Manufacturing Africa (MA) – one of the UK’s flagship economic development programmes for Africa – on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, signed a strategic partnership agreement with London-based investment firm TLG Capital to strengthen and improve the eligibility of Nigerian manufacturing companies to raise capital through TLG’s Africa Growth Impact Fund II (AGIF II).
In a significant milestone, TLG Capital also confirmed the first close of the TLG AGIF II fund, raising $75 million towards its $200 million target. The fund is anchored by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) and backed by a coalition of forward-looking investors: Swedfund, Norfund, and Bpifrance.
Through this partnership, the UK-funded Manufacturing Africa programme will fast track investment by supporting Africa Growth Impact Fund II with due diligence, corporate finance, ESG compliance, gender inclusion, supply chain and manufacturing operations support to eligible manufacturing companies targeted for investment by the fund. In a challenging economic climate, this collaboration is designed to support Nigerian manufacturers in accessing the capital they need to grow, create jobs and drive long term economic growth.
In view of this, the first Nigerian company enlisted for the UK Manufacturing Africa’s support to raise $7.5 million debt finance under this arrangement is Terra Aqua; an aluminium recycler based in Ogun State.
TLG Capital has expressed interest in investing this whole amount in the company subject to meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) and other operational performance indicators that Manufacturing Africa will guide the company through.
This single deal has the potential to create 200 direct jobs and 752 indirect jobs utilising a recycling process that requires 95% less energy than producing primary aluminium.
Since 2020, Manufacturing Africa has supported 41 deals that are seeking to raise over $1 billion of foreign direct investment and create 38,000 direct jobs across Nigeria. Across Africa as a whole, the programme has raised almost $2.4 billion and created 102,000 new jobs. With the financial close of 13 of these deals, the programme has directly facilitated the inflow of over $150 million of foreign direct investment into Nigeria.
Speaking on this latest partnership, the UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said: “A strong manufacturing sector is key to driving economic growth and industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa. By supporting TLG Capital, we’re fostering greater capital flows into Nigeria, which in turn supports job creation, generates wealth and secures a prosperous future.
“TLG Capital is one of the key partners we are working with to improve foreign direct investments that support manufacturing in Nigeria, which will have a lasting positive impact on both our economies”
Manufacturing Africa programme Team Leader Thomas Pascoe said: “This landmark investment emphasises the scale of the development opportunity in manufacturing across Africa. Manufacturing Africa has already helped create 102,000 jobs through the $2.4bn of FDI we have supported, and we look forward to working closely with TLG Capital to support investments by the AGID II fund.”
Co-Founder of TLG Capital, Isha Doshi said: “Today, one in four SME loans in Africa is under stress, and yet, the entrepreneurial spirit is unshaken. AGIF II is about capital that understands context – financing that’s flexible, strategic, and backed by advisory horsepower from Manufacturing Africa. TLG AGIF II brings together both capital and capacity building.”
The fantasy that natural resources are inexhaustible and always renewable, despite the overwhelming amount of waste generated has been dispelled by the alarming decline of our environmental health.
Similarly, Nigeria faces a daunting waste management challenge, with statistics painting a grim picture. Annual waste generation in the country stands at 32 million metric tons, with a 20-30 percent collection rate. Daily waste generation per capita is approximately 0.51kg, with total waste expected to reach 107 million tonnes by 2050.
The country also generates 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with a below 10 percent recycling rate. These statistics have ranked Nigeria among the world’s worst waste management offenders, with far-reaching environmental and health consequences, including greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and land degradation.
The theme of this year’s Global Recycling Day “Breaking Barriers: A Revolutionary Blueprint for the Waste Management Crisis”, is particularly poignant, as it serves as a timely reminder of the vital role recycling plays in combating climate change, preserving natural resources, and driving sustainable development.
It cautions us against embracing habits that undermine our collective well-being and jeopardize the prospects of future generations.
Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to update its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as part of its obligation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) present an opportunity to prioritize renewable energy sources, including waste-to-energy technologies, as part of a Just Transition.
The country must adopt policies that promote sustainable practices and guarantee the protection of its ecosystems while fostering economic development and social equity.
The fate of our planet hangs precariously in the balance, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices and environmental protection.
This is why climate activists such as Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), believe that “addressing this challenge demands a concerted effort to promote recycling awareness, engage communities in sustainable initiatives, and develop innovative waste management solutions.”
Oluwafemi further emphasised the importance of governments and stakeholders collaborating to establish an enabling environment, supported by forward-thinking policies and a robust legal framework.
In addition, Ogunlade Olamide, Asssociate Director (Climate Change) at CAPPA, notes that transitioning to a circular economy necessitates a deliberate shift in individual behaviour.
“We must prioritize reducing, reusing, and recycling to achieve this goal,” he stressed.
Olamide recommended minimising the use of single-use plastics and opting for reusable alternatives, such as bags, containers, and water bottles. By embracing this approach, he maintained, “we can decrease greenhouse gas emissions, create new job opportunities, and drive sustainable economic growth.”
To build a sustainable future, we must dismantle the barriers posed by outdated infrastructure and adopt cutting-edge waste management solutions that prioritise environmental stewardship.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA) says gas flaring from offshore oil and gas operations led Nigeria to a loss of $78.2 million (about N118.864 billion) in January and February 2025, as oil and gas companies operating in the country flared 22.3 billion standard cubic feet (BSCF) of gas from their offshore activities within the two months.
Gas flaring
NOSDRA calculated the loss using the Central Bank of Nigeria’s current exchange realities of N1,520 to a dollar.
The environmental watchdog for the oil and gas industry disclosed this in its gas flare report for January and February 2025, saying the amount lost from the offshore oil and gas operations in the first two months of the year represents 31.48 percent of the total amount lost to gas flaring within the period.
It noted in the report that the volume of gas flared from the offshore segment of the industry in January and February contributed 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere, had power generation potential of 2,200 Gigawatts hour while the companies that flared the gas were liable for penalties of $44.7 million (N67.944 billion).
In the same period in 2024, oil and gas firms operating offshore flared 29.2 BSCF of gas; valued at $102.3 million (N155.496 billion); with penalties payable of $58.4 (N88.768 billion); carbon dioxide emissions of 1.6 million tonnes and power generation potential of 2,900 GWh.
NOSDRA had earlier reported that, overall, Nigeria lost $248.4 million (about N377.568 billion) to gas flaring in the two months of the year, putting the volume of gas flared by the oil and gas company during the period at 71.0 BSCF.
It said the total 71.0 BSCF of gas flared by the oil and gas companies in the two months of 2025 contributed 3.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere; and had potential of generating 7,100 Gigawatts hour of electricity.
In addition, the defaulting companies were liable for penalties payment of $141.9 million, about N215.688 billion.
NOSDRA reported that the offending companies flared gas from Oil Mining Leases, OMLs, 04, 05, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 22, 28, 23, 24, 38, 40, 42, 43, 72, 49, 54, 90, 95, 67, 70, 104, 59, 99, 100, 101, 102 and Oil Prospecting Licences, OPLs, 222, 316 and 306, among others.
The agency listed the offending companies as Shell Petroleum, Development Company, SPDC; Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC; Chevron Nigeria; Mobil Oil; Elf Petroleum Nigeria; Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC; Addax Petroleum; Texaco Overseas (Nigeria); Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria; Allied Energy Resources; Ultramar Petroleum; Atlas Petroleum; Cromwell; Afric Oil and Marketing; Famfa Oil; Moni Pulo; and South Atlantic Petroleum, among others.
The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has announced the launch of the Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES) for its more than 110 host and pipeline communities in Rivers State.
Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG), Dr Philip Mshelbila
Dr Sophia Horsfall, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, made the remark during the inauguration of the economic empowerment programme in Port Harcourt on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Horsfall, represented by Mr. Charles Epelle, Manager of Community Relations and Sustainable Development, stated that VIBES would replace the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), which had been operational since 2004.
She explained that VIBES was established to foster entrepreneurial knowledge and networks essential for the development of entrepreneurs and change-makers within Rivers communities.
“NLNG believes that entrepreneurship is not merely about starting and running businesses but creating opportunities that drive economic growth and positive social change in our host communities.
“We are confident that VIBES will foster an environment in which individuals can establish businesses, generate employment, and emerge as innovators.
“This belief underpins our commitment to nurturing local capacity and enabling individuals to become creators of jobs, wealth, and lasting impact,” she said.
Horsfall noted that the previous scheme had trained over 1,400 youths across 10 different empowerment programmes over the past 21 years.
The programmes include automotive engineering, advanced welding, catering and hotel management, fashion design and cosmetology, farm management, information and communication technology, as well as photography and video production.
She added that NLNG had assembled industry experts in entrepreneurship, business development, law, technology and innovation, and several other fields to continue the training and mentoring of selected business operators.
According to Horsfall, the model will ensure their continued survival, growth, and sustainability of the businesses.
“Beneficiaries will undergo professional, practical, and participatory training designed to build robust technical and managerial capacities.
“The top 50 participants will each receive a grant of 1,300 dollars (about N2.91 million), disbursed in two tranches.
“This funding is intended to assist in scaling up their businesses, supported by a broader system of mentorship, networking opportunities, and additional services,” she added.
The NLNG General Manager also stated that the company would provide comprehensive business training, covering financial management, marketing, strategic planning, legal practices, and other essential areas.
Horsfall, however, expressed regret that only about 300 of the 1,400 individuals trained under the discontinued YES scheme had established and were operating viable business to date.
Environmental experts, under the aegis of the Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW), have warned that several coastal communities in the Niger Delta region may disappear by 2050 if environmental protection laws are not enforced.
Coastal erosion in Lagos
The Executive Director of the group, Dr Judith Asuni, made the remark during a workshop themed, “Conflicts in Coastal Communities,” in Port Harcourt, on Monday, April 28, 2025.
She said that the workshop was organised by the group and funded by the European Union through the C7 project.
She noted that climate change had a devastating impact on the Niger Delta.
Asuni said that the rising sea levels and frequent flooding had fueled communal conflicts, displaced residents, and intensified competition over dwindling resources.
“Displacement has triggered recurrent land disputes and increased communal tensions in this region,” she said.
Asuni urged government at all levels to take urgent action to enforce environmental protection laws and mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities.
Also speaking, Mrs. Nkoyo Toyo, the Deputy Director, AAPW, emphasised the urgent need to enforce environmental laws to address land encroachment, loss of aquatic biodiversity, and climate-induced migration in the Niger Delta region.
Toyo noted that the coastal region, spanning hundreds of kilometers, was a fragile ecosystem under threat from multiple angles, with climate change being a critical factor.
She attributed environmental degradation to unregulated practices of oil companies and the failure to regulate emissions and enforce environmental standards.
By Precious Akutamadu
Toyo explained that environmental degradation contributed to migration and scarcity of resources, heightening the risk of violent conflict.
“When people are displaced and resources become scarce, tensions rise, making it impossible to address conflict without addressing environmental and climate issues,” she added.
Toyo called for a holistic approach to environmental enforcement, involving community leaders, policymakers, and security agencies.
She cited traditional conservation practices, such as seasonal bans on fishing, as examples of grassroots efforts that are being undermined by external actors.
She noted that leveraging on the potentials of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for infrastructure development could protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of sea level rise and flooding.
Also Mrs Nimi Elele, representing the Rivers State Ministry of Environment’s Climate Change Desk, warned that entire communities in the Niger Delta region could vanish unless urgent measures were taken to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Elele noted that sea-level rising during the rainy season led to severe flooding, damaging infrastructure and forcing people to migrate inland.
According to her, damage of infrastructure and inland migration increases social risks, including child molestation and sexual abuse.
“Fishing yields have dropped significantly, pushing many coastal dwellers into poverty and hunger.
‘’If urgent action like public awareness campaign to educate residents on the causes and consequences of climate change and implementation of policies are not taken, we are bound for extinction,” she said.
Participants from Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers who attended the workshop, called for government immediate action.
Top United Nations (UN) officials on Monday, April 28, 2025, in New York called for urgent action to rescue the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and revive international cooperation.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Speaking at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) annual forum on financing for development, they warned that a staggering 4 trillion dollars annual financing gap threatened global development goals.
The officials: UN Secretary-General, António Guterres; President, General Assembly Philémon Yang; and President, ECOSOC, Bob Rae, stressed the need for more resources and a global financial overhaul.
Without an effective response, they stressed, the world risked falling even further behind on ending poverty, fighting climate change, and building new sustainable economies.
Last week, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) held Spring Meetings where global growth, trade tensions and the rising debt burden in developing countries were front and centre.
“This year’s ECOSOC Forum comes at a pivotal time,” Guterres told delegates, warning that global cooperation itself was under threat.
He pointed to rising trade tensions as a major risk, noting that fair trade was a clear example of the benefits of international collaboration.
Guterres said the surge in trade barriers posed a “clear and present danger” to the global economy.
He said this was evident in recent downgrades to global growth forecasts by the IMF, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and UN economists.
“In a trade war, everybody loses – especially the most vulnerable countries and people, who are hit the hardest,” he said.
Guterres highlighted how many donors were pulling back from aid commitments while soaring borrowing costs drained public investments, putting the SDGs “dramatically off track.”
“With just five years to reach the SDGs, we need to shift into overdrive,” he stressed.
UN chief urged countries to deliver bold outcomes at the upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, in Seville, Spain.
“Against this turbulent background, we cannot let our financing for development ambitions get swept away,” Guterres stated.
ECOSOC President Bob Rae echoed these concerns, emphasising that over three billion people live in countries where governments spend more on interest payments than on health or education.
“We desperately need a more affordable debt architecture – it’s that simple,” he said.
Rae called for urgent reforms that would allow countries a fair chance to repay what they owed while investing in their futures.
He also sounded the alarm over rising trade barriers citing recent moves by major economies, like the United States, to impose new tariffs.
“Trade is not a four-letter word, it is a positive way for countries to exchange goods and services and emerge from poverty,” Rae said.
He urged countries not to see trade as a zero-sum game, where there are only winners and losers.
Rae admonished them to embrace fair, open trading systems as a path to shared prosperity.
General Assembly President Philémon Yang underscored the consequences of rising debts and shrinking fiscal space.
According to him, in more than 50 developing countries, governments now spend over 10 per cent of their revenues on debt servicing.
The UN economist said that in 17 of them, debt servicing gulps over 20 per cent, which is a clear warning sign of default.
“Our inability to reform the international financial architecture is severely restricting capital access,” Yang warned.
He stressed that closing the financing gap now estimated at over 4 trillion dollars annually was critical to achieving the SDGs.
“Time is of the essence. Let us use this ECOSOC Forum to bridge divides, build trust, and lay the foundation for success,” he said.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are all interconnected, for instance progress on SDG 2 to end hunger is closely tied to advances in health and education.
As negotiations continue towards an agreed outcome in Seville, Secretary-General Guterres highlighted three priority areas.
They include tackling unsustainable debt, strengthening multilateral development banks and unlocking new streams of sustainable finance.
He called for mobilising more domestic resources, innovative financing solutions, better controls on illicit financial flows and stronger partnerships with the private sector.
ECOSOC President Rae added that the conversation must move beyond declarations to concrete, measurable action.
“We need innovation, creativity and partnerships that deliver lasting and transformative impact,” he said.
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development will hold from June 30 to July 3, 2025, in Seville, Spain.
It represents a critical opportunity to rebuild the global financial system to unleash the investments urgently needed to achieve the SDGs.
With Nigeria’s mounting issues, whether in education or health, there is no doubt that the Non-profit as Service (NAAS) initiative is a game changer that has given hope to many, particularly young people in the country.
Participants at Servelead Humanitarian Initiative’s Social Impact Roundtable 3.0 in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja
This project, initiated by Servelead Humanitarian Initiative (SHI), strives to go beyond discussions and dive into action, thereby promoting social impact by supporting several persons in realising their ambitions. It accomplishes this by bringing together leaders from various sectors who have been doing outstanding work to address these problems.
In accordance with the scheme’s objectives, the non-profit organisation dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through empowerment initiatives and community development projects held the third NAAS Social Impact Roundtable in Abuja on Friday, April 25, 2025, with a focus on how to use cutting-edge technologies as solutions to some of the issues that many Nigerians face.
Several activities were held throughout the programme, such as the investiture of three new Global NAAS Ambassadors, including Dr. Linus Okorie, Chief Executive Officer of GOTNI Leadership Centre.
Princess Alugwe, the organisation’s Director of Operations, told EnviroNews on the sidelines of the event that one of the driving forces behind each roundtable is the creation of a policy and position paper that informs relevant stakeholders about the best way forward.
Challenges and solutions
Given the massive obstructions that plague the nation’s social space, Alugwe believes that what her organisation is doing through the NAAS initiative is an excellent response to the current crisis.
Numerous Nigerians have brilliant ideas that could improve societal effect, but they are constrained by a lack of resources and the high operating costs. Because SHI is well aware of this issue, it established NAAS as a platform to assist individuals, non-profit groups, and the government in bridging that gap.
The theme of the 3.0 edition of the social impact roundtable, “Innovating for Impact: Sustainable Solutions for a Better Future”, was actually influenced by the knowledge of these deficiencies and the necessity to look for solutions to reduce them. The goal is to call attention to low-tech innovation, such as developing educational tips and material utilising USSD and other apps that can be implemented in different communities to ensure that persons living there have access, learn more, and gain a better awareness of the world.
“What NAAS does is help reduce that operational cost, connecting you with various other organisations and strategic partners across the globe and raising funds for a better impact,” the SHI director of operations explained.
The Minister of Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, said it is critical to be open and honest about the problems facing humanity, claiming that young people in Nigeria and a large portion of the continent deal with declining opportunities, increasing unemployment, and restricted access to high-quality education.
For him, the NAAS project and the 3.0 social impact roundtable are something more than just a celebration of progress; they are a reaffirmation of stakeholders’ shared commitment to driving meaningful change across numerous communities in Nigeria and beyond.
“They are at a pivotal crossroads, and the choices we make today will shape their futures,” he said.
But within every challenge lies opportunity. The minister, who was represented at the occasion by Obinna Nwaka, the Director General, Committee on Youth Mobilisation and Sensitisation, elaborated that the rise of technology offers a powerful tool for transformation.
Initiatives like those led by Servelead, Engr. Olawande added, particularly in digital literacy and access to clean water, are already laying the foundation for a better tomorrow.
“It is up to us to build on that foundation and scale our efforts so that no one is left behind,” he urged.
He said today’s roundtable is a chance to move beyond conversation into collaboration and urged everyone to speak openly, share boldly, and think innovatively.
According to him, his vision for the youth is bold yet simple: a future where they are not just recipients of support but active architects of change. So, there is a need to build an ecosystem that gives them access to quality education, mentorship, digital tools, and resources that ignite their potential and fuel their aspirations.
The minister ended his remarks by assuring that the renewed hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Youth Development are committed to ensuring Nigerian youth are self-reliant and given a sense of belonging through various programmes and activities of the ministry.
Way forward
Some of the social gaps that are impeding the nation’s social progress are brought on by the widespread presumption that one knows the concerns that vulnerable communities confront without reaching out to them directly to find out what their actual problems are. In order to determine the actual requirements and areas in which these communities require assistance, a needs assessment must be conducted.
Additionally, boosting the hearts. Many people in Nigeria are going through a lot. Aside from simply providing solutions, it is critical to maintain a personal touch when dealing with various communities and groups.
“I think that is what I will do differently, because personally, as Princess, I don’t really see many solutions that are being provided,” Alugwe stated.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on Monday, April 28, 2025, signed grant agreements with nine renewable energy companies to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians.
A solar mini-grid system
The companies are Privida Power Limited, Baobab Plus, Salpha Energy, Asolar, NTA-StarTimes, A4&T Power Solutions, Sunking Greenlight Planet, Bboxx, and D.Light.
The development marks the first signing under the World Bank-funded Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project, following its official launch in 2024.
“This initiative also contributes to the broader Mission 300, a global effort to deliver energy access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, as Nigeria advances toward achieving universal electricity access,” REA said.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, said the project aimed to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians by deploying 1,350 mini-grids.
He explained that the interconnected mini-grids being deployed were intended to enhance the reliability of electricity supply to Bands D and E customers, while also expanding access to underserved communities.
Aliyu said the project’s implementation was divided into two components: “Deployment of mini-grids (both isolated and interconnected), and deployment of solar home systems.”
He stated that 198 sites had already been submitted under the project, projecting an estimated 340,000 new connections and the addition of 47 megawatts of clean, reliable electricity to the national grid.
“The 11 sites we are signing with Privida Power Limited alone will add over 2.5 megawatts of reliable energy, resulting in an additional 11,000 connections,” he said.
“Meanwhile, eight companies will deploy 1.6 million solar home systems across rural areas.”
According to him, this effort demonstrates REA’s commitment to scaling up access to electricity and tackling the challenges in Nigeria’s power sector.
He noted that the government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was aggressively addressing the nation’s electricity challenges.
“The issue of 18 million Nigerians without access to electricity will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to interventions like DARES and other REA projects,” Aliyu added.
“Today’s signing is not just a contract; it is a commitment to communities long underserved by conventional infrastructure.”
Also speaking, Mr Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), emphasised the broader impact of the initiative.
“Every connection made under DARES represents a doorway to education, healthcare, commerce, and inclusion,” he said.
“The over 11,027 new connections to be delivered under this project symbolise lives transformed, futures energised, and a Nigeria that leaves no one behind.”
He noted that partnerships like these served as a blueprint for achieving Nigeria’s national energy access goals.
Akinyelure explained that DARES, a key initiative under NEP, was structured to catalyse the off-grid energy market through targeted grant support for mini-grid and standalone solar projects.
“These renewable energy solutions are crucial for providing reliable and affordable electricity to off-grid communities, unlocking their potential for social and economic advancement,” he said.
Under the Performance-Based Grant sub-component for isolated mini-grids, Privida Power Limited secured a grant to deploy solar mini-grids across 11 communities in Kogi, providing over 11,027 new connections.
In addition, the eight other companies under the Standalone Solar Systems (SAS) component signed agreements to roll out Tier 1 and Tier 2 plug-and-play solar solutions for households and MSMEs to expand energy access across rural Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the companies, Mr William Akalume, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Privida Power Limited, expressed commitment to the project.
“We are committed to the success of this project and appreciate the REA for the impactful work they are doing to improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to workplace safety, employee wellbeing, and innovation, as it marked the 22nd observance of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
SEEPCO workers observing the World Safety Day
SEEPCO, one of Africa’s fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies, commemorated the occasion with a week-long series of activities under the theme “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”
The celebrations, which concluded on April 26, 2025, ahead of the global observance on April 28, emphasised the evolving role of technology and digital solutions in enhancing workplace safety.
Throughout the week, employees across SEEPCO’s operational locations actively participated in various activities, including a health walk, a themed lecture on AI in workplace safety, leadership demonstrations, safety engagement sessions, and health talks promoting physical wellbeing and raising awareness about site-specific health challenges.
Aligned with its Health, Safety, Environment, and Fire (HSEF) objectives, SEEPCO’s safety teams had previously through the year 2024 conducted impactful campaigns, covering construction work safety, working at heights, fire drills, confined space entry protocols, alcohol testing for accident prevention, and seasonal campaigns such as protection against lightning strikes.
On the concluding day of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, SEEPCO also emphasised on its way forward with a comprehensive digital transformation of its health and safety systems to drive operational excellence and proactive risk management.
In the coming weeks, the company will roll out additional technology-driven platforms, including a real-time digital incident reporting system, a digital Unsafe Act and Unsafe Condition (UAUC) reporting tool, and a streamlined e-Permit to Work (PTW) system, all designed to enhance transparency, compliance, and responsiveness.
This transformation will be achieved through advanced HSEF (Health, Safety, Environment, and Fire) data analytics, artificial intelligence, and predictive monitoring, strengthening SEEPCO’s ability to anticipate and prevent incidents while empowering employees to play an active role in building a safer, smarter workplace.
These initiatives are not just about automation; they are about empowerment, giving every employee the tools to make better decisions, prevent harm, and continuously improve.
Reinforcing its focus on professional development, SEEPCO provided specialised safety training through internationally accredited agencies.
Notably, a National Training Course on Nucleonic Gauging Equipment, Well Logging, Waste Management, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) was conducted at the National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research (NIRPR), University of Ibadan, certifying employees as Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs).
Further advancing its environmental sustainability agenda, SEEPCO organised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management Awareness Training for around 50 employees, building internal capacity for effective GHG management and compliance with emerging environmental regulations.
As part of its commitment to emergency preparedness, SEEPCO collaborated with the Lagos State Fire Service for a joint emergency drill, strengthening inter-agency coordination and ensuring robust readiness for critical situations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, SEEPCO’s spokesperson emphasised: “At SEEPCO, safety is not just a priority; it is our value. We are embracing innovation and digitalisation to revolutionise our approach to health and safety. Our commitment is unwavering – to protect lives, enhance wellbeing, and build a resilient workforce for the future.”
Since its establishment in 2003, Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has embedded safety into the core of its operations across Nigeria. The company continues to drive operational excellence while contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and championing a future where safety, technology, and sustainability are deeply intertwined.
“Remarkably, SEEPCO is among the few producing companies out of more than 70 successful bidders that signed PSCs’ during Nigeria’s 2005 licensing round to achieve first oil within a record time of just two years. SEEPCO’s journey has been marked by numerous challenges, operating in the tough terrains of its allotted Oil Mining Licenses and blocks.
“However, through perseverance and consistent commitment, the company has stood resilient against all odds. SEEPCO today stands proudly as one of the fastest-growing oil exploration and production companies in Africa,” the company remarked.
As the month of April 2025 comes to an end, there is need to recall and reflect on messages from three of some of the world’s most significant annual global environmentally related observances namely: World Wetlands Day (February 2), World Water Day (March 22), and Earth Day (April 22).
A scene within Ghana’s Densu Ramsar Site, where community members are engaged in a thriving artisanal fisheries industry. This demonstrates that a healthy and vibrant wetland is a source of livelihood for local community members
They unfolded with a unifying message: the urgent need to restore natural ecosystems, combat climate change, and protect the life-supporting systems of the earth.
From wetlands conservation and water management to renewable energy advocacy, their 2025 themes reflect a growing global consensus that environmentally related actions are not just about saving nature, but about promoting human wellbeing and resilience for all.
Earth Day: Accelerating the Renewable Revolution
Earth Day 2025, the most recently observed of the Days, boldly called for a worldwide transition to clean, renewable energy by tripling global renewable electricity generation by 2030. With fossil fuel emissions driving the climate crisis, Earth Day activists urged leaders to prioritise solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal and other sustainable energy sources.
The campaign also spotlighted environmental justice, demanding that no community be left behind in the global shift to a green economy.
Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Astrid Schomaker, used the occasion to remind the international community of how Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), including youth, women and children, have lived in harmony with Mother Earth for millennia.
She was concerned that “today they are among those most affected by the environmental crises afflicting the planet”.
Ms. Schomaker noted that the practices and innovations of IPLCs constitute a wealth of traditional knowledge that is crucial for global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and to address climate change. She continued that such role of IPLCs is recognized in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (the KMGBF), adopted at COP 15 in Montreal in December 2022.
The framework acknowledges “indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians of biodiversity and as partners in its conservation, restoration and sustainable use”.
Water Day: Preserve glaciers to secure global fresh water sources
World Water Day 2025 highlighted the critical role glaciers play in sustaining freshwater supplies for drinking, agriculture, industry, ecosystems and the global water system.
Glaciers are accumulated ice and snow that slowly flows from high elevated areas down mountainsides into valleys and across lands. Glaciers store almost 70% of Earth’s freshwater, acting as natural reservoirs that release meltwater essential for various human and ecological needs.
However, global warming has led to accelerated glacier melting with 2023 witnessing over 600 gigatons of water loss – the highest in the past 50 years, according to the Global Water Partnership. This rapid unprecedented melting is disrupting the water cycle, leading to more unpredictable and extreme weather patterns including increased incidences of floods, droughts, landslides and sea-level rise.
This, says UN-Water, “is endangering billions of people and countless ecosystems as well as threatening water security”. In Ghana and for the rest of the West African sub-region, the 2025 World Water Day served as reminder that although glaciers may be remote, they are an essential component of the water cycle, nourishing our rivers and lakes.
Therefore, their disappearance, also means less water for consumption by the population, less water for industrial development, a lower hydroelectric energy generation capacity, and less water for agriculture.
So, the national durbar to celebrate the Day in Accra, was an occasion to resound the call for all hands-on deck, to conserve Ghana’s water resources and ensure that every Ghanaian has access to this life-giving resource.
Reflecting over the Day’s national theme: “Water Conservation: Let’s Make It Our Way of Life”, Deputy Minister of Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, said “it is a wakeup call for all Ghanaians to intensify their commitment to reversing the deterioration of the country’s water bodies”.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Adam Mutawakilu, urged Ghanaians to renew their commitment to protect and conserve the nation’s fresh water resources.
“This is because of the reality that our water resources are not infinite, therefore, urgent action is required to ensure sustainability,” he stated.
Re-echoing similar sentiments, Acting Executive Director of the Water Resources Commission (WRC), Dr. Bob Alfa, was concerned that water availability for Ghanaians was way below the minimum annual requirement.
“Currently, the water resources per capita is about 1700 m3/cap/yr. This is well below the minimum threshold per capita of 1900 m3/cap/yr,” Dr. Alfa stated, adding that, “this is largely due to the combine effects of climate change and pollution resulting largely from illegal mining”.
Wetlands Day: Protecting wetlands for man’s sustainable welfare
The Day’s celebration underscored the importance of wetlands in maintaining ecological balance by supporting biodiversity, regulating water cycles, and mitigating climate change. Globally, wetlands are among the world’s most productive ecosystems, yet they are also among the most threatened.
So, for this year, the main campaign call is for bold action to safeguard these vital habitats for current and future generations.
In Ghana, the Wildlife Division (WD) of the Forestry Commission (FC) in collaboration with the Obane Community within the Songor Lagoon Ramsar Site in Ada, commemorated World Wetlands Day 2025 with a symbolic Mangrove planting and a durbar at the Dove Park, in Ada Foah.
An address read on behalf of the Acting Chief Executive of the FC, Dr Hugh Brown, said the Day’s celebration is a call for collective responsibility to conserve and restore wetlands to ensure a sustainable ecosystem for present and future generations.
On the state of Ghana’s wetlands, he said, “They are disappearing three times faster than forests. Hence, the need for all to actively participate in the conservation and restoration of Ghana’s wetlands ecosystems.”
What the trio celebrations means for Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa
The trio celebrations clearly depict the global community rallying around the themes of ecosystem restoration, water cooperation, and a shift to renewable energy in 2025, with sub-Saharan Africa and countries like Ghana in particular, standing at a critical crossroads.
The relevance of these themes goes beyond mere symbolism. They speak directly to the most pressing development and environmental challenges of countries like Ghana calling for urgent collective actions in ecosystem restoration in the face significant pressure from widespread degradation due to deforestation, agriculture, mining, infrastructural expansion and climate change.
This would involve an examination of provisions including those made for ecosystem restoration in the various urban planning and national development policies, and legal frameworks.
Where need be, the existing polices and framework, may have to be revised, amended or revoked. Also, with increasing pressure from climate change impacts, population growth, and urbanisation on freshwater supplies, the trio celebrations proposed proactive water management as imperative and critical measure.
This is not to safeguard public health, ensure food and energy security, protect the environment only, but also to prevent potential social conflicts. Also, it would strengthen their resilience, drive economic development, and honor the commitment to leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
On the subject of clean energy and in Ghana’s case, while, she has made strides with hydropower and solar initiatives, yet still, energy access remains unequal, particularly in rural areas. Hence, a significant part of the population remaining unreached.
But, under Ghana’s Renewable Energy Master Plan, huge potential exists for scaling up solar and mini-grid projects. Along with these opportunities, comes the urgent need to create green jobs in energy, conservation and climate adaptation, which is vital for the nation’s growing youth population.
Another crucial message can be seen in the push for Ghana and other sub-Saharan nations toward a model of development that is green, just, and inclusive. And to get there, countries need to strengthen the performance of systems and institutions put in place to administer the various sectors.
This should be supported by reinforced environmental governance and enforced regulations that protect biodiversity.Local communities should be appropriately empowered with tools and knowledge to adapt to climate change.
Regional and national structures should be revitalised to champion climate finance access that would enable Africa to lead in solutions and not keep suffering consequences.
