July 14, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has called for a Pan-African position, articulated and promoted by leaders of the continent on the global net-zero emissions target by 2050-2060.
Osinbajo said this would further advance the quest for a just energy transition.
Laolu Akande, Media Spokesperson to the Vice President, in a statement, said Prof. Osinbajo spoke on Thursday, at a meeting with diplomats from the G-7 countries comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, France, Japan and the Republic of Egypt.
He spoke after a presentation of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, and brief comments by the diplomats and country representatives, stating “the plan is geared towards the actualisation of a Pan African initiative.”
“Developing a common African narrative is important because it sets the stage in providing a clear vision and a clear objective to have a Pan African initiative.
“The broad-based coalition will ensure that the private sector and government work together in driving the processes and the nuances are adequately taken care of. We must factor in all the nuances across the continent”, he said.
On the progress of Nigeria’s plan, Osinbajo said, “there is a great deal of enthusiasm and support for the country’s energy transition plan.”
Osinbajo said the Nigerian Government has adopted intentional approaches including the setting up of an Energy Transition Office, among others, to coordinate the processes.
At the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mohammad Abubakar, emphasised the need to have a Pan-African transition plan that would ensure a shared vision of the continent’s position at the forthcoming Climate Change conference.
He assured the development partners and members of the G-7 countries of Nigeria’s firm commitments to the net-zero emission targets.
Also, Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, said; “while authorities make effort to ensure stability in fiscal and monetary policies, stakeholders especially in Africa, must define our common interest and leverage existing opportunities to build new partnerships.”
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, commended the leadership of the Vice President in developing and implementing an energy transition plan, pledging the UN’s support towards its actualisation.
In the same vein, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said “the United States would support initiatives aimed at creating a conducive environment for investments in the sector.”
She acknowledged the emergence of a movement, championing a common initiative for Africa’s energy transition, describing Nigeria’s plan as “a manifestation of the country’s position on energy transition.”
The UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, said in addition to what her country planned to do in the area of off-grid solutions, more UK investors have indicated an interest in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Also, the World Bank Country Director in Nigeria, Shubaham Chaudhuri, commended ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s energy sector and called for more investments in off-grid solutions, while pledging the support of the bank for initiatives adopted by the government.
In separate remarks, the representatives of the European Union, Republics of France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Egypt, the IMF, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), all commended Nigeria’s leadership toward the actualisation of an African initiative for the energy transition.
Other global agencies like the United Nations, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), were also in attendance at the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Top Federal Government officials present at the meeting included; the Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu; Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jedy Agba; the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari; and the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Mr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, among others.
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