A group of stakeholders in the Nigeria’s environmental sector including Ecocykle Development Foundation have called on governments at all levels, civil society groups, and individuals to collaborate and invest in Nigeria’s renewable energy transition process.
The workshop themed “Our Power, Our Planet: From Policy to Action” organized by Young Professionals in Policy and Development (YouPaD) in partnership with Ecocykle, amongst others, was held in commemoration of the World Earth Day 2025.
During the event, Mohammed Abdullahi, former Minister of Environment stated that many Nigerians are more concerned with daily survival than with reducing their carbon footprint. He asserted that to achieve Nigeria’s ambitious climate goals, the government must prioritise breaking the cycle of poverty through targeted programmes.
This, he said would empower citizens to afford climate-friendly solutions such as fuel-efficient cookstoves, LPG and biogas systems, solar home installations, and electric or compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.
The Government should place greater emphasis on innovation in energy infrastructure, optimal utilisation of domestic financing, and harmonisation of existing energy policy frameworks. In industrialised countries, energy systems have powered decades of development but also caused environmental damage, warming oceans, melting glaciers, and extreme climate events that disproportionately affect poorer nations. To truly transition, we must move from a mindset of short-term consumption to long-term restoration. The shift to renewable and sustainable energy is not a luxury, it is a necessity. And within that necessity lies an extraordinary opportunity to lead the way toward a better future”.
Mohammed Abdullahi
Abdullahi stressed that a just energy transition must ensure inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable communities, indigenous populations, and marginalized groups.
Peniel Ibe, Coordinator of CCC for Peace, explained that the initiative seeks to empower Nigerian youth to participate meaningfully in both local and global climate discourse and advocacy.
She noted that the initiative aimed to introduce young people to justice-centred climate solutions and to demonstrate how such solutions could be applied within their local contexts.
The event also involved panel discussions, exhibitions, networking and capacity building session, further concluded with a screening of Drifting Away, a documentary series by Simpa Sampson.
By Aliyu Sadiq
