of improving livelihoods and strengthening communities.
He said, “This is how decarbonization becomes meaningful. It must reduce emissions, but it must also increase our own productivity.”
Emphasizing the need for local capacity development, he urged stakeholders to invest in training and skills development to ensure Nigerians benefit from the opportunities within the renewable energy sector.
The keynote speaker noted that developing local expertise in manufacturing, installation, maintenance and renewable energy technologies would reduce dependence on foreign expertise while promoting industrial growth and employment opportunities.
Earlier, the Convener of the conference and Publisher of Oriental News Nigeria Online, Mrs. Yemisi Izuora, thanked invited guests, sponsors and partners for supporting the event and described the conference as a platform for advancing conversations around carbon capture, climate change management and sustainable development.
Former Minister of Information, Chief Lai Mohammed, in his goodwill message, commended the organizers for convening stakeholders to discuss practical solutions to Nigeria’s energy and climate challenges.
The conference also featured a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Charles Ebereonwu, Principal Consultant and Trainer at CETTLE Consulting Nigeria Limited, where panelists deliberated on finance challenges, investment strategies, operational sustainability and climate change management within the extractive industry.
Participants agreed that Nigeria’s energy transition should be practical, inclusive and economically beneficial, with stronger collaboration between government, investors and industry stakeholders identified as critical to achieving sustainable decarbonization.
