Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that Nigeria will phase out its reliance on diesel and embrace an integrated hybrid energy system in a bid to slash carbon emissions and accelerate climate-resilient infrastructure.
Speaking at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit held in Abuja on Wednesday, Shettima said the country’s transition to clean energy is no longer optional but an economic necessity.
“Nigeria can no longer build yesterday’s infrastructure for tomorrow,” he said. “Climate action is now a strategic imperative. If our climate ambitions don’t align with our development realities, we will be left behind.”
He cited the Onne Port project as a prime example of the country’s green ambitions. Discussions are ongoing with private investors to commit nearly $60 million to electrify the port and make it Nigeria’s first green port. “This will eliminate diesel dependence, reduce carbon emissions, and provide round-the-clock affordable power,” the Vice President said.
Shettima noted that infrastructure-related sectors, including energy, transport, urban development, and agriculture account for 75% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture alone supports 70% of rural livelihoods, making the stakes even higher.
“Decarbonising these systems is no longer a choice. It’s how we alter our future. Done right, we can generate 1.5 million green jobs by 2035 and unlock new markets in clean energy and climate-smart agriculture,” he said.
He emphasised that climate goals must be backed by real investments. “We are not here to fantasise. We are here to finance, to de-risk, to build. The Nigeria we want cannot run on diesel generators and broken grids.”
The summit, themed “Unlocking Climate Finance for Sustainable Development”, was described by Shettima as timely, as the nation faces the urgent task of breaking away from carbon-intensive growth models without sidelining vulnerable populations.
Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, stressed Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change despite its minimal carbon footprint. She called for widespread adoption of smart agriculture, renewable energy, and improved land use to boost resilience.
Musaddiq Mustapha Adamu, Special Assistant to the President on Subnational Infrastructure, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive climate action. “This summit is about more than emissions. It’s about equity, survival, and building infrastructure that restores hope,” he said.
The event marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2060, in line with the nation’s Energy Transition Plan and Climate Change Act.
