Is Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan Really a Transition Plan?
The dialogue on transitioning to cleaner energy within the framework of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), hosted by Oxfam in Nigeria, was a remarkable experience. Being one of the youngest participants, I often wished that every young climate advocate in the Niger Delta region had the opportunity to be there. The discussions delved deep into specific issues surrounding policy implementation, enforcement, loopholes in existing policies, and the way forward in the energy sector.
A significant point of contention was whether the exploration of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as opposed to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) should be considered a transition. A major part of the ETP is centered on how Nigeria can maximize its gas resources, create more depots, and convert more vehicles to CNG operations since it emits less CO2 than PMS. The economic aspect was also explored, with the President stating that his administration had invested over $450 million in the CNG value chain. However, despite billions in grants allocated to six companies for CNG infrastructure across the country, Nigeria still lacks adequate gas infrastructure. The opacity surrounding fund allocations, bidding processes, and expected deliverables remains a pressing concern. The oil sector in Nigeria desperately needs transparent leadership that eliminates loopholes and ensures accountability.
The conversation also highlighted the vague nature of climate policies in Nigeria. From the ETP to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the policies broadly state what the country wants to achieve but lack concrete details on how these goals will be met. Many argue that Nigeria, as a developing country, cannot afford large-scale solar energy adoption despite its long-term benefits. Even those who use solar on a large scale often rely on fossil-fuel-powered generators to charge their batteries. The prevailing argument was that Nigeria is not ready for a full transition to solar energy and should instead focus on harnessing cleaner gas alternatives. However, this still involves fossil fuels, raising the critical question: How can Nigeria completely move away from fossil fuels?
Is a complete transition possible? Do we have the necessary human and natural resources? The skepticism is understandable, especially in the face of global politics, such as Donald Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” stance, which emboldens our government to ignore environmental warnings. Many Nigerians now view climate policies as foreign agendas, questioning why they should stop drilling when Western countries have been doing so for years. The argument is logical, but it risks missing the bigger picture—Nigeria and the Niger Delta, in particular, bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.
At Lincgreen, our advocacy is backed by primary data gathered from communities. We understand the dire consequences of unchecked oil exploration. Everyone seeks an easy way out, which is why I deeply resonate with the “Move the Money” narrative championed by We Don’t Have Time. To see real change, we must redirect investments toward sustainable solutions.
Ultimately, Nigeria seems to have no immediate plans to halt oil exploration. While expanding CNG infrastructure might reduce emissions, it is not a true transition—perhaps more of an attempt to appease Western expectations. Do we sit back and wait for the inevitable crisis, as depicted in the movie Don’t Look Up? Or do we empower our youth—who make up 70% of our population—to pioneer real change?
Let’s have a conversation: Is the ETP truly a transition plan?
