The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, says the ministry generated over $500 million in export revenue in 2025 from industrial development and diversification of the economy.
Oduwole made the disclosure, when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment on Monday, February 9, to defend the ministry’s 2026 budget.
According to her, the ministry’s programmes had also created more than 20,000 direct jobs.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole
Oduwole said activity on Nigeria Commodity Exchange expanded sharply with traded volumes up by over 500 per cent.
According to her, the ministry advanced a strategic partnership to establish a national trade and distribution company to strengthen structured commodity trade and market access.
The minister said the ministry also secured the approval of the Federal Executive Council for the National Industrial Policy in November 2025.
“Importantly, in 2025, the ministry launched Nigeria’s first-ever National Intellectual Property Policy as a national trade and distribution company.
“We also secured the approval of the National Intellectual Property Policy as a national trade and distribution company.
She said that in 2005, the ministry’s appropriation was N11.8 billion with personnel and overhead allocations fully utilised.
Oduwole said that apart from the N3.8 billion capital allocation, no amount had been released to date.
According to her, revenue performance exceeded target by approximately N100 million with full remittance to the consolidated revenue fund.
“Within available resources, the ministry maintained fiscal discipline effective planning, and accountable use of public funds.
“2026 priorities and capital requirements, distinguished senators, with your support, continuing for the ministry, we are committed to ensuring that the speedy attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Accordingly, our 2026 priorities are firmly grounded in the national development plan and the existing policy frameworks, including the trade policy for Nigeria, the Nigerian investment policy, and the Nigerian industrial policy .
“In 2026, the ministry will focus on implementation, advancing industrial policy through targeted value chains and industrial cluster development and special economic zones. ”
She said the emphasis was firmly on giving priority to Nigeria’ s local production and non-oil exports.
The minister said that domestic investors would remain the anchor and the strongest signal of confidence in the economy, while global investors would continue to be engaged through trade missions and in-country investment visits.
“We will take delivery and impact to the sub-national level through the National AFCFT Tour, and structured zonal and state engagements that anchor value chains locally and strengthen state ownership of trade and industrial outcomes.
She said the efforts would be supported by the roll out of digital investor portals and trade intelligence tools aimed at improving transparency and coordination across trade and investment promotion.
The minister said the ministry’s proposed 2026 capital allocation stood at N2.72 billion
Oduwole said given the scope of responsibilities and the execution priorities outlined, the allocation would be a stretch in meeting the full demands of programs and capital projects of the ministry.
She sought the committee’s support for enhancement of its capital allocation to enable effective alignment of priority programs in line with objectives of national development plan and the medium-term expenditure framework
“It is in this context that I request your continued support as we work to collectively deliver on the ministry’s mandate to strengthen industrial development, expand trade, attract investment, and support economic growth across the Federation.”
The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MOE&WR) has officially launched the Ikosi Market Anaerobic Digester powered by C40 Cities Urban Climate Action Programme to turn waste-to-energy.
The project is facilitated by C40 Cities Urban Climate Action Programme – Climate Action Implementation (UCAP CAI), financed by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Dignitaries at the launch of the Ikosi Market Anaerobic Digester
It is also supported by the British High Commission in Nigeria.
This facility will systematically collect the market’s organic waste and feed it into an anaerobic digester.
The natural bacteria will break down the waste without oxygen to produce biogas.
And in doing so carry out a remarkable process of biological transformation that yields two invaluable products, biogas and bio-fertiliser.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, described the launch of the Biogas as a milestone achievement in addressing waste management issues in the state.
“Today is a proud moment for Ikosi, and indeed for Lagos State, as we mark another important milestone on our journey towards a cleaner, greener and more resilient city.
“We are not merely commissioning a facility; we are unveiling a vision on how Lagos can turn our everyday challenges into powerful opportunities.
“The Ikosi Fruit Market Biogas Plant represents a bold step in reimagining waste, not as a burden, but as a valuable resource that can drive sustainability, resilience and inclusive growth.
“This project transforms a long-standing problem into a practical solution. Instead of rotting in dumps, organic waste from this market will now be converted into clean, sustainable biogas for cooking and electricity.
“At the same time, it will produce nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that can be used on our farms. This is the circular economy in action—closing the loop, reducing emissions, creating value and improving livelihoods,” Wahab said.
He said the project reflects a much bigger ambition for Lagos State.
“The initiative is being implemented in partnership with C40 Cities and UK International Development under the Climate Action Implementation programme.
“Through this collaboration, Lagos continues to show leadership by translating international climate commitments into practical, community-level action.
“Today’s launch affirms a simple but powerful truth: the future of sustainable cities will be built not only in boardrooms and policy documents, but right here in our markets, our communities and our daily activities,” he said.
On his part, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Agency, said the project launch was a testament of the state’s drive to tackle waste.
“Lagos State Government takes very seriously the issue of environment, the issue of waste management, and in particular, the issue of circular economy, which you can only achieve by converting our waste to wealth.
“It’s beginning of many more projects, because we in Lagos State have recognised that waste is a resource.
“By managing our waste in this manner, we are strengthening public health and sanitation in our markets, and we are advancing our shift to climate smart and accountable Waste Management System.
“This project takes organic market waste that would otherwise end up in the drains or illegal dumps or on culverts.
“We want this place to work so that we can get more C40 cities to see what we’re doing and maybe the next market may be the Mile 12 market,” Gbadegesin said.
Also, Mr. Gaji Tajudeen, the Permanent Secretary MOE & WR, lauded the partners and all the stakeholders that made the launch a reality.
“I welcome you all to the launch of the Ikosi Fruit Market Biogas Plant. This achievement represents a major step forward in our collective pursuit of environmental sustainability, renewable energy and the conversion of waste into wealth.
“Today is a powerful testament to your commitment to innovation, sustainable development and the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the environmental challenges facing our state.
“This project represents the power of innovation, collaboration and technology. For a long time, we have grappled with the challenge of waste management.
“The Ikosi Fruit Market Biogas Plant provides an ingenious solution, transforming what we once considered ‘waste’ into valuable resources.
“It will convert organic waste into clean cooking gas and electricity for our homes, and organic fertiliser for our farms.
“We owe our sincere appreciation to C40 Cities and UK International Development under the Climate Action Implementation programme for their continued support,” Tajudeen said.
The C40 Cities Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Anthony Okoth, said: “The C40 is a global entity that actually focuses on bringing together 100 mega cities across the globe.
“It basically controls a population of about 925 million people in terms of cities, and basically takes care of about 20% of the global economy.
“And basically our main mandate is actually to look to ensure that as we engage the cities, we actually are able to drive the Paris Declaration of ensuring that we don’t go beyond the 1.5 degrees centigrade in terms of heat increase.
“As we stand here today, I’m very proud, because it’s truly simple by saying that we can actually turn waste into wealth.
“And for us, that’s our mantra, working with African grown solutions to actually transform and address the African agenda.
“It is not us who have done it alone, but under the leadership of the state government.
“And so we truly appreciate the leadership and the direction that we have gotten and received for us, this project actually is a symbol of local, grown solutions, where we are actually excited,” Okoth said.
Also, Mrs. Temitope Okunnu, the Chief Executive Officer of FABE Foundation and implementer of the project, said the launch “is a reality come true.”
“We have had different engagements in this market since a year plus, it has been an amazing. It has been a beautiful work done here.
“Imagine food waste from the regular Ikosi Market that you and I come on a regular basis, now converting their own food waste that was meant to be at the dump site into electricity, gas, cooking gas.
“And the most important of all, is that we can secure our food in Lagos with the digester, which we call the Eco-fertiliser.
“So, let us appreciate the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Environment for championing this beautiful cause and C40 Cities for supporting this project in Lagos, Nigeria.
“The replication has started already across the other 35 markets, we are ensuring that we would start something and make it work,” Okunnu said.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems as partners of the project will be distributing the biodigester to the farmers.
People want different things out of their cities… The last thing you want are people who are uncaring and disinterested in their cities. That is when you get true neighbourhood decline” (W. Paul Farmer, APA, CEO)
For those who grew up in Lagos between the fifties and the seventies, a vivid recollection of Lagos Island then brings back nostalgic feelings and the pride of a well-governed municipality where basic urban services were held in high esteem and provided regularly.
A Lagos Island street
Urban security, provision of potable water, and zero tolerance for a filthy environment were the hallmarks of the municipal government. Erected water taps, locally called “idi odo”, were common urban features of public water supply for residents whose buildings were not connected to the water mains from the Lagos municipal government of yore, Lagos Town Council.
Environmental pollution was a rarity. Most of the frontage of the residential houses along the popular streets was landscaped with beautiful flowers. Greenery was encouraged and voluntarily imbibed by the city residents. Property owners did routine maintenance on their properties, and door-to-door waste collection was a regular basic service.
The fear of city crime was remote because the city government prioritized security, while neighbours were their brother’s keepers. Generally, city living was peaceful and less stressful.
The current situation reports on a set of popular streets in Lagos
Fast-forward to the current city situation in comparison to the past situation described above, and let us do a comparative analysis of the following popular roads in Lagos, identified for this discussion, namely:
Lewis Street
Compared to the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the present Lewis Street has been turned into a linear market where traders display their goods on both sides of the road with impunity. The road width has been drastically reduced, thereby obstructing the smooth flow of traffic. Traders of all hues compete with motorists, while mobile water vendors, wheelbarrows in tow, dangerously meander among teeming pedestrians and motorists at great risk. The street is jocularly referred to as “Sandgrouse Market Phase II,” in reference to the nearby government-approved local market.
At the northern end of the street, close to Obalende, is a rowdy motor park for the ubiquitousDanfo bus operators. They contribute significantly to the ongoing degradation of the public open space that has been improvised as a roadside motor park. The waste generated daily by the Danfo operators poses a challenge for LAWMA to manage.
As constituted, Lewis Street has completely lost its past allure and serenity as a convenient motorway due to official neglect and citizens’ crass indiscipline.
Igbosere Street
This street runs parallel to the famous City Hall, a landmark building on Lagos Island. It is currently being used as an alternative road market. The generous open space along the road, preserved for landscaping, is an eyesore! The ungoverned open space is illegally occupied by keke maruwa mechanics, furniture sellers, livestock sellers, building material vendors, and sundry economic activities near the Lagos State court houses, where noise pollution is strictly prohibited.
Two motor parks are located on this road. One is at the side of the City Hall, and the other is at the junction of Igbosere/Moloney Streets. Both motor parks are spontaneous developments without official authorisation. Both incompatible land uses are unsightly and environmentally disruptive.
Moloney Street and Environs
Moloney Street is a significant feeder road on Lagos Island. The road is linked to other secondary roads, namely: King George V Street, Campbell Street, Igbosere Street, Hawley Street, Beckley Street, and nearby short alleys. It is a popular street leading to many historic government buildings, institutions, social clubs, playgrounds, schools, courts, and museums.
The street is within walking distance of the Tafawa Balewa Square( a national parade ground), the old Parliament building, the 25-storey Independence iconic building, and the former headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, former Nigeria Army Headquarters, Supreme Court, Lagos State Court houses, former Nigeria Police Headquarters, Lagos Island Club, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, The City Mall, Muson Centre, Kings College, National Museum, the JK Randle Centre and Obalende Transport Hub.
Also on this street is a masterpiece residential house built by the first indigenous Federal Minister of Finance, the late Chief Festus Oko-tie Ebo, who was assassinated during Nigeria’s first military coup on January 15, 1966.
The state of Moloney Street currently is better described as tohu bohu(a state of extreme confusion and disorder-a bedlam). The road is usually inundated by an army of fruit vendors, roadside local eateries popularly known as buka, fresh fish sellers, redneck street urchins, and agberos (motor boys) who constitute a security risk to both pedestrians and motorists who use Moloney Street daily.
The environment around the FMWH within the same area under review cannot be overlooked. The area is disorganized and untidy, as a result of illegal occupants who engage in various trading and rogue activities, deleterious to the environment.
The least expected invasion is the open space directly in front of the Kam Salem Building, the former Nigeria Police Headquarters, where trading activities are active despite the security implications! Two motor parks are located on Moloney Street, with no plausible justification or official approval. They are mainly responsible for the constant public chaos and insecurity on this particular road.
Beckley and King George V Streets
The two streets are “sore thumps” in the vicinity of Moloney Street. Both are congested with itinerant traders who intentionally occupy the street space despite the inconvenience to road users. On Beckley Street are various wooden cubicles attached to the perimeter fence of the Kam Salem police building, mostly used as barbing salons, while small make-shift containers are also used as mobile shops. Itinerant fruit vendors find succor on this street to sell their edible products.
On King George V Street, the scenario is worse. Visible are strings of wooden and mini steel containers attached to the perimeter fence of the YWCA building, where trading goes on unregulated. The open space was deliberately occupied without government approval. A shop owner on that street permanently parked a truck that occupies half of the road without consideration for other road users. Why such inappropriate behavior missed the prying eyes of KAI officials beggars’ belief.
While I was about to conclude this piece, a video clip was sent to me through social media titled “Why Are Africa’s Cities the UGLIEST in the World?” Lagos was featured negatively. The reasons the narrator gave for weak urban management in African cities are tenable, cogent, and instructive. They apply to the Lagos situation. Interested readers can search for the video clip with the same title on YouTube.
A need for action
If Lagos is truly the Centre of Excellence, the State government must walk the talk and be committed to implementing strategies that promote/enhance city aesthetics. But the caveat is: as noted by Larry Bossidy (co-author of Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done), strategies are intellectually simple, but the implementation is not. Any good thoughts or ideas without action are meaningless.
Therefore, the Lagos State Government must demonstrate the political will to improve the quality of life in the megacity. The government must have zero tolerance for indiscipline, corruption, lethargy, and venality.
The duo of Engr. Tokunbo Wahab, the incumbent Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, and Dr. Olayinka Olumide, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, have a yeoman’s job to do in restoring sanity to Lagos streets and preventing further flagrant misuse.
The first step is to beam a searchlight on all the Lagos Island streets mentioned in this piece. Ban all motor parks and roadside markets with immediate effect, and restore order to the vicinity. They should facilitate and relentlessly promote friendly streets with clean, walkable, and eco-friendly facilities. LASPARK should plant trees in ungoverned public open spaces to prevent misuse and sudden takeover by itinerant traders.
Motor parks are permitted only in designated areas, not haphazardly on the streets as is currently being done.
KAI must intensify monitoring along the streets and prohibit any obstructive developments against traffic flow. Let KAI be upgraded toKHAI (Kick Harder Against Indiscipline) as a new public enlightenment mantra for citizens’ self-control, environmental cleanliness, and city aesthetics. Enforcement of environmental regulations should not be an option. It should be non-negotiable, as exemplified in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa’s cleanest city, or in Singapore, a biophilic city (a city in the garden).
Finally, on a cautionary note: If a city law is not obeyed, it gives room for anarchy. And a city that will not say “NO” to anything will get the worst of everything.
By Tpl. Yacoob Abiodun, Planning Advocate, Chicago, IL, USA
Climate experts led by Centre for Climate Action, Innovation and Engagement, has launched the Climate Action Index (CAI), a public dashboard designed to assess climate risk exposure and readiness across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mr. A’aron John, Founder and Programme Director of the Centre, disclosed this in a statement made available on Monday, February 9, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
John, a Climate Policy Researcher, said that the index provides data-driven insights to support effective subnational climate action and accountability.
A’aron John, Founder and Programme Director, Centre for Climate Action, Innovation and Engagement
He explained that the CAI was developed in collaboration with climate and accountability experts, including Dr Abel Owotemu, Founder of the Greenage Development Fund, and Mr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity.
According to him, the index is built on an initial research paper, a nationwide baseline assessment and a stakeholder validation workshop that engaged more than 80 participants drawn from government, civil society and the private sector.
John said that the CAI focuses on governance and execution risks, such as policy alignment, implementation signals and transparency, rather than on climate hazards alone.
“The first baseline assessment reveals wide variations in climate readiness at the subnational level and identifies transparency gaps as a major constraint to effective climate action and access to climate finance,” he said.
He added that, by making the data publicly accessible, the index would support federal coordination and help track state-level contributions to Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments.
The convener expressed confidence that the CAI would serve as a practical tool for policymakers, development partners and citizens to monitor progress and strengthen climate governance across the country.
He said that the dashboard could be accessed through www.climateactionindex.org
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the Federal Government on the commissioning of Nigeria’s first dedicated Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) treatment facility in Abuja.
The facility, established under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was inaugurated on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in Abuja.
CAPPA, in a statement, noted that the facility represents a critical infrastructure milestone in Nigeria’s national chemicals and waste management framework.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment (left) with Mrs Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at the opening of the PCBs Treatment Facility, situated in Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja
Polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) characterised by high toxicity, environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and long-range environmental transport. PCBs are scientifically linked to carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, neurodevelopmental impairment, and reproductive disorders, in addition to causing significant adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Their improper handling, storage, or disposal results in widespread contamination of soil, surface and groundwater, and the food chain, posing serious risks to public health and ecological integrity.
The statement observed that Nigeria, being a Party to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, is legally obligated to eliminate the use of PCBs in equipment, ensure the identification and labelling of PCB-containing materials, and guarantee their environmentally sound management (ESM) and final disposal.
“The commissioning of this treatment facility, therefore, constitutes a practical demonstration of Nigeria’s compliance with both its international treaty obligations and its domestic regulatory framework under the PCBs Control and Disposal Regulations, 2020,” it added.
Commenting on the development, the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Akinbode Oluwafemi, stated that the establishment of the PCB treatment facility “validates the spirit of the National Environmental (PCBs Control and Disposal) Regulations, 2020, and signals the Federal Government’s readiness to operationalise environmentally sound management systems for hazardous chemical wastes in Nigeria.”
He emphasised that the facility will not only strengthen national capacity for the treatment, decontamination, and final disposal of PCB-containing equipment and wastes, but will also greatly assist in reducing occupational exposure, preventing environmental releases, and mitigating long-term public health risks.
However, the CAPPA head stressed the need for the Federal Government to ensure full, systemic compliance with all provisions of the Regulations, including stringent controls on the manufacture, importation, distribution, use, storage, transportation, discharge, and disposal of PCBs and PCB-containing products. He further called for robust inventory development, monitoring, reporting, enforcement mechanisms, and sanctions to guarantee effective implementation.
Oluwafemi also urged the Federal Government to prioritise the scaling up, sustained investment, technical upgrades, and long-term operational sustainability, noting that adequate funding and skilled personnel are critical to meeting national PCB phase-out targets, and realising the environmental and socio-economic benefits associated with the facility.
Finally, CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing environmental governance, chemical safety, and public participation, and to engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure Nigeria’s transition towards the complete elimination of PCBs in an environmentally sound and socially responsible manner.
President, Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), Mr. Anthony Akpan, has been invited to serve as an expert member of the Marine Genetic Resources (MGR) Scientific Advisory Committee.
The Committee is established under the Future Ocean Programme – Pillar 3 titled Ocean Observation Technologies of the Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute of the World Maritime University (WMU).
Mr. Akpan is the only African serving on the committee.
Mr. Anthony Akpan, President of PAVE
The Advisory Committee aims to:
Facilitate scholarly collaboration among leading experts working on MGRs.
Provide guidance on the ongoing work of the Working Group on Data for Ocean Biodiversity
Address the challenges that may arise between the global efforts for ocean data and the Clearing House Mechanism of the BBNJ Agreement.
The Future Ocean Programme is concerned with the future of ocean governance over a 50-year span (2024 – 2074). This future will be determined by how the world tackles the triple planetary crisis of catastrophic loss of biodiversity, human induced climate change, and pollution of the marine environment including plastic pollution.
The programme will deliver both scholarly outcomes and policy-relevant and accessible research outputs, making positive impacts on regional and international processes relating to the protection and sustainable use of areas beyond national jurisdiction, while building regional and national capacity.
In the early 1990s, millions of hardworking Nigerians struggled to find potable water while out on the street on their daily hustle. To solve this problem, some entrepreneurs started to hawk chilled water in thin transparent white nylon bags known as “ice pure water” and sold them commercially. No one cared if the water was really “pure”, we just called them “pure water” in nylons. Yodi was what we popularly called them in Lagos, I grew up drinking some of them.
Then in 1994, Sir Isaac Adeagbo Akinpade, regarded as Pioneer entrepreneur, introduced this better packaged water in low-density polyethylene nlyons. “DIL Pure Water” initiated by Deagbo Industries Limited in Ibadan, Oyo State, soon made its way to Sagamu and then Lagos, where it was quickly adopted and replaced the earlier pure water in yodi nylons.
Adejoke Lasisi
Owing to its affordability, in time, the industry grew exponentially. The annual turnover of the industry has been estimated in excess of N20 billion. In 2017, NAFDAC reported that Nigerians consumed 10 million sachets of pure water daily. 10 million used sachet! Needless to say, with this growth came the problem of waste.
For decades, the pure water sachet was both a needed solution to an everyday problem, and also a systemic menace to environmental sanity. 32 years after it still is a problem – and a solution. Cheap, accessible, and widely consumed, it remains the primary source of drinking water for millions of Nigerians. But once the water is gone, the sachet becomes invisible, discarded, ignored, and absorbed into the landscape of drains, dump sites, and waterways – many channelled by flood into the oceans.
This is where Adejoke Lasisi begins her work. She has chosen to confront one of Nigeria’s most persistent waste streams head-on. Rather than treating discarded sachets as an environmental afterthought, she treats them as raw material, objects with untapped value, waiting to be reimagined.
An upcycler, Lasisi is an Ibadan-based Nigerian fashion designer and environmentalist.
During a recent documentary photoshoot by Adebote Mayowa documenting Adejoke’s work, they moved deliberately between two worlds: the dump site, where sachet waste accumulates in staggering volumes, and the finished garment, elegant, intentional, and undeniably beautiful.
At the dump site, these sachets exist as symbols of neglect: low-density polyethylene nylons that will take 10 to 40 years to degrade, clogging drainage systems, worsening floods, and fragmenting into microplastics that threaten ecosystems and human health. It is from places like these that Adejoke sources some of her materials, recovering what society has already discarded.
Using over 4,000 discarded pure water sachets, Adejoke transformed waste that once polluted the environment into a striking dress, one that challenges how we define fashion, value, and sustainability. The contrast between origin and outcome is intentional.
As Nigeria advances conversations around the circular economy, Adejoke’s work offers a grounded, human-scale example of what circularity looks like in practice. At its core, circular economy is about eliminating waste by keeping materials in use for as long as possible, and this is exactly what her work achieves.
While many recycling efforts focus on high-value plastics or export-driven recovery systems, sachet nylons often remain overlooked. Adejoke’s intervention fills this gap, demonstrating that even the most undervalued materials can be reintegrated into the value chain through creativity, design, and intention.
Her work also intersects with another global challenge: the environmental cost of fast fashion, which contributes nearly 10 percent of global carbon emissions. Through her fashion practice and the Planet 3R initiative, Adejoke offers an alternative model, one rooted in reuse and environmentally responsible processes. Her work is not only creating fashion, she is advancing Nigeria’s circular economy, one discarded sachet at a time.
Bearing Witness Through Documentary Practice
As a documentary photographer, my role in this process is simple but important, to bear witness. To document the journey of materials from dump site to design, and to visually trace how innovation, creativity, and environmental responsibility intersect in real lives and real places.
Photography allows these stories to travel, to exhibitions, public conversations, and global platforms, expanding the reach of circular economy beyond technical language into something people can see, feel, and understand.
TotalEnergies has signed two new long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) to deliver 1 GW of solar capacity – equivalent to 28 TWh of renewable electricity over 15 years – to supply Google’s data centres in Texas.
The power will be generated from TotalEnergies-owned sites currently under development in eTexas: Wichita (805 MWp) and Mustang Creek (195 MWp), with construction scheduled to begin in Q2 2026.
A TotalEnergies-owned solar power generation site
Bringing reliable new power capacity for AI – now
These PPAs totaling 1 GW complement separate gross PPAs of 1.2 GW recently secured by Clearway, a California-based renewables company 50% owned by TotalEnergies, to support Google’s data centres across the ERCOT (Texas), PJM (Northeast), and SPP (Central) markets.
The Wichita and Mustang Creek solar farms will generate significant benefits for local communities. Several hundred jobs will be created during construction, and substantial tax revenues will help fund public services throughout the lifetime of the projects.
“We are pleased to sign these agreements to supply renewable electricity to Google in Texas, representing the largest renewable PPA volume ever signed by TotalEnergies in the United States”, said Marc-Antoine Pignon, Vice President Renewables U.S. for TotalEnergies.
“This highlights TotalEnergies’ strategy to deliver tailored renewable energy solutions that support the decarbonization goals of digital players, particularly data centres. Through this PPA, TotalEnergies is also addressing the challenges of land availability and power supply for data centers by enabling large-scale colocation opportunities,” he added.
“Supporting a strong, stable, affordable grid is a top priority as we expand our infrastructure,” said Will Conkling, Director of Clean Energy and Power at Google. “Our agreement with TotalEnergies adds necessary new generation to the local system, boosting the amount of affordable and reliable power supply available to serve the entire region.”
TotalEnergies has a gross capacity portfolio of 10 GW of onshore solar, wind and battery storage assets in operation in the United States, including 400 MW in the PJM market in the Northeast of the country, and 5 GW in the ERCOT market in Texas.
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), an environmental rights and human rights advocacy organisation in Nigeria, has expressed concern over the persistent and tragic loss of lives resulting from recurring road traffic accidents along the Waterside-Ogbor Hill axis of Aba, Abia State.
According to FENRAD, the corridor remains one of the most accident-prone areas in the state, with frequent incidents involving heavy vehicular congestion, uncontrolled traffic movement, pedestrian exposure, and poor road safety infrastructure.
“These recurring accidents have led to avoidable deaths, serious injuries, and destruction of livelihoods, raising serious human rights and public safety concerns,” said Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD in a statement.
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State
FENRAD observes that the Waterside–Ogbor Hill axis serves as a major commercial and transportation hub, experiencing intense vehicular and pedestrian traffic daily. The absence of modern traffic engineering solutions – such as flyovers, overhead pedestrian bridges, and effective traffic flow systems – has significantly worsened congestion and increased the risk of fatal accidents.
In view of this, FENRAD calls on the Abia State Government, under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, to urgently prioritise the provision of critical infrastructure, including the construction of flyovers and pedestrian (overhead) bridges, as well as comprehensive road redesigns to effectively separate vehicular and human traffic.
These interventions are necessary to improve vehicle traffic movement, reduce congestion, and eliminate dangerous conflict points along the corridor.
The organisation further urges the government to commission an independent traffic, environmental, and social impact assessment to guide sustainable solutions. Complementary measures should include modern traffic control systems, proper signage, speed-calming mechanisms, strict enforcement of road safety regulations, and public sensitisation.
FENRAD emphasises that infrastructure development must be proactive, inclusive, and people centered. The right to life, safety, and a secure environment is fundamental, and no community should continue to endure preventable deaths due to inadequate planning or delayed government response.
“Road safety is a human rights issue. When citizens repeatedly lose their lives due to poor traffic management and unsafe infrastructure, urgent corrective action becomes a moral and constitutional obligation,” added Nwafor.
The organisation calls on relevant ministries, road safety agencies, urban planners, and traffic management authorities to collaborate transparently and act without delay.
FENRAD also encourages civil society organisations, community leaders, and the media to sustain advocacy efforts toward lasting and life-saving solutions.
The group says it remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental justice, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights and will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure that residents of Aba and Abia State enjoy safe, efficient, and humane transportation infrastructure.
A maritime and logistics firm, STARZS Investment Company Ltd., has disclosed plans to expand its fleet and operations across Africa, with renewed investment momentum in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and rising offshore opportunities.
Iroghama Ogbeifun, Chief Executive Officer of the company, spoke on the sidelines of the just concluded ninth Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja
Ogbeifun, also a founding member, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Governing Board and Chairperson, Technical Committee, Shipowners Association of Nigeria, said that plans were also on to deepen engagements with indigenous producers.
From left: Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas); Iroghama Ogbeifun, Managing Director/CEO, Starzs Investments Company Limited; Richard Ifie, Business Development Manager, Starzs Investments Company Limited; Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources; Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, at the just concluded 2026 NIES, in Abuja
She said that among the indigenous producers to be engaged are Seplat, First E&P, among others.
STARZS Investment Company Ltd. is among the 30 privately licensed maritime security firms with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy.
It currently operates a fleet of 11 vessels, including Anchor-handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels and security patrol boats.
“We are investing in fleet renewal in response to ageing assets and growing offshore demand, and we have plans of acquiring a new DP2 AHTS tugboat, with a shipbuilding contract expected to be signed this year.
“STARZS provides armed personnel on patrol boats for major International Oil Companies (IOCs) like TotalEnergies, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Renaissance.
“STARZS is not stopping at Nigeria’s borders. It is also exploring African ports for tug services beyond Nigeria,”Ogbeifun said.
She emphasised a “Pan-African” strategy, targeting oil exploration hotspots like Namibia, Mozambique, Guinea, and Congo, where offshore support vessels are also in demand.
According to her, oil vessels are required anywhere oil exploration is taking place offshore.
She said their expansion plan was fueled by strategic partnerships, including one with Kotug, a global tug giant based in Dubai and Rotterdam.
“We had access to their large fleets through outright purchase or bareboat charters.”
She attributed the move to positive signals from IOCs, the TotalEnergies recent announcement of Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) via Kotug, and Shell willingness to invest 20 billion dollars in Nigeria over the next few years.
“These developments signal strong oil and gas projects, creating opportunities from the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) phase onward,” she said.
Speaking on the long-awaited Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), the CEO welcomed the recent inauguration of the application portal, describing it as a major milestone for indigenous shipping development.
The CVFF was established under the 2003 Cabotage Act to promote Nigerian-built, manned, owned, and flagged vessels through a two per cent surcharge on cabotage activities.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government inaugurated the CVFF application portal two weeks ago after years of delays.
According to her, the fund’s single-digit interest rate and eight-year tenure would significantly support fleet expansion once disbursements commence.
She equally highlighted persistent challenges in maritime training, particularly the difficulty cadets face in obtaining mandatory sea-time required for certification.
Ogbeifun, however, called for mandatory cadet training quotas onboard vessels and stronger collaboration between regulators and operators to address the gap.
