The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) will create more funding availability for indigenous companies.
Felix Omatsola Ogbe, head of the NCDMB
Mr. Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, said this on Wednesday, May 21, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at the ongoing fifth edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF 2025).
The fair has its theme as “Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a sustainable Oil and Gas Industry through Indigenous Capacity Development.”
The Africa Energy Bank, with its proposed headquarters in Abuja, will be open for business before the end of the second quarter in 2025.
The NCDMB boss, however, expressed hope that the bank would create more funding availability for local companies in the sector.
“At NCDMB, we remain unwavering in our commitment to creating the right policies, providing funding mechanisms, and partnerships to support Nigerian businesses.
“I am happy to announce that the Board alongside other stakeholders recently formed the Africa Energy Bank with the proposed Headquarters in Abuja,” Ogbe said.
The executive secretary encouraged the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to make conscious effort to engage local companies in line with the provisions of its laws.
However, the NOGOF 2025 edition coincides with the 15th year anniversary of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
Ogbe said following the establishment of the Board, it created a 10-year road map to deepen local participation and increase the participation of Nigerians in the activities of the oil and gas industry.
On this note, he said it had moved from five per cent in-country value retention in 2010 to 56 per cent in December 2024.
“Since the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010, we have made remarkable progress in building the capability and capacity of Nigerians and of Nigerian companies, attracting critical investments in-country, and enhancing value retention,” Ogbe said.
He said the Board’s mandate had been further reiterated by President Bola Tinubu’s newly introduced “Nigeria First Policy,” a “bold, forward-thinking move” for the Nigerian Content drive.
He described the sale of onshore assets by the IOCs to indigenous companies as a bold step and strategic shift towards deeper local participation and value retention.
He congratulated Renaissance, Seplat, Oando and all our indigenous companies on their milestone achievements, and encouraged them not to relent.
“We must sustain the momentum and come together to support this local content stride in terms of procurement, capacity building, knowledge transfer, job creation and mentorship for upcoming investors,” Ogbe said.
In an address, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said attracting both local and foreign investment required concerted efforts to create an enabling environment characterised by stability, transparency, and regulatory certainty.
Komolafe, represented by Captain John Tonlagha, Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC), said its mission in promoting sustainable value creation was geared towards driving investment and production growth by supporting indigenous capacity development and empowering local talent.
“The commission works towards fostering local expertise, achieving a reduction in our dependency on foreign companies and creating a robust, self-sustaining industry.
“Educating and training to create indigenous capacity is very crucial, hence investment in specialised education programmes and vocational training tailored to the needs of the oil and gas industry,” he said.
New data shows fires triggered unprecedented global forest loss in 2024, releasing more than four times the emissions from all air travel in 2023 – with devastating impacts on people and the climate, according to Global Forest Watch’s annual analysis
Global forest loss surged to record highs in 2024, driven by a catastrophic rise in fires, according to new data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Lab, made available on World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Watch platform.
Fire fighters battle a forest fire
Loss of tropical primary forests alone reached 6.7 million hectares – nearly twice as much as in 2023 and an area nearly the size of Panama, at the rate of 18 soccer fields every minute.
For the first time on record, fires – not agriculture – were the leading cause of tropical primary forest loss, accounting for nearly 50% of all destruction. This marks a dramatic shift from recent years, when fires averaged just 20%. Meanwhile, tropical primary forest loss driven by other causes also jumped by 14%, the sharpest increase since 2016.
Despite some positive developments, particularly in Southeast Asia, the overall trend is heading in a troubling direction. Leaders of over 140 countries signed the Glasgow Leaders Declaration in 2021, promising to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. But we are alarmingly off track to meet this commitment: Of the 20 countries with the largest area of primary forest, 17 have higher primary forest loss today than when the agreement was signed.
The consequences of forest loss in 2024 have been devastating for both people and the planet. Globally, the fires emitted 4.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions – releasing more than four times the emissions from all air travel in 2023. The fires worsened air quality, strained water supplies and threatened the lives and livelihoods of millions.
Elizabeth Goldman, Co-Director, WRI’s Global Forest Watch, said:“This level of forest loss is unlike anything we’ve seen in over 20 years of data. It’s a global red alert – a collective call to action for every country, every business and every person who cares about a livable planet. Our economies, our communities, our health – none of it can survive without forests.”
While fires are natural in some ecosystems, those in tropical forests are mostly human-caused, often set on agricultural land or to prepare new areas for farming. In 2024, the hottest year on record, extreme conditions fueled by climate change and El Niño made these fires more intense and harder to control. Although forests have the ability to recover from fire, the combined pressures of land conversion and a changing climate can hinder that recovery and raise the likelihood of future fires.
Top Countries for Forest Loss
Brazil, the country with the largest area of tropical forest, accounted for 42% of all tropical primary forest loss in 2024. Fires, fueled by the worst drought on record, caused 66% of that loss – an over sixfold increase from 2023. Primary forest loss from other causes also rose by 13%, mostly due to large-scale farming for soy and cattle, though still lower than the peaks seen in the early 2000s and in the Bolsonaro era. The Amazon experienced its highest tree cover loss since 2016, while the Pantanal suffered the highest percentage of tree cover loss in the country.
Mariana Oliveira, Director Forests and Land Use Programme, WRI Brasil, said:“Brazil has made progress under President Lula – but the threat to forests remains. Without sustained investment in community fire prevention, stronger state-level enforcement and a focus on sustainable land use, hard-won gains risk being undone. As Brazil prepares to host COP30, it has a powerful opportunity to put forest protection front and center on the global stage.”
Bolivia’s primary forest loss skyrocketed by 200% in 2024, totaling 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres). For the first time, it ranked second for tropical primary forest loss only to Brazil, overtaking the Democratic Republic of Congo despite having less than half its forest area. More than half the loss was due to fires, often set to clear land for soy, cattle, and sugarcane, which turned into megafires due to heavy drought. Government policies promoting agricultural expansion worsened the problem.
Stasiek Czaplicki Cabezas, Bolivian researcher and Data Journalist for Revista Nomadas, said: “The fires that tore through Bolivia in 2024 left deep scars – not only on the land, but on the people who depend on it. The damage could take centuries to undo. Across the tropics, we need stronger fire response systems and a shift away from policies that encourage dangerous land clearing, or this pattern of destruction will only get worse.”
In Colombia, primary forest loss increased by nearly 50%. However, unlike elsewhere in Latin America, fires were not the primary cause. Instead, non-fire-related loss rose by 53%, owing to instability from the breakdown in peace talks, including illegal mining and coca production.
Joaquin Carrizosa, Senior Advisor, WRI Colombia said:“In 2023, Colombia saw the biggest drop in primary forest loss in 20 years, proving that when government and communities work together, real change is possible. The rise in primary forest loss in 2024 is a setback, but it shouldn’t discourage us as a country. We need to keep supporting local, nature-based economies – especially in remote areas – and invest in solutions that protect the environment, create jobs and foster peace.”
In 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (ROC) saw the highest levels of primary forest loss on record. In the ROC, primary forest loss surged by 150% compared to the previous year, with fires causing 45% of the damage, worsened by unusually hot and dry conditions.
Like the Amazon, the Congo Basin plays a crucial role as a carbon sink, but the rising fires and forest loss now threaten its vital function. In the DRC, poverty, reliance on forests for food and energy and ongoing conflict driven by rebel groups have fueled instability and led to increased land clearing, further driving forest loss.
Teodyl Nkuintchua, Congo Basin Strategy & Engagement Lead, WRI Africa, said:“The high rates of forest loss in the DRC reflect the tough realities our communities are facing – poverty, conflict and a deep reliance on forests for survival. There’s no silver bullet, but we won’t change the current trajectory until people across the Congo Basin are fully empowered to lead conservation efforts that also support their rural economies.”
Dr. Matt Hansen, Professor, University of Maryland; Co-Director, Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) Lab, said:“We’re seeing unprecedented forest loss from fire in the few remaining ‘High Forest, Low Deforestation’ countries, like the Republic of Congo. This new dynamic is outside of current policy frameworks or intervention capabilities and will severely test our ability to maintain intact forests within a warming climate.”
However, it’s not all bad news. In Southeast Asia, there are signs of progress. Indonesia reduced primary forest loss by 11%, reversing a steady rise between 2021 and 2023. Efforts under former President Joko Widodo to restore land and curb fires helped keep fire rates low, even amid widespread droughts. Similarly, Malaysia saw a 13% decline and fell out of the top 10 countries for tropical primary forest loss for the first time.
Arief Wijaya, Managing Director, WRI Indonesia, said:“We’re proud that Indonesia is one of the few countries in the world to reduce primary forest loss. But deforestation remains a concern due to plantations, small-scale farming and mining – even within protected areas. We hope the current administration keeps the momentum going”.
The rise in forest loss also extended beyond the tropics. The world saw a 5% increase in total tree cover loss compared to 2023, adding up to 30 million hectares – an area the size of Italy. This increase was driven in part by the intense fire seasons in Canada and Russia, marking the first time that major fires raged across both the tropics and boreal forests since GFW’s record-keeping began.
Combatting Forest Loss
Peter Potapov, Research Professor, University of Maryland; Co-Director, Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) Lab, said:“2024 was the worst year on record for fire-driven forest loss, breaking the record set just last year. If this trend continues, it could permanently transform critical natural areas and unleash large amounts of carbon – intensifying climate change and fueling even more extreme fires. This is a dangerous feedback loop we cannot afford to trigger further.”
Rod Taylor, Director, Forests and Nature Conservation, WRI, said:“Forest fires and land clearing are driving up emissions, while the climate is already changing faster than forests can adapt. This crisis is pushing countless species to the brink and forcing Indigenous Peoples and local communities from their ancestral lands. But this isn’t irreversible – if governments, businesses, and individuals act now, we can stop the assault on forests and their custodians.”
To meet the global goal of halting forest loss by 2030, the world must reduce deforestation by 20% every year, starting immediately. In contrast, 2024 marked an 80% increase in tropical primary forest loss. To combat this loss, the world needs action on multiple fronts: stronger fire prevention, deforestation-free supply chains for commodities, better enforcement of trade regulations and increased funding for forest protection – especially Indigenous-led initiatives.
Achieving this will require political will, national strategies tailored to local realities and greater support from wealthier nations to ensure forests remain standing – and are valued more alive than lost.
Kelly Levin, Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change, Bezos Earth Fund, said: “Countries have repeatedly pledged to halt deforestation and forest degradation. Yet the data reveal a stark gap between promises made and progress delivered – alongside the growing impacts of a warming world. These findings should jolt us out of complacency. The Bezos Earth Fund is proud to support this vital tool for showing where we stand and ensuring action is grounded in evidence.”
As the hottest year ever recorded draws to a close, climate change is passing from theory to reality and gaining ever-increasing urgency in statehouses around the world. The goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions worldwide by 2050 is widely agreed upon by climate experts as necessary to avoid irreversible changes in Earth’s weather patterns that could cause centuries of harm for everyone. The big question, of course, is how do we get there? Who bears what burdens, and how?
Oil and gas installations
For the developed world, the answer is strikingly simple: cut, cut, and cut some more. The countries that generate and consume the most energy have brought us to this point, and it’s their responsibility to become more efficient and find new and cleaner ways to maintain their current, comfortable lifestyle. While the cutting part has left much to be desired so far, the new and cleaner part looks promising. The cost of renewable energy (RE) sources such as wind and solar have been drastically reduced over the last decade to become some of the cheapest options available.
This is where the question gets thorny: What about the developing world, which has barely even begun to emit carbon, yet desperately wants (and deserves) to catch up to the developed world’s standard of living? How do places like Africa get what they want without erasing progress toward net zero? For many, the answer is leapfrogging.
What is Leapfrogging?
In short, leapfrogging is the idea that developing nations can bypass the last century and a half of carbon-heavy energy technology and jump straight to 100% renewable energy with no middle stage. It’s easy to see why this idea is tempting, and why so much talk of it is focused on Africa. Cheap technology is appealing to poor countries, and our equatorial continent between two oceans has some of the greatest potential for solar and wind power to be found anywhere on the planet.
Currently, more than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity, and the total population is expected to double in the next three decades, so the demand is already enormous and accelerating by the day. By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African.
Western attendees at climate conferences such as the United Nations Conference of Parties have opined that the world “cannot afford” for developing countries to follow the same trajectory as Europe, the U.S., and China to reach abundant, reliable energy supply. Mohamed Adow, director of the energy and climate think-tank Power Shift Africa, states that “Africa stands on the cusp of sweeping economic development. Whether this development is powered by clean renewables, or dirty fossil fuels, will go a long way to determining if the world meets the Paris Agreement goal…” Greenpeace urges African leaders “to avoid falling into the fossil fuel trap and lead the continent towards a clean, renewable, affordable and sustainable energy future.”
Boiled down, the implication is that Africa should avoid ANY investment in fossil fuels – complete prohibition. Suggesting otherwise in some circles verges on taboo. But is it realistic to expect Africa to go all-in on the latest technology and forego other resources it has in great abundance, like natural gas? Do the numbers back up their assertions? And is it even fair to ask so much from people with so far to go?
Not as Cheap as It Sounds
Even as solar panels and windmills drop in price, obtaining them is only one part of a much larger equation. Solar arrays, for instance, can be installed on a single home or in a microgrid connected to a small group of residences to power them directly. Multiply this by hundreds or thousands and the arrangement is known as distributed solar energy.
Leapfrogging using distributed solar has been described as similar to how the developing world leapt right past landlines and straight to cell phones with seeming ease just in the last couple of decades. If we can do it with communications, then why not energy?
Cost, for starters. A basic 8W solar array can cost 10 times more than a cell phone in a single year in Kenya. An 8W system is just enough to power a couple of LED lights and a cell phone charger. If you want to power a TV, a refrigerator, a washing machine, or other energy-intensive appliances, you’ll need a bigger and more costly array. If your village’s microgrid is small, what happens when too many people get refrigerators and air conditioning? Time to increase the size of the grid. And then inevitably, what happens when the sun doesn’t shine? Add storage batteries, or a local power storage facility. Expand from powering homes to industrial and agricultural use? Now your costs are growing exponentially. Realistically, who would stay satisfied for long with just two lights and a phone charger?
The difference between distributed cellular and distributed solar is networks. Distributed cellular works because everyone’s cell phone connects to a huge, centralized network of cell towers that are connected to reliable power and do all the work of connecting calls on the back end. Imagine if every home had to have its own cell tower and all the necessary hardware and software to connect to all the other phones in the world, and you can see how quickly that would get very expensive. That is distributed solar’s disadvantage – every separate grid has to do it all, and if one fails, the others can’t pick up the slack. The end result is a patchy, uneven, and unreliable supply of energy that is easily sabotaged by spikes in demand or ebbs in supply.
Like cellular, energy works best with economies of scale. Large central networks allow energy demand to be distributed based on supply and demand, with one region’s excess balancing out another’s shortage such that only the largest events can impact the entire grid at once. Can solar and wind grids be built this way? Yes, but to support industrial and agricultural use, it requires a huge investment in land as well as money for a payoff that is currently underwhelming at best.
The Benban Solar Farm in Egypt covers more than 37 square kilometers (14.3 square miles) – large enough to be visible from space – but can still only power 420,000 Egyptian homes; a small fraction of the country’s 102 million people. Expanding further might be fine in a country that’s mostly empty desert, but how much land can be set aside in more humid, arable climates where every scrap of farmland is needed to survive?
Mixed Energy Won’t Be the End of the World
While renewable energy does look like a great way to get people up and running who are starting with nothing, it clearly isn’t ready to solve all the problems of nations seeking higher levels of prosperity without all the guilt. African countries need to tap the power of the grid and every resource available to them in order to achieve what the West takes for granted every day. That includes fossil fuels, which Africa possesses in abundance, like it or not. But wouldn’t industrialising Africa with fossil fuels lead to climate catastrophe?
The answer to that question is often greatly exaggerated. Adding 250 million homes to the grid with 35 kWh/month usage (enough for a TV, refrigerator, and fan), even entirely from coal, would only increase current global greenhouse gas emissions by 0.25%. Of course, no one is suggesting firing up hundreds of coal plants across the continent, but natural gas is widely acknowledged as the cleanest form of fossil fuel, its use for generating electricity is well established, and Africa already has massive amounts of it.
Instead of starting at the bottom of the carbon ladder, burning the dirtiest stuff first in its own industrial revolution, Africa is poised to start at the top. The no-carbon approach may not be fully feasible, but a low-carbon approach most certainly is.
A Question of Fairness
According to a special report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), staying within a 1.5°C maximum average global temperature rise will require a 45% decline in global CO2 emissions from 2010 levels by 2030. In reality, it needs to decline more than twice that fast since global emissions actually grew 10% between 2010 and 2019.
In 2021, Africa accounted for just 3.9% of all CO2 emissions worldwide. All of sub-Saharan Africa could triple its electricity use overnight using only natural gas and still account for only a 1% increase in global emissions, so low is its starting point. By combining natural gas with renewable energy to make the best use of both, the increase would certainly be less than that. It is hardly fair for the rest of the world to tell Africa to hold itself back for the “common good” while they continue to belch out 96% of the problem.
The solution to climate change is not for the developing world to risk “leapfrogging” over vital steps to industrialization, but for the developed world to do far more to reduce its own output that created the mess in the first place. Africa deserves the chance to improve the quality of life for its people, and it has the resources to solve its own problems if given the chance.
By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber
The Fourteenth Conference of the Parties (COP14) of the Abidjan Convention opened on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, with a call on Contracting Parties to ratify four additional Protocols.
Delegates at the opening of Abidjan Convention COP14 in Nouakchott, Mauritania
Whie welcoming participants to the conference, Mr. Mamadou Kane, Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention, said in his opening speech that COP14, with the theme “Towards a resilient Atlantic Coast: Enhancing cooperation for the sustainable development of marine and coastal areas and the resilience of our coastal communities”, speaks volumes about the Secretariat’s vision in its ambition to address the major current and future environmental challenges of marine and coastal areas facing the Abidjan Convention region.
In this perspective, he added that the Convention provides Contracting Parties with cooperation tools to combat the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Kane said: “Already, four Additional Protocols: the Bassam Protocol on pollution from land-based sources and activities, the Malabo Protocol on environmental standards associated with offshore oil and gas activities, the Pointe- Noire Protocol on integrated coastal zone management and the Calabar Protocol on sustainable mangrove management. Contracting Parties are strongly encouraged to ratify them in order to harmonise the Convention’s coastal and marine governance policies. Another Additional Protocol on the Management of Marine Protected Areas is being finalised.”
According to him, the Secretariat supports the Contracting Parties in the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework, which provides for the conservation of 30% of terrestrial, inland waters, coastal and marine areas by 2030, and the restoration of 30% of degraded ecosystems, all of which aim to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity.
Kane added: “It also supports them in the signing and ratification of the BBNJ agreement to provide an appropriate and cooperative response to the loss of biological diversity and the degradation of ocean ecosystems in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
“The Secretariat also accompanies and urges Contracting Parties to use all their weight to reach an agreement at the next session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution including the marine environment.
“Support to Contracting Parties for these global initiatives aims to harmonise and coordinate the fight against challenges not only at the level of Contracting Parties but well beyond the Convention areas to further ensure its security and resilience.
“All these actions are carried out through projects and programmes with the support, collaboration and cooperation of numerous partnerships such as UEMOA, PRCM, IUCN, AU-IBAR, SST, IOI, CSE, ECOWAS, the FAO and the Regional Seas Conventions to implement its COP programmes and decisions. The Secretariat thanks its partners and plans to strengthen these collaborations for greater synergies.”
In her presentation, Mrs. Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), listed key successes of the Abidjan Convention as well as what Contracting Parties have benefitted from the Convention.
“The Abidjan Convention is one link in a chain of 18 Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans. It is a cornerstone of the global efforts to tackle marine biodiversity loss and plastic pollution. With one noble goal: Protecting the Convention area’s marine and coastal environment to support millions of people who depend on healthy oceans for their well- being.”
She, however, expressed fears that, due to a lack of funding for the Abidjan Convention Secretariat, the Convention may have reached a turning point.
“Unless the shortfall in Contracting Party contributions is addressed, the Secretariat will have no choice but to proceed to terminate its staff,” she warned.
Gardener added: “I am not speaking about a situation that might happen later this year. The Secretariat is already out of funds. There is no money to pay staff salaries beyond the end of this month.
“As the UNEP Executive Director made clear in her letters to your ministries, we have run out of time. We must now proceed with the preparations for a responsible and orderly transition noting that UNEP will no longer be able to perform the functions of the Secretariat.
“I know how difficult this situation is. Many of your governments are facing economic pressures of your own. UNEP is not immune either, we are operating under significant budget constraints across the UN system. Which is why I want to say this clearly: I do not take this moment lightly. I am humbled by the dedication and leadership that this region has shown, and it pains me deeply that such meaningful work now faces this uncertainty.
“This shall not mean that collaboration is coming to an end. Let us be clear: the Convention’s vision is not ending. Its principles are not lost. The relationships, knowledge, and progress made under this banner still matter, and they will always matter.”
The full name for Abidjan Convention is: Convention for Cooperation in the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region.
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced the public presentation of its book, “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing”, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Abuja Continental Hotel.
Maureen Chigbo, GOCOP President
According to a press statement by GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, the highly anticipated event promises to be a significant milestone in the literary and publishing landscape.
He quoted GOCOP President, Ms. Maureen Chigbo, to have said that the event will feature a Fundraiser for the N2.3 billion GOCOP Media Centra, a multi-purpose resource centre comprising a secretariat, a 21st Century library and event halls, among others.
Chigbo further said that “this landmark publication chronicled the transformative journey of Nigeria’s media landscape, highlighting the pivotal role of online publishing in shaping public discourse, enhancing transparency and fostering national development.
“It is a testament to the resilience and innovation of Nigerian media practitioners in the digital age,” she said.
The event, she said, would bring together distinguished personalities from government, media, private sector, academia and civil society to reflect on the challenges and opportunities in online publishing and its critical role in nation-building.
GOCOP, which currently has 120 members, was established to ensure that online publishers uphold the tenets of journalism in doing their jobs.
Its membership is a constellation of editors and senior journalists, whom, having distinguished themselves in their various stations in the print and electronic media, ventured into online publishing which is both the present and future of journalism globally.
The book, aside tracing the historical trajectory of online journalism in Nigeria, is also a veritable contribution towards enriching the discourse on civil liberties, press freedom and the role of the media in the sustenance of democracy, the statement added.
Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, says clear and strong climate policies are an antidote to trade and economic uncertainty.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell. Photo credit: Phil Dera Photography
He believes climate policy can help get trade flowing and economies growing, while preventing wildly destructive climate impacts.
Speaking at the 2025 Nature Summit in Panamá City, Panamá, he noted that a new generation of national climate plans are essential all around the world.
He says these plans, when well implemented through the right political leadership, can attract a bonanza of benefits, including more jobs, more revenue and a virtuous cycle of increased investment.
“In the past, climate plans have often focused mainly on cuts – cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and to old-fashioned energy. This new generation of climate plans are really about growth. Growing industries and economies. And building a better future. One where nature is protected, and where people have better opportunities,” he states.
Decarbonisation
Amid all the crisis and trade disruption, the UN Climate Change chief says there is also good news of clean energy projects in pipelines across the globe.
“Investors have their fingers on the button – waiting to push go on multi-billion-dollar commitments that will make lives better,” says Stiell.
He says the political and policy signals from almost all of the world’s largest economies are very clear: global decarbonisation is unstoppable and continues to gather pace and scale.
More than 90% of new energy last year was renewable – from rapid technological advancements in Electric Vehicle charging, to breakthroughs in energy storage, as the costs of wind, solar, and so many more clean technologies keep coming down.
Brazil is putting nature at the heart of their climate plan; Germany is promising to invest billions in climate action to increase security; and China, for the first time, will set a new national climate target that covers every greenhouse gas and sector of the economy.
“This isn’t only because of their better environmental angels. It’s because global decarbonisation is the biggest economic transformation of our age, making it one of the biggest commercial opportunities we’ve ever seen,” notes Stiell.
Cooperation for more prosperity
Every country wants to take advantage of a $2 trillion clean energy market, says the UN Climate chief.
“While competition is a good thing, now is not the time for zero-sum thinking. We need to work together to ensure that everyone benefits. That new markets open and new trade routes form.
“We simply cannot afford a two-speed transition, where some countries race ahead with clean energy and climate resilience and leave others behind. Because a supply chain is only as strong as its most fragile link.
“The good news is, we are also hearing loud and clear from heads of state that they remain committed to cooperation on climate. To build on breakthroughs we’ve seen at every recent COP,” Stiell notes.
Panama is hosting the first of the new revamped UN Climate Weeks, focusing on making real-world progress, showcasing solutions and exploring how they can be scaled up and shared.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Chief Ekperenkpo Ekpo, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, urged oil and gas stakeholders to collaborate to meet the quota approved by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo
Ekpo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emeka Obi, made the call while speaking at the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunities Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The theme of the forum is: “Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a sustainable Oil and Gas Industry through Indigenous Capacity Development’’.
He noted that the oil output of 1.4 million barrels per day as of first quarter of 2025 falls short of the 1.8 million barrels quota approved by OPEC.
The minister said that, with the nation’s oil reserve and a commitment by industry players, there is an opportunity to meet the quota.
Ekpo commended the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the fair showcasing opportunities for Nigerian companies.
He said that the growth of Nigerian content from five percent in 2010 to 56 per cent in 2024 was a laudable achievement.
About 1,000 companies are participating in the fair where major oil producers showcase opportunities and projects.
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, said it had approved two bills for submission to the state House of Assembly aimed at reforming land administration and marriage registration procedures.
Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), at the 2025 Lagos State Ministerial Press Briefing on Wednesday
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), announced the development at the 2025 Lagos State Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the second year of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
According to Pedro, one of the bills proposes establishment of a Lis Pendens (Pending Litigation) Registry to record all litigations concerning land matters.
The commissioner said that the registry would be expected to protect members of the public from unknowingly engaging in transactions on disputed property.
He said that the second bill sought to establish a Marriage and Dissolution Registry to register all forms of marriages conducted in the state and issue official certificates.
“The executive council has approved these bills for legislative consideration to improve governance and legal clarity in key areas of public interest.
Pedro also said that the ministry had prepared an amendment to the state’s Tenancy Law of 2016, with the aim of curbing exploitative rental practices.
“It has become necessary for us to checkmate activities of stakeholders in this industry; we need to curb this exploitative rental practice in a city like Lagos State.
“The proposed amendment will address issues of exploitative rent increases, non-payment of rent arrears, and prolonged delays in tenancy litigation,” he said.
He added that a draft bill had been prepared to harmonise three existing laws relating to sexual and domestic violence.
“The harmonisation is to ensure a robust and unified legislation that effectively tackles domestic violence and other harmful practices in Lagos State,” he said.
On administration of criminal justice, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry had introduced the Lagos Criminal Information System.
According to him, the innovation automates handling of all criminal cases pending at the state’s magistrates’ and high courts.
“This makes it easy to identify cases,” he said.
On the state of correctional facilities in Lagos State, Pedro said that the current inmate population stood at 9,096, representing 106 per cent above the capacities of the facilities.
He said that the level of overcrowding was a matter of serious concern but the ministry was optimistic that the overcrowding would soon be a thing of the past.
“Crime data revealed Ikeja, Lagos Island and Lekki as the top three areas for criminal acactivities,” he said.
The ministry comprises multiple directorates and agencies, including Civil Litigation, Public Prosecutions, Citizens Rights, Commercial Law, Legislative Drafting and Advisory Services.
The other agencies include Law Reform Commission, Citizens’ Mediation Centre, Office of the Public Defender, and Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.
Pedro said that each of the units contributed uniquely to the enforcement of law, delivery of justice and protection of citizens’ rights.
”Justice is not just about courts and laws; it is the bedrock of a safe, fair and thriving society.
“Without the rule of law, there can be no sustainable investment or social progress,” he said.
The Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, has reaffirmed the company’s deep-rooted commitment to Nigeria’s energy sector, highlighting its consistent investment in the country over six decades, even during periods of economic and regulatory uncertainty.
Matthieu Bouyer
Speaking at the on-going Nigerian Oil & Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2025 taking place at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Bouyer, who was represented by Mr. Cyprian Ojum, Deputy General Manager, Nigeria Content, said TotalEnergies remains one of the few international oil companies that have stood by Nigeria through challenging times.
“Even when Nigeria was not looking very bright as a place to invest, TotalEnergies continued to invest without looking back,” Bouyer told participants. “In the last 15 years, if you fly across the oil and gas fields, you’ll see many facilities and projects powered by TotalEnergies.”
He highlighted key legacy projects such as the Akpo, Ofon Phase 2, and Egina fields, with the Egina project achieving an impressive 67% Nigerian content.
“It is a story we are proud of as Nigerians. Involving Nigerian procurement, services, construction, and transport, 67% of the Egina project was executed in-country,” he said.
Bouyer also referenced the more recent Ikike project, which recorded 90% Nigerian participation.
“That’s a strong testament to how far local content has grown. Four major contractors on the Ikike project were Nigerian,” he noted.
TotalEnergies’ alignment with the Nigerian Content Act 2010 was central to Bouyer’s address.
“Our philosophy is built on Section 2 of the Act, which mandates that every project promoter must operate with a mindset to create and retain value in Nigeria,” he said.
On future prospects, Bouyer discussed the Ubeta project, which reached Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2024.
“Despite an uncertain environment, Ubeta is now on track. Nigerian contractors are delivering. We will take gas from the Ubeta field to our plant and feed Nigeria LNG to meet 2027 targets,” he said.
He also hinted at upcoming developments such as the Amenam/Kpono shallow-water gas project, aligning with Nigeria’s drive to boost gas production and energy transition.
“Our commitment is not just in the past or present, but for the future,” Bouyer concluded. “TotalEnergies will continue to invest, empower local contractors, and support Nigeria’s ambition to become a hub for energy excellence.”
A new front in the global fight against wildlife crime began on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the launch of the South‑West Asia Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force (SWAITBT).
Participants at the launch of the South-West Asia Illegal Taking of Birds Task Force (SWAITBT) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 20-21, 2025
Established under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Task Force brings together 10 range states to confront the illegal and unsustainable taking of millions of birds each year, which has been driving flagship regional species such as the Steppe Eagle, several falcon species and Sociable Plovers towards extinction.
“This initiative brings governments in the region together to collaborate on a shared conservation goal which cannot be addressed alone,” said Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of CMS. “By increasing the capacity of key players, aligning laws, enforcement and on‑the‑ground conservation across South‑West Asia, this Task Force gives us a realistic chance to shut down the trafficking routes and illegal taking hotspots that have decimated iconic species. It is a model of multilateral cooperation that can deliver real results for wildlife and people alike.”
The National Centre for Wildlife (NCW), as the CMS national focal point in Saudi Arabia, is leading coordination efforts on behalf of the Kingdom. NCW convened the inaugural meeting in Riyadh and continues to engage with regional and international partners to advance the task force’s goals.
Saudi Arabia is spearheading this coordinated approach to tackle the unlawful capture and trade of migratory birds. The launch reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to cross-border conservation, recently recognised with the CMS Champion, presented to the National Center for Wildlife for its active role in the protection of migratory species.
“Saudi Arabia recognises the importance of international cooperation in protecting migratory birds that cross our skies and connect our continents,” said Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Centre for Wildlife, in Saudi Arabia. “By supporting this task force, we reaffirm our commitment to conservation and to safeguarding species that are part of our region’s natural and cultural heritage. Working together, we can strengthen enforcement and ensure safe passage for these birds for generations to come.”
An action‑oriented mandate
The SWAITBT gathers all 10 range states – Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen – alongside international organisations, NGOs and enforcement bodies. To support CMS parties in meeting their conservation obligations, the task force’s core objectives include:
Reviewing national hunting legislation and guiding legal reforms to close loopholes;
Coordinating and supporting implementation of the South‑West Asia Action Plan against Illegal Killing and Taking of Birds;
Enable a regional situation analysis on illegal taking, building on work by the CMS Mediterranean and Asia‑Pacific task forces;
Ensuring synergies with related CMS frameworks such as the Raptors MOU, African‑Eurasian Migratory Landbirds Action Plan (AEMLAP) and the Central Asian Flyway Initiative (CAF);
Promoting information exchange and capacity‑building among enforcement agencies, customs and the judiciary;
Advancing regional cooperation on enforcement by aligning regional protocols and bird-protection measures and tapping into specialist networks;
Mobilising resources for priority conservation and enforcement actions; and
Monitor the implementation of the relevant decisions and plans and their effectiveness and regularly submit progress reports to the governing bodies of participating MEAs, including via an intergovernmental ‘scoreboard’ to monitor and indicate progress in eliminating IKB.
Addressing a global conservation priority
The State of the World’s Migratory Species report, released at the 14th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, confirms that overexploitation is one of the two greatest threats to migratory species, with illegal killing (a subcategory of overexploitation) a major driver for many birds. According to BirdLife International’s State of the World’s Birds (2022), over‑exploitation affects up to 45 per cent of all bird species worldwide.
This Task Force is set up in full coordination with ongoing CMS Avian Task Forces addressing illegal taking in other parts of the world, such as those operating for a decade now in the Mediterranean (MIKT) and more recently in Asia Pacific (ITTEA) Regions. The first model in the Mediterranean, has proven to be a successful platform of regional cooperation and exchange of information and best practices, where coordinated action has cut illegal bird netting in Cyprus by 91 per cent.
By adopting a full and proactive role in fighting against these illegal activities, countries will also contribute to the achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its target 5 on the use, harvest, and trade of wild species.
