Nigeria has the largest GDP in Africa and a population of more than 200 million. At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced that his country aims to be carbon neutral by 2060. In August 2022, Nigeria established an Energy Transition Plan (ETP), an Energy Transition Implementation working group (ETWG) and an Energy Transition Office (ETO) to achieve net-zero emissions. Renewable energy in Nigeria will help the country by strengthening the economy and combating the effects of changing weather patterns. 

Changing Weather Patterns in Nigeria

Consequences of changing weather patterns have increased the demand for plans toward clean energy. The floods from October to November 2022 are an example of the devastation it has caused, with more than 600 deaths, thousands injured and 1.3 million people displaced from their homes. Green energy policies work to limit the effects of changing weather by working toward the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. 

Transitioning to Renewable Energy

The ETP website highlights that “the next couple of decades present a unique opportunity to merge these two priorities: economic development and climate action, and to achieve in Africa’s largest economy, one of the world’s first true just transitions.” The website claims that renewable energy in Nigeria will lift 100 million people out of poverty and create up to 340,000 jobs by 2030 and 840,000 jobs by 2060. The transition creates opportunities for economic growth in new industries such as hydrogen, solar energy and electric vehicles. 

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the Energy Transition Academy (ETA) and the Africa Energy Program strive to educate workers on the switch to renewable energy. They collaborate with the Global Fellowship Program, which provides Nigerians with “a demand-driven curriculum to underpin the deployment and scaling of distributed energy resources that could unlock jobs and electricity access.” The program provides knowledge through on-site examples, leadership development and capstone projects. Dismantling the fossil fuel industry creates unemployment, but training the local workers fills the jobs needed to transition to clean energy.

Another way to involve the local community is by including them in the economic benefits of the clean energy movement. Community-led projects can implement new management strategies and tailor the projects to local needs. For example, the Sharing the Power project allows locals to be a part of an ownership structure, motivating more of the community to get involved in energy initiatives. Another example is the Energizing Agriculture Program, which connects clean energy technologies to the agricultural industry, the third largest economic contributor in Nigeria.

Promoting Gender Equality

Transitioning to renewable energy in Nigeria will promote gender equality and economic growth. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) found that “only 32 percent of renewable energy jobs are held by women, who are among the most vulnerable to climate change.” In 2016, The Clinton Climate Initiative created the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network to combat the gender imbalance in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. WIRE believes in educating women who desire personal and professional growth through mentorships and building connections in the energy sector. 

Conclusion

Since 2021, Nigeria has made great progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. In those years, the country promoted community-led projects, initiatives for diverse populations and training for workers in transition. To meet its goal, Nigeria needs to continue investing in programs that direct the country away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy. Renewable energy technologies and countrywide economic growth are the answer to Nigeria’s growing socioeconomic needs.

– Diana Grant
Photo: Flickr