General
Energy Stakeholders Urge Nigeria, Others to Reject Anti-Fossil Fuel Policies
By Adedapo Adesanya
Energy stakeholders have urged African countries, including Nigeria, the continent’s largest crude producer, to reject all anti-fossil fuel policies that may arise at discussions at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
They called on African countries to fiercely defend the role oil and gas play across the continent, adding that it has become clear that developed nations seem committed to phasing out fossil fuels, advocating for an anti-fossil fuel energy transition that does not take into account the needs of the developing world.
For instance, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) warned that if endorsed, this approach would cause detrimental impacts on Africa’s economies as the continent has not only contributed the least to global greenhouse gas emissions – less than 2 per cent – but faces the worst impacts from climate change, owing largely to the actions taken by developed countries for centuries.
The Chamber said, “Phasing out fossil fuels and opting for a ‘Western approach’ to the energy transition is simply not an option for Africa.”
By phasing out fossil fuels, Africa will not only reduce its inconsequential emissions but essentially phase out energy in almost its entirety. The main sources of energy in Africa are oil (42 per cent), gas (28 per cent) and coal (22 per cent), it said in a statement.
“If Africa were to phase out these resources, it would be transitioning from dawn to darkness,” it added.
On his part, Mr Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), issued a similar remark, urging member countries to reject any agreements that target fossil fuels during the climate negotiations.
He, instead, advocated for focus to be placed on reducing emissions rather than reducing energy.
“It seems that the undue and disproportionate pressure against fossil fuels may reach a tipping point with irreversible consequences, as the draft decision still contains options on fossil fuels phase out,” Mr Al Ghais noted.
“What we will continue to advocate for is reducing emissions, not choosing energy sources. The world requires major investments in all energies, including hydrocarbons, all technologies, and an understanding of the energy needs of all people. Energy transitions must be just, fair and inclusive,” he added.
This was echoed by Mr NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, who noted that at COP27 which was held in Egypt in 2022, he advocated that Africa is trying to take the same path as wealthy countries that have used these resources to develop and position themselves financially and infrastructurally ready to transition away from fossil fuels.
“Last year, I wrote that I was going to COP 27 because I believe that if Africa is not on the table, it will be on the menu. It is unfortunate that a year on, we have seen little to no progress by Western nations to take into account the developmental needs of Africa. A year on, we are faced with the same threat: developed nations telling the world to abandon fossil fuels, thereby abandoning any chances of economic growth.
“Africa cannot afford to adopt the western-centric energy transition. Doing so would eliminate any chance of making energy poverty history, of industrializing economies and improving the lives of millions of people,” he stated.
“The green agenda promoted by the wealthy nations continues to ignore how instrumental oil and gas are in Africa. Climate panic and fear-mongering continue to be alive and well, and Africa should remain strong in its commitment to utilizing oil and gas for the betterment of its people,” Mr Ayuk added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria would co-host Investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February, an initiative aimed at attracting global investors and accelerating sustainable investment inflows.
President Tinubu made this announcement on the sidelines of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), where Nigeria also concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE to deepen trade and cooperation in renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, and digital trade.
“We warmly invite our partners to join us and help build the next chapter of sustainable and shared prosperity for Nigeria, Africa, and the world, ” President Tinubu said.
He described CEPA as a historic and strategic agreement that will also enhance cooperation in aviation, logistics, agriculture, and climate-smart infrastructure, creating enduring opportunities for the people of the two countries, stating that Investopia will bring together investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to transform opportunities into commitment and ideas into investment.
Mr Tinubu told the summit that Nigeria aims to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as it accelerates energy transition reforms and expands nationwide electricity access.
“The foundation of every modern economy is electricity. As an emerging economy in the Global South, we understand the delicate balance between industrialisation and decarbonisation, ensuring neither is pursued at the expense of the other.
”We are calling for a fundamental shift in the global financial architecture: a move away from the restrictive requirement of sovereign guarantees, which unfairly penalise developing economies.
”Instead, the focus should be on blended finance and first-loss capital mechanisms that allow private sustainable capital flows directly into our green projects without further straining national balance sheets,” he said.
According to President Tinubu, Nigeria has strengthened its climate governance framework with the adoption of a National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of a National Carbon Registry.
He explained that these measures are aimed at improving transparency and investor confidence.
Mr Tinubu highlighted the Electricity Act 2023 as a central pillar of Nigeria’s energy reforms, noting that it enables decentralised power generation and distribution to underserved communities.
He added that Nigeria’s climate investment drive includes a $500 million distributed renewable energy fund backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, as well as a $750 million World Bank programme expected to expand clean electricity access to more than 17.5 million people.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s target of net-zero emissions by 2060, under its Energy Transition Plan, while pursuing industrial growth and universal energy access.
He invited foreign investors to partner in Nigeria’s lithium and critical minerals sector, stressing that the government prioritises local processing and value addition.
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are producing tangible results, including a 21 per cent growth in non-oil exports.
”These reforms, alongside wider fiscal and monetary measures, are delivering results. Non-oil exports have grown by 21 per cent, supported by a more diversified product base. Capital importation has risen, and Nigeria now has over 50 billion dollars in investment commitments across key sectors.
”We are ready to work with partners across the world to ensure that the next era of development is not only green and inclusive, but just and enduring,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The governments of Nigeria and Turkey have agreed to collaborate on enhancing bilateral relations, with a focus on visa facilitation, business mobility, and consular matters.
The agreement followed a meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mehmet Poroy, during a courtesy visit.
Mr Tunji-Ojo highlighted the strong historical and cultural ties between the two countries and Nigeria’s commitment to a “smart, structured, and practical approach to international cooperation” that promotes people-to-people contact and legitimate business engagement.
“These ties provide a solid foundation for deeper collaboration,” he said.
Ambassador Poroy provided updates on improved visa facilitation for Nigerian businessmen traveling to Turkey, noting that “under the new arrangement, applications are processed locally, allowing verified businesspersons to benefit from faster processing timelines of about three to four days.”
He also raised concerns about Turkish businesspeople facing challenges when visiting Nigeria for trade fairs and investments, citing conflicting information about Nigerian visa arrangements. “We request written clarification to guide applicants accurately,” Poroy said.
A key proposal during the meeting was the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system.
“The absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul creates logistical challenges,” the Ambassador explained, adding that, “Including Turkey in the e-visa regime would significantly enhance business mobility for Turkish nationals.”
In response, Mr Tunji-Ojo assured that “denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople is not in the interest of either country.”
He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to “transparency, dialogue, and continuous improvement in visa administration,” stressing Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners.
The discussion also addressed recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions. The Minister clarified that “all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and should not require additional verification.”
The Turkish Ambassador acknowledged the concern and committed to reviewing embassy procedures, as both parties agreed on the importance of continued engagement to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United States has delivered military supplies to Nigerian security agencies to bolster operations in several parts of the country.
This was disclosed in a post via X on Tuesday by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
“The US forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership,” the post read.
The development shows cooperation between both nations after US President Donald Trump previously threatened to invade the country over the killing of Christians.
Last November, the federal government dispatched a delegation to Washington, the US capital, aimed at strengthening security partnerships between the two countries and opening new avenues for cooperation.
Leading the delegation then was the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, who met with senior officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.
During the meeting, the Nigerian delegation refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria, emphasising that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines.
It also rejected the wrongful framing of the situation, saying such a portrayal would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground.
According to the presidency at the time, both countries agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of cooperation.
The Nigerian delegation also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures.
On Christmas Day 2025, the US has launched strikes against militants linked to the Islamic State group (IS) in north-western Nigeria, where militants have sought to establish a foothold.
According to the Nigerian government, the operation was a joint operation and had nothing to do with a particular religion, adding that the strikes had been planned for quite some time using intelligence provided by the country.
The Nigerian government has long been fighting an array of jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and IS-linked factions, but largely in the North-East. However, some new groups are gaining footholds and the new supplies could help the Nigerian military continue its fight against terrorism.
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