GreenFaith Nigeria has unveiled the Africa Grassroots Women of Faith in Energy (AWFE) project as part of its efforts to promote climate justice, empower women and accelerate the nation’s energy transition.
Launched in Bodo, a community in Rivers State that has been under a siege of oil spills and environmental degradation for many years, the initiative will also assist in encouraging the adoption of homegrown renewable energy alternatives.
The flagging off of the project in the country is said to be a testament to the momentum built during the Pan-African Multi-Faith Women’s Conference, which was hosted in 2024 by GreenFaith Africa in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
With this feat, Nigeria has joined other African countries in adopting the AWFE project, including Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This step also represents its collaboration with others to demand immediate action against the growth of fossil fuels, enforce corporate accountability, and emphasise women’s leadership in renewable energy alternatives.
Speaking about the programme, which was supported by Bread for the World, Dr. Pius Oko, the Regional Programme Manager for GreenFaith, said it marked a turning point for the locals, who are now demanding change after being traumatised by fossil fuels.
Despite the fact that Bodo was once a significant contributor to the nation’s abundant oil wealth, Dr. Oko bemoaned the fact that the community is still suffering from decades of oil spills, contaminated rivers, and lost livelihoods.
“The AWFE initiative seeks to equip women with the tools, voice, and leadership to champion a just energy transition, starting right here in Bodo,” he stated.
Maryne Warah, Global Director of Programmes and Director of GreenFaith Africa, focused her interest on the importance of a faith-based and women-led approach to addressing environmental degradation.
According to her, Nigeria, like many other frontline nations, is dealing with climate shocks, flooding, drought, and energy scarcity, all of which exacerbate poverty and hunger.
Warah, on the other hand, boosted optimism by stating that “women of faith are rising to demand real solutions that are locally owned, inclusive, and sustainable.”
Mrs. Rose Baribeop, the Bodo women’s representative, issued an unambiguous call to action, demanding that all new fossil fuel exploration and extraction in Ogoni and elsewhere be halted immediately.
“Oil companies must clean up their mess, pay reparations, and vacate our communities,” she asserts.
Baribeop advocated for increased investment in women-led, community-based renewable energy solutions, climate finance, and green jobs.
Rev. Sister Lilian Chibiko voiced her displeasure of the fact that more than 85% of Africa’s fossil fuels are exported at the continent’s expense.
“Communities like Bodo are left without energy, drowning in pollution and poverty,” says the Catholic nun who serves as the AWFE project’s focal point for women.
The AWFE project’s launch is expected to help establish grassroots energy circles to advocate for equitable clean energy access, train faith-based women leaders to deploy clean energy in homes and community centres, and demand oil company reparations, Ogoni land cleanup, mangrove restoration, and support for women-led economic initiatives.
In conclusion, the grassroots women of faith made a joint appeal to the Nigerian government and international stakeholders, urging an immediate halt to new fossil fuel projects and related financing in favour of a scaled-up, just energy transition that is affordable, accessible, and locally controlled. They are also looking for additional funding and financial instruments to help women-led renewable energy ventures.
By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja