Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Development Agenda magazine, Mr. Paddy Ezeala, on Tuesday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 17, 2024, presented the communique and the report of the recently held Energy Transition Symposium to the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, respectively.
Themed “‘Energy Transition in an Oil-dependent Economy” and supported by Ford Foundation, the symposium held in Abuja.
With more than 80% of mining regulations not being followed, particularly by artisanal miners, Nigerian stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the sector to restore sanity and increase its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The group, which made the call in Abuja at the 2024 Multi-stakeholder Roundtable organised by Global Rights in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), lamented that the nation’s unregulated mining activities have negatively impacted the sector, to the point where it now contributes less than one percent of GDP.
In light of this, the event’s organisers feel that expanding the conversation’s participant base will help to effectively address the problem. This idea served as the inspiration for the programme’s theme, “Enhancing Inclusiveness: An Imperative for Promoting Transparency, Accountability, and Development in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry.”
“We live with the environmental and socio-economic consequences of lax oversight,” Abiodun Baiyewu, the executive director of Global Rights, said.
Even more tragic, she added, is that while many Nigerians will suffer the aftermaths of this irresponsibility in the future, these minerals lay the way for economic growth in the countries where they are illegally transported.
As a result, the environmental rights advocate emphasised the need for inclusion in strengthening host communities’ rights, increasing transparency, and fostering a path towards sustainability.
While NEITI’s audit reports on the industry show a few drips of progress in recent years, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, NEITI’s executive secretary, hinted that this was insufficient to make a significant difference in the economy.
In 2021, the solid minerals sector contributed 0.63 percent, of GDP, according to the latest NEITI statistics, he claims. And, given the huge potential “we have in the sector,” anyone would emphatically reject this scenario.
The low inclusion of women is another major issue he observed that needs to be addressed to accelerate growth and move the sector forward. For instance, the latest independent industry audit report conducted by NEITI in the oil, gas, and mining sectors disclosed that 56 out of 70 companies covered had a total of 19,171 employees. 15,639 (82%) were men, while 3,532 (18%) of the employees were women.
“Similarly, out of 2,325 top or high-level positions, women’s representation were less than 100,” Dr. Orji stated.
Another person who firmly feels that this issue needs a speedy solution to prevent the long-term environmental effects of natural resource exploitation on the socioeconomic development of the nation is Mr. Emmanuel Kuyole, the programme officer of the Ford Foundation.
Kuyole, who sees this setback as an opportunity for Nigeria to create green jobs, wants the conversation about transitioning from oil and gas to renewable energy to “centre on the lives of those affected by mineral extraction” to avoid a repeat of the Nigeria Delta situation.
By Nsikak Ekere, Abuja
Natural Eco Capital, a Lagos-based sustainability firm, is celebrating and congratulating the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) on its successful accreditation to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This milestone reflects DBN’s commitment to advancing climate action and sustainable finance.
Key Benefits of the Accreditation include:
3. Collaboration and Vision:
Natural Eco Capital’s collaboration with DBN, over the years, exemplifies the power of sustainable partnerships, driving positive change, fostering resilience, and shaping a more sustainable future.”
The collaboration has resulted in significant achievements such as in the following:
Natural Eco Capital is a member of the Capitals Coalition and works closely with government agencies, financial institutions, and investors to address emerging sustainability challenges.
By Dr. Eugene Itua, CEO of Natural Eco Capital, eugeneitua@ecopital.com
As preparations get underway for the Summit of the Future holding September 2024, the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development has concluded with UN Member States adopting a ministerial declaration aiming to boost multilateral efforts to scale up action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The declaration addresses the theme of the 2024 ECOSOC and HLPF on “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions” and underscores actions for implementing the SDGs under in-depth review during this year’s HLPF.
“We must continue seeking solutions to advance the implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Ms. Paula Narváez, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The HLPF offered the opportunity for governments, the private sector, civil society and other partners to exchange experiences and showcase innovative solutions aimed at accelerating implementation of the SDGs. Held under the auspices of ECOSOC, this year’s Forum focused on specific goals related to no poverty (SDG1); zero hunger (SDG2); climate action (SDG13); peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG16); and partnerships (SDG17), while stressing the critical need to boost efforts during the six years remaining to meet the 2030 deadline.
Urgent call to accelerate SDGs implementation
At this time, only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are on track and current progress falls far short of what is required to meet the SDGs, according to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, released on June 28, 2024. The annual investment gap for developing countries to achieve the SDGs stands at $4 trillion.
The report also reveals that about 23 million more people were living in extreme poverty and over 100 million more were suffering from hunger in 2022 compared to 2019. Greenhouse gas concentrations hit record highs in 2022, with real-time data in 2023 indicating a continued rise.
However, there has been progress in some areas. The world has made significant strides in combating HIV. New infections in 2022 dropped by 27 per cent compared with 2015. The number of deaths of children under five reached a historic low of 4.9 million in 2023. The share of renewable energy in the world’s total final energy consumption rose from 16.7 per cent in 2015 to 18.7 per cent in 2021. Around 95 per cent of the global population now has internet access, a 70 per cent increase in just eight years.
“Although the greatest challenges before us are daunting, together we can overcome them, achieve the peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future that all people not only need but deserve,” said UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, at the opening of the Forum.
Voluntary National Reviews
Thirty-six countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews at the Forum – highlighting the bold actions they have taken to achieve the SDGs.
Snapshot of countries’ reporting on progress:
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adekola Adelabu, has inaugurated the Ministerial Power Sector Working Group. The inauguration took place on Tuesday, July 17, 2024, in Abuja with directors and agencies under the supervision of the Ministry also signing performance contract to ensure proper tracking and supervision of projects.
The performance contract was signed on behalf of the agencies by the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and the Permanent Secretary on behalf of the Directors. Agencies present at the signing ceremony include the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN), Nigerian Electricity Management and Safety Agency (NEMSA), NELMCO, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET).
Speaking at the event, the Minister said the inauguration of the working group would serve as a platform for supervisory, monitoring and oversight control and clarify issues with detailed explanation of what is happening in the sector, since the activities are inter-related.
Adelabu, who acknowledged the existence of the meeting in the past, said it was necessary to re-introduce and improve on it, emphasising that the major reason for re-introducing the meeting of the working group was to create a platform for information sharing, dissemination and sector wide communication medium, which he described as key to greater productivity.
He revealed that the meeting of the working group would serve more like a backup for sector co-ordination and centralized project management.
While dissecting some of the benefits of the meeting of the working groups, the Minister said: “Another aspect is the synergy that we tend to gain from coming together for the first year and capacity optimisation.”
Adelabu said the meeting would further serve as a training platform and a “refresher opportunity for optimum representation of the power sector.”
He enjoined the working group to work hard in order to achieve the set target.
“What we are doing at the end of the meeting is to ensure the signing of the performance contract which is like a bond that will compel each and every one of us to deliver on our target.
“In November 2023, as Minister of Power, I signed a performance contract with the President which actually summarised what the President expects from us.
“Now, we have cascaded that contract down to the Departments and Agencies that will contribute to the overall achievement of what we signed with Mr. President as we know that it’s a top-down approach, which is also a bottom-up approach.”
The Minister expressed confidence and assurance that the overall target would be achieved as displayed by the response and enthusiasm of the working group.
Practicing good hygienic behaviour has to be integrated into routine clinic days such as ante-natal days and the immunisation days, so that on every clinic day health officials will be enlightening the public on basic things that need to be done in guarding against an epidemic such as cholera.
Mrs Grace Uwadiale, the Consultant on Kimberly Clark Sanitation and Hygiene Implementation Project, made the call in Lagos on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, during a sensitisation on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) procedures organised in conjunction with WaterAid Nigeria to curtail the spread of the deadly disease in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
While listing the five key Hygiene Behaviours to include: proper handwashing, food hygiene, use of clean toilets, menstrual hygiene and drinking of clean and safe water, the consultant however noted that “if Lagosians imbibe the culture of practicing the five key Hygiene Behaviour before now, the spread of cholera outbreak would not be as severe as we currently have it now, so we need to start reinforcing the key hygiene behaviour to the people”.
According to her, the 10-day sensitisation programme targeting over 200, 000 residents both in Ikorodu North and Ojodu Council Development Area which kicked-off on July 8, 2024, was organised to support the Lagos State Government in its fight against the cholera outbreak.
“Aside from sensitising the people, we’ve gone a step further in supporting the government by procuring Water Purification Tablet, Anti-Bacteria Handwash Liquid to be distributed to households, and even Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS Solution) for people who have already contacted the ailment,” she confirmed.
While commending efforts of the Lagos State Government, the Sanitation and Hygiene Consultant advocated more enforcement of sanitation laws to prevent outbreak of communicable diseases especially where Primary Healthcare Centres and schools are situated.
In his submission, Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo, WASHCOM Coordinator and Chairman, Community Development Committee in Ikorodu North LCDA, who admitted that most of the environments are dirty, also noted that the government has a lot of forces to compel the people to do the right thing. Without a little force some people will not realise the fact that they need to clear their environment, he submitted.
“I will advise that the government move in the environmental officials into areas just like we have it in the past, this will make people sit up and do the needful. I recall that, back in the days, Nigerians were so disciplined that they don’t litter the environment with dirt of all sorts. But now, the reverse is the case as people don’t care anymore. They dump refuse indiscriminately which leads to epidemic such as cholera we have in our midst today.”
Ogunbanwo, however, lauded the reintroduction of environmental sanitation by the State Government but urged LAWMA and other agencies to be alive to their responsibilities of evacuating waste generated at the grassroots promptly.
In his reaction, Mr. Lambert Umoru, WASHCOM Chairman of Ojodu LCDA, commended WaterAid Nigeria and its partners for investing in building WASH facilities across the state while appealing to residents to make good use of the knowledge gained during the sensitisation programme to improve their environment for a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
Some of the communities the WASH sensitisation programme are being implemented in Ikorodu include Agbede, Sabo, Lambo Lasunwon, Odo-Nla, Losi-Oba, Isiu, Parafa, Itamaga and Olorunda.
Also, in Ojodu LCDA residents of areas such as Berger, Gbadamosi, Aguda, Akiode, Oke-Ira, Oluwole, and Agidingbi were sensitised on how best to maintain good hygiene behaviour in the fight against cholera outbreak.
The 10-day Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Integrated Health Hygiene programme was carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and other agencies.
By Ajibola Adedoye
The Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st Issues) congratulates the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) on achieving accreditation to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The accreditation was confirmed on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
At the 39th Meeting of the GCF Board, which is holding in South Korea from July 15 to 18, the DBN was officially approved as a Direct Access Entity, marking a significant milestone as Nigeria’s first Direct Access Entity.
Becoming accredited to the GCF as a Direct Access Entity is no small feat. It requires significant scrutiny, thorough documentation, and assessments to ensure that the organisation is well-equipped to receive and deploy funds effectively for communities impacted by climate change.
The Green Climate Fund’s Direct Access feature is designed to help developing countries integrate climate funding with their national climate action plans. A Direct Access Entity, such as the Development Bank of Nigeria, is a national organisation authorised to receive project funds on behalf of the country, streamlining the process and avoiding high transactional costs associated with using external intermediaries.
Nigeria’s journey towards securing a Direct Access Entity has faced challenges, with various organisations like Nigeria’s Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) being previously considered. Despite hurdles, the Development Bank of Nigeria’s accreditation marks a significant milestone. Other African countries like Kenya, Namibia, Ghana, and Senegal have already achieved Direct Access accreditation, highlighting Nigeria’s delayed progress.
The Development Bank of Nigeria’s accreditation should serve as a catalyst for other organisations and government entities in Nigeria to seek GCF accreditation. Encouraging public and private entities to pursue accreditation can increase Nigeria’s access to climate finance.
Nigeria can utilise the new Project Specific Assessment Approach (PSAA) to expedite access to GCF resources. The PSAA involves evaluating an organisation’s capacity to adhere to GCF accreditation criteria for executing a single climate project or programme. The intended project must align with the Applicant’s climate priorities and GCF’s strategic goals.
The Development Bank of Nigeria’s accreditation to GCF could not have come at a better time when the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FLD) is currently being operationalised, and there are discussions around using accredited entities from other climate funds to access the FLD. The Accreditation of DBN strategically positions Nigeria to access climate finance through FLD.
Nigeria must, therefore, expedite the accreditation process for entities like NIRSAL, BOI, and Sub-National Entities to widen the opportunities for accessing climate finance directly.
As climate finance becomes integrated into Nigeria’s budget inflow, it is essential to prepare by developing projects with solid climate rationale to attract grants and support budget implementation, reducing reliance on debts for financing developmental projects.
By Titilope Ngozi Akosa, Executive Director of the Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st Issues), and one of the Alternate Active Civil Society Observers to the GCF
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP) of 2021 would lift millions out of poverty and bring modern renewable energy services to all.
Lawal made the assurance during the maiden conference in honour of Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, an agriculturist, at 60 held at the Coal City University (CCU), Enugu on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
The plan is aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels and for net-zero emissions by 2060.
ETP also proposes gas commercialization until 2030, then a gradual fossil fuel phase-out.
The event had as its theme: “Climate Justice and Just Energy Transition in Developing Countries”.
The event was organised by the Students of Nwajiuba, CCU and Centre for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AEFUNAI), Ebonyi State.
Nwajiuba is former Vice Chancellor of AEFUNAI and a Professor of Agriculture.
Lawal, represented by the Director, Department of Climate Change, Abuja, noted that Nigeria’s commitment to net zero by 2060 towards the transition would not happen spontaneously.
According to him, it would evolve gradually over time, taking into consideration the specific national circumstances.
“Nigeria, in her quest to match its climate commitments with action, is the first African country to design an energy transition plan (ETP) in 2021 with natural gas and renewables being the transition fuels.”
This, he said, would be defined by technologies, market incentives, policy shifts, and consumer behaviour.
“In a quest to ensure a just and equitable energy transition, the ministry during the 17th Session of the National Council of Environment, launched the National Clean Cooking policy approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March.
“It has the overall goal of providing sustainable adaptable forms of clean energy and low-carbon energy access to all Nigerians.
“The policy recognises the role of states and local governments in achieving its key objectives and will be implemented by the relevant Federal MDAs and transmitted to the 36 states and FCT, for buy-in and domestication,” he said.
Congratulating Nwajiuba, Lawal commended his contributions towards global and nation building.
In a keynote address on “Climate Change Act: Implications For Climate Action in Nigeria”, a former lawmaker, Mr Sam Onuigbo, said the act provided a framework for achieving low Greenhouse Gas (GHG), inclusive growth and sustainable economic development.
Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency from 2015 to 2023, lauded President Bola Tinubu for driving actions towards climate change since his assumption of office through positive pronouncements.
In a topic “The Role of National University Commission (NUC), in Mainstreaming Climate Change Mitigation and Justice in University Education in Nigeria”, Dr Noel Saliu, the Deputy Executive Secretary, NUC, said the commission had a critical role towards climate change.
He said NUC should ensure Nigerian universities produced graduates equipped to address the challenges of climate change by including climate change in their curricular.
Welcoming the participants earlier, Prof. Afam Ituma, the Vice Chancellor, CCU commended Nwajiuba’ s various actions on climate change, describing him as globally recognised champion on climate change.
According to him, the celebrator has demonstrated to the academic community and society admirable services and impacted lives.
While commending him for choosing the university to celebrate his 60th birthday, Ituma urged participants to develop policies and action plans towards tackling climate change in Nigeria.
By Alex Enebeli
The National Assembly has thrown its weight behind NNPC Limited’s ongoing efforts to boost Nigeria’s crude oil production and grow its reserves, saying it will consider stiffer consequences for crude oil thieves and vandals of the nation’s critical hydrocarbon infrastructure.
This was made known when the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) paid an oversight visit on the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), an upstream arm of the NNPC Ltd, at its headquarters in Lagos, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Jointly led by the Committee Chairmen from both chambers, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams and Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the legislators described the menace of crude oil theft and vandalism of critical oil and gas infrastructure as major challenges to Nigeria’s revenue generation and budget targets, which must be curtailed.
In his remarks, Senator Williams said it was imperative for the National Assembly to come up with legislative action that will help stop crude oil theft and increase Nigeria’s crude oil production.
He said that, from what they found at NUIMS, it is duty-bound on the legislature to come up with decisive measures that will help the government to achieve its set targets in the oil and gas sector.
On his part, Doguwa said that by virtue of their duties as a legislature, the lawmakers will fast-track the strengthening of a legislative framework to be able to check the excesses bedeviling the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Doguwa, who commended NNPC Ltd’s efforts for its industry-wide security collaboration against the nation’s hydrocarbon infrastructure, said more needs to be done to ensure the company increased Nigeria’s crude oil production and grow its reserves.
He said the legislature will consider deploying the stick and carrot approach towards addressing the issue, but where it becomes necessary, the stick approach must be emphasised to rise vehemently against any encumbrance standing in the way of Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
Earlier in his detailed presentation to the lawmakers, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO) of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Bala Wunti, described NUIMS as a trustee of Nigeria’s upstream investments which ensures the country maximises returns through effective supervision of its Joint Venture (JV), Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) and Service Contracts (SC) operating partners.
Wunti, who commended the lawmakers for their consistent support to the NNPC Ltd, said engagements with the National Assembly are crucial as they will help the NNPC Ltd in the attainment of its mandate.
“We are here to see how the NASS will help us produce more barrels and deliver value to our shareholders. Increasing production is the new narrative and your support is needed to enable us to achieve our set targets based on our key principles of safety, speed, compliance and efficiency,” Wunti informed the legislators.
He said that, so far, the industry-wide security collaboration against crude oil theft and vandalism of Nigeria’s critical hydrocarbon infrastructure through the four-way strategy of “Detect, Deter, Respond and Recover” have been instrumental in the recent restoration of some of the nation’s lost barrels.
As environmental, technological and societal change join forces to disrupt human and planetary health, the world must get better at tracking and responding to a host of emerging challenges, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Science Council (ISC).
Navigating New Horizons – A Global Foresight Report on Planetary Health and Human Wellbeing identifies eight critical global shifts that are accelerating the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
The shifts include humanity’s degradation of the natural world, the rapid development of technologies such as AI, competition for natural resources, widening inequalities and declining trust in institutions. These shifts are creating a polycrisis, in which global crises are amplifying, accelerating and synchronising – with huge implications for human and planetary wellbeing.
Eighteen accompanying signals of change – identified by hundreds of global experts through regional and stakeholder consultations that included youth – offer a deeper glimpse into potential disruptions, both positive and negative, that the world must prepare for.
“As the impacts of multiple crises intensify, now is the time to get ahead of the curve and protect ourselves from emerging challenges,” said UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen. “The rapid rate of change, uncertainty and technological developments we’re seeing, against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, means any country can be thrown off course more easily and more often.
“By monitoring signals of change and using the foresight approach outlined in this report – including looking outside the traditional environmental space – the world can avoid repeating mistakes of the past and focus on solutions that can withstand future disruption.”
Signals of change
Key shifts and signals of change outlined in the report include:
The demand for critical rare earth elements, minerals and metals to fuel the transition to net-zero is expected to increase fourfold by 2040, increasing calls for deep sea mining and even space mining. This poses potential threats to nature and biodiversity, could increase pollution and waste, and spark more conflicts.
As permafrost thaws on a warming planet, ancient organisms that may be pathogenic could be released, resulting in major environmental, animal and human impacts. This phenomenon has already led to an outbreak of anthrax in Siberia.
While AI and digital transformation can bring benefits, there are environmental implications – such as increased demand for critical minerals and rare earth elements and water resources to meet data centre demands. The use of AI in weapons systems and military applications, and the development of synthetic biology, need careful review through an environmental lens.
Armed conflict and violence are rising and evolving. These conflicts result in ecosystem degradation and pollution, leading to repercussions for vulnerable populations.
Forced displacement is increasing human health and environmental impacts. One in every 69 people is now forcibly displaced – nearly double the figures from a decade ago. Conflict and climate change are key drivers.
Adopting foresight
However, the report finds that using foresight tools can help the world to anticipate and prepare for the next emerging challenges and future disruptions.
Peter Gluckman, President of the ISC, said, “Foresight provides a useful set of tools to step outside of short-termism to help identify future opportunities and risks provided that it is done in a truly pluralistic manner, transcending narrow institutional mandates, sectors and other artificial divides that constrain our framing of the problems and the solutions.”
The report recommends adopting a new social contract that engages a diverse range of stakeholders, including indigenous people; giving young people a stronger voice; and rethinking measures of progress to go beyond GDP.
Governments and societies can also introduce shorter term targets and indicators that allow them to be more agile in governance. Ushering in tools and actions to reconfigure financial systems and reroute capital flows – a positive signal of change in the report – could help to reduce inequalities, eradicate extreme poverty and address environmental crises.
Supporting agile and adaptive governance would require better monitoring and assessment of interventions. This includes integrating and improving monitoring on environmental change, and making data and knowledge more accessible.
Just as the impacts of multiple crises are amplifying harm to environmental and human health, the solutions are in sight and actions are underway that would address the global shifts and signals of change identified in the report. Foresight can help to accelerate these actions and spark many more.
