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Building climate expertise: Fellowship programme empowers professionals from SIDS, LDCs

Michael Simire
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Building climate expertise: Fellowship programme empowers professionals from SIDS, LDCs

UN Climate Change’s Fellowship Programme equips mid-career professionals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with hands-on experience and specialised training. Thanks to new funding from Portugal and Italy, more professionals can now contribute to global climate action while enhancing their expertise.

Fellowship Programme
Fellows at a UN Climate Change’s Fellowship Programme

Portugal’s funding specifically supports professionals from Portuguese-speaking SIDS and LDCs to work in the secretariat’s Transparency Division, while Italy’s contribution funds fellowship opportunities in the Means of Implementation and Adaptation divisions.

Officially known as the Capacity Award Programme to Advance Capabilities and Institutional Training in One Year (CAPACITY), the fellowship enables mid-career professionals already working in government roles within SIDS or LDCs to gain first-hand experience at UN Climate Change in Bonn, Germany, for up to two years.

Candidates are selected with the understanding that their development and training will strengthen their home organisations’ capacity to address climate challenges.

“The CAPACITY Fellowship Programme is an opportunity to bridge the gap between global policy and local realities. One that empowers mid-career professionals to navigate complex political landscapes and bring their unique voices to global climate action,” said Alejandro Kilpatrick, Means of Implementation Manager at UN Climate Change. “The programme not only develops the expertise and knowledge of professionals from LDCs and SIDS, but their distinct perspectives also make a meaningful contribution to our work.”

The initiative serves three core purposes: support innovative and analytical work on climate change within the framework of sustainable development, build a global network of creative experts tackling climate issues, and nurture the leadership potential of promising professionals in their respective fields.

Former fellows highlight the programme’s transformative impact. Marie Stephania Perrine, who worked in the Means of Implementation Division from 2023 to 2025, describes the fellowship as “a significant milestone in my career, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to global climate action while honing my skills.”

Milan Dhungana, a fellow in the Transparency Division from 2023 to 2025, noted: “The fellowship was an enriching experience that provided invaluable learning opportunities. The skills and insights gained during this fellowship will be instrumental in advancing climate transparency actions in my home country.”

Fellow participants gain practical experience, including supporting the work of constituted bodies, engaging in intergovernmental processes, drafting reports, organizing meetings and events, and representing UN Climate Change at high-level engagements.

Having served in the Means of Implementation Division from 2023 to 2025, Yiaser Arafat Rubel has the following advice for future fellows: “Share your knowledge and experience with your fellow cohort. This significantly enhances collective knowledge, offers diverse perspectives, and fosters a deeper understanding of the work being undertaken.”

NIES 2025: We have linked global investors with Africa’s energy potential – Govt

Michael Simire
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NIES 2025: We have linked global investors with Africa’s energy potential – Govt

The Federal Government says the bridge connecting continents, linking global investors with Africa’s boundless energy potential has been strengthened by the 2025 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES).

Nicholas Ella
Amb. Nicholas Ella, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources

Amb. Nicholas Ella, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said this on Thursday, February 27, in Abuja at the closing of the 8th edition of NIES, which opened on Monday, February 24.

According to him, partnerships forged, and investments committed during the is estimated at more than $2.5 billion.

This Ella said was a testament to the boundless opportunities that abound in the industry.

Ella said the dedication to advancing technology, innovation, and sustainable practices had made the summit a hub of opportunities and growth.

“Over the past few days, we have witnessed a convergence of brilliant minds, groundbreaking ideas, and transformative discussions that have elevated this summit beyond expectations.

“We have strengthened the bridge connecting continents, linking global investors with Africa’s boundless energy potential.

“This summit has been a remarkable testament to the power of collaboration, dialogue, and shared vision,” he said.

The permanent secretary said the deliberations had reflected on the challenges and laid actionable pathways for Africa’s energy transformation, investment acceleration, and technology-driven growth.

He said the Federal Government’s dedication to positioning Nigeria as a leading energy hub had been a critical enabler for events like NIES and the broader growth of Africa’s energy landscape.

Ella, while appreciating President Bola Tinubu, thanked the Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil & Gas) – Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and Ekperikpe Ekpo, for their strategic foresight and tireless efforts in ensuring the success of the summit.

“Your leadership has been instrumental in shaping the dialogues that have transpired here and in championing Nigeria’s pivotal role in the global energy transition.

“The thought-provoking insights and expertise of participants have illuminated the pathways to sustainable energy development, highlighted emerging oil, gas, renewables, and hydrogen opportunities and investments.

“The discussions on energy transition, decarbonisation, upstream investments, refining capacity, and hydrogen development will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the future of Africa’s energy sector.

“Our international and local partners, sponsors, and exhibitors receive special gratitude.

“Your confidence in Nigeria’s energy potential and Africa’s future is truly inspiring,” he said.

The theme of the summit was “Bridging Continents: Connecting Investors Worldwide with Africa’s Energy Potential”.

With more than 5,000 delegates from 45 countries and an impressive 4,182 square meters of cutting-edge exhibitions, NIES 2025 has no doubt reaffirmed its position as Africa’s foremost energy platform.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Analysts advise on advancing green energy in global South

Michael Simire
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Analysts advise on advancing green energy in global South

Analysts have reiterated the need to advance the economic, democratic, and green energy sectors of the Global South by adopting elements of the Chinese model.

China
Analysts at the 2025 global virtual session in Beijing, China. Photo credit: NAN

The experts gave this viewpoint on Friday, February 28, during the 2025 global virtual sessions, which analysed China’s role in the Global South, its economic power, green energy initiatives, and governance models.

The event, organised by the Centre of Geo-economics for the Global South (COGGS), aimed to promote China’s shift from high-speed growth to high-quality development and foster deeper cooperation among Global South nations.

Mohammed Saqib, the convener of COGGS, highlighted China’s focus on technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing, sustainability, financial reforms, increased social-security spending, and rising domestic consumption as key elements of modernisation.

Saqib also contrasted China’s “whole-process people’s democracy” with Western democratic systems, noting that Western systems were often influenced by capitalism, while China’s model prioritised long-term planning and collective decision-making.

He argued that the West used the “China risk” narrative to deflect attention from governance failures at home.

Saqib pointed out that China was leading in tackling climate change, contrasting its efforts with Western double standards by citing the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its promotion of fossil fuel expansion.

He commended China for making decisive moves toward a green energy transition.

French entrepreneur and Sinologist, Arnaud Bertrand, spoke about the U.S.’s export controls on semiconductors and 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, calling it a concern over China’s technological rise.

He noted China’s shift from manufacturing foreign brands to developing its own, with notable successes in electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, which had unsettled Western competitors.

Bertrand also highlighted China’s focus on meritocratic governance, where leaders rise through years of experience, and criticised trade barriers against Chinese green technology, viewing them as fears of losing competitiveness.

Prof. Jose Ricardo from the University of São Paulo emphasised the need to deepen China-Latin America ties to achieve set targets.

He mentioned that China-Brazil trade reached $157.9 billion in 2024, positioning China as the primary trade partner for several Latin American nations.

Ricardo also lauded China’s growing role in global governance through BRICS, which had helped reshape the international economic order to benefit the Global South.

Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party of Zambia, commended China’s contribution to Africa’s growth and called for increased investment in Africa’s green energy sector to promote infrastructural development.

He noted that while the West pressures African nations to cut carbon emissions, China was providing necessary green-energy solutions and infrastructure.

In his keynote address, Nepalese Prime Minister, Sharma Oli, reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

He lauded China’s leadership in fostering connectivity, global equity, and tackling climate change.

Oli described China as a beacon of hope for nations facing environmental challenges.

By Fortune Abang

NOAA lays off hundreds of climate scientists in the US

Michael Simire
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NOAA lays off hundreds of climate scientists in the US

The Trump administration has begun firing employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), one of the world’s premier centers for climate science.

NOAA
NOAA

The firings are expected to cost more than 800 people their jobs, out of a total of about 13,000 staff members, according to two people familiar with the situation who declined to be identified for fear of retribution. The notifications went out on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

A policy analyst at the National Ocean Service, a NOAA agency office near Washington, described a scramble as supervisors frantically tried to help probationary employees download relevant documents like pay slips and performance reviews before they lost access to computers.

“This loss of talent at NOAA is going to set the agency back years and compromise the integrity of missions that directly support human health and safety, economic prosperity and national security,” the analyst said, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. “This is not a move toward efficiency; it’s a move toward putting Americans in danger every day.”

The firings are focused on probationary employees, who have been in their jobs for a short period and lack the protections afforded to staff members with longer tenure. As is the case at other agencies, the Trump administration appears to be firing probationary employees at NOAA not because their work is necessarily less valuable than that of other staff members, but because they’re easier to dismiss.

NOAA is part of the Commerce Department. Cuts had been delayed at NOAA and other parts of the department until the new secretary, Howard Lutnick, could come into office. But since Mr. Lutnick was sworn in on Monday, more layoffs have started to be announced throughout the department, including at the International Trade Administration, which promotes U.S. exports.

Several employees were also fired at the Bureau of Industry and Security, which oversees U.S. export controls, according to current and former Commerce employees and others familiar with the cuts.

Emma Esquivel, executive assistant to Alaska’s National Weather Service director, got her termination email on Thursday afternoon. She received the message at 11:39 a.m. Alaska time and was given an hour and 21 minutes before losing access to her computer. The email stated that she was “not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and/or skills do not fit the agency’s current needs.”

“I’m way overqualified but I wanted to get my foot in the door at NOAA,” said Ms. Esquivel, who has a master’s degree in systems engineering. She took the position in November over a better-paying position in the private sector because she wanted the security of a government job.

The firings on Thursday are expected to be just the first wave of departures. Several hundred more staff members are expected to leave on Friday as part of the so-called deferred resignation program, according to a person familiar with the matter. On top of that, the Trump administration is expected to cancel contracts of workers affiliated with NOAA, which could cost the agency as many as 2,500 personnel.

One man who declined to be identified because he hopes to contest his termination said he and others who had been fired from the National Weather Service and had been considered probationary workers had in fact worked at various NOAA offices for several years. He also said he had recently gotten stellar ratings in a performance review.

Those who remain will see their jobs get more difficult. The General Services Administration, which manages government facilities, has begun canceling some of the contracts for buildings that NOAA uses, according to a person familiar with the matter. The agency has frozen credit cards used to pay for travel and sharply restricted the amount of money employees are able to put on those cards for other purchases.

Commerce Department employees also received guidance on Thursday that all “non-mission-critical” travel was canceled immediately.

A spokesman for NOAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The General Services Administration also did not respond to a request for comment.

“Gutting NOAA will hamstring essential lifesaving programmes that forecast storms, ensure ocean safety and prevent the extinction of whales and sea otters,” said Miyoko Sakashita, the director of oceans projects at the Centre for Biological Diversity. “I think most Americans want these kinds of vital government services protected, and we’ll do everything we can to defend them.”

NOAA has been singled out for especially deep cuts by members of the Trump administration. Project 2025, the policy blueprint published by the Heritage Foundation that is reflected in many of the actions taken by the Trump administration so far, calls the agency “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry.” The document urges that NOAA be dismantled and some of its programmes be terminated.

Project 2025 also suggested commercialising the National Weather Service, one of the agency’s most well-known arms, which provides weather forecasts and lifesaving warnings.

Among the authors of the policy blueprint are many people who now hold senior roles in the Trump administration.

“I believe so strongly in the National Weather Service’s mission,” Ms. Esquivel said after losing her job. “I’m worried that the mission is going to get reduced moving forward.”

Courtesy: The New York Times

Govts agree on way forward to mobilise resources needed to protect biodiversity for people, planet

Michael Simire
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Govts agree on way forward to mobilise resources needed to protect biodiversity for people, planet

Governments agreed early on Friday, February 28, 2025, in Rome on the strategy to raise the
funds needed to protect biodiversity and achieve the action targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), bringing the business of the UN Biodiversity
Conference, COP16, that was suspended in Cali, Colombia in 2024, to a successful close.

Astrid Schomaker
CBD Executive Secretary, Astrid Schomaker

Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity worked into the early morning hours to hammer out agreements on biodiversity finance, on planning, monitoring, reporting and review, and the full set of indicators to measure global and national progress towards implementing the KMGBF, agreed in Montreal at COP15 in 2022.

“These days of work in Rome have demonstrated the commitment of the Parties to advance the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The COP16 presidency recognises the collective effort to reach consensus of key issues that were left pending in Cali,” said Susana Muhamad, COP16 President. “We appreciate the willingness of all countries and the Secretariat of the Convention for their dedication to continue strengthening the global biodiversity agenda. Only by working together can we make Peace with Nature a reality.”

“The results of this meeting show that multilateralism works and is the vehicle to build the partnerships needed to protect biodiversity and move us towards Peace with Nature,” said Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. “We now have a clear mandate to implement Article 21 and 39. As we do this and implement the other supporting elements for resource mobilisation, the world will have given itself the means to close the biodiversity finance gap.”

After intense negotiations, Parties to the Convention agreed on a way forward in terms of resource mobilisation with a view to close the global biodiversity finance gap and achieve the
target of mobilising at least $200 billion a year by 2030, including $20 billion a year in
international flows by 2025, rising to $30 billion by 2030.

This includes the commitment to establish permanent arrangements for the financial mechanism in accordance with Articles 21 and 39 of the Convention while simultaneously working on improving existing financial instruments. It outlines the main principles and steps that will shape the evolution of these existing financial instruments, and any others that may be created. It also includes a roadmap of the activities and decision-making milestones from now, through the 17th, 18th and 19th meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, until 2030.

The COP also adopted a Strategy for Resource Mobilisation that identifies a broad range of
instruments, mechanisms and institutions that could be tapped to mobilise the funds needed for implementation of the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

This includes public finance from national and subnational governments, private and philanthropic resources, multilateral development banks, blended finance, and other novel approaches.

The decision is also aligned with COP guidance to the Global Environment Facility, the interim
financial mechanism of the Convention, whose family of funds, in the period of June 2022 to
December 2024, approved over $3 billion in support of the KMGBF, leveraging more than
22 billion in co-financing, including 1.9 billion from the private sector.

The Global Environment Facility also hosts the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), created in response to a request from COP15.

Mechanism for Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Review (PMRR): Responsibility and transparency in how the world measures progress for the KMGBF

Parties further enhanced the monitoring framework for the KMGBF, agreed upon at COP 15. The monitoring framework is essential to the implementation of the Framework because it provides the common yardsticks that Parties will use to measure progress against the KMBGF’s 23 targets and four goals. At COP16, Parties agreed on the way that the indicators would be measured and used.

This will ensure that all Parties are tracking progress in a way that can be interpreted by national policy makers, and it will provide data that can be aggregated up to the global level to provide a global picture of implementation for the KMGBF.

Parties also took important decisions on how progress in the implementation of the KMGBF will be reviewed at COP17 as part of the planned global stock take. They determined the way in
which commitments from actors other than national governments can be included in the PMRR Mechanism – including commitments from youth, women, indigenous peoples and local
communities, civil society, the private sector and sub-national governments. In addition, Parties agreed on how they will report on their national progress, including using indicators, in reaching the goals and targets of the KMGBF.

Together the decisions taken by the COP16 will enhance responsibility and transparency in the
implementation and monitoring of the KMGBF.

Cooperation, Multi-year Programme of work (MYPOW), Appointment of Executive Secretary

Parties finalised the business of COP16 with agreement on:

  1. the ways that the Convention cooperates and articulates with stakeholders, Multilateral
    Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other organisations;
  2. to discuss the MYPOW, at COP 17; and
  3. conditions relating to the appointment of the Executive Secretary

The COP-MOP to the Nagoya Protocol also took note of decision 16/2 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity on digital sequence information on genetic resources, by which the Conference of the Parties adopted the modalities for operationalising the multilateral mechanism for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including the Cali Fund.

Launch of the Cali Fund

The Cali Fund for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources (DSI) – the Cali Fund – which will receive contributions from private sector entities making commercial use of DSI, launched on February 26, 2025, in the
margins of the resumed session of COP16.

By leveraging funding from the private sector, the Fund ushers in a new era for biodiversity finance. Companies making commercial use of data from genetic resources in nature in a range of lucrative industries are now expected to contribute either a portion of their revenue or their profits to the Fund. Contributions to the Cali Fund will be allocated to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, including by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). At least 50 per cent of the Cali Fund resources will be allocated to indigenous peoples and local communities, recognising their role as custodians of biodiversity.

Why communication targeting polio vaccine acceptance among rural populations tend to fail

Michael Simire
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Why communication targeting polio vaccine acceptance among rural populations tend to fail

My engagements with rural communities in Nigeria have shown that the state and non-state actors have not effectively communicated the polio vaccine in a way that will make the rural population accept it. Communication failure is hinged on many factors that need to be addressed to record success. 

Polio immunisation
Polio immunisation in Nigeria. Photo credit: comminit.com

For example, my engagements with the locals in rural communities in north-central Nigeria reveal that many state and non-state actors especially non-governmental organisations (NGOs), do not design communication approaches that consider the people’s culture and beliefs that respect their cultural sensitivity. When communication approaches do not respect cultural sensitivity, it leads to mistrust among the people resulting in resistance.

Fundamentally, state and non-state actors do not prioritise participatory communication, which facilitates a process that will enable community members to be effectively involved in the decision-making process. This results in the community’s lack of ownership and accountability, which makes it difficult to accept and act on the information provided. The state and non-state actors often forget that communication is not only about information dissemination but dialogue and negotiation with the people at the centre of the entire process.

Communication consultants hired by the state and non-state actors to design communication targeting the locals for polio vaccine acceptance disregard the cardinal role of Indigenous communication approaches such as community gathering for information sharing, storytelling, and elder teaching when targeting rural populations. They often design communication approaches that adopt the use of English as the language of communication, radio, television, and social media as a medium of communication. When this happens, the state and non-state actors will end up creating awareness with the rural population who are the target beneficiaries not able to understand what the issues are resulting in a huge communication failure.

The state and non-state actors do not design polio vaccine communication to enable community health officials to play a critical role in working with the locals to address misinformation and rumors associated with vaccines.

However, when the misinformation, disinformation, and rumors are not addressed using local health officials, they will result in mistrust that will lead to polio vaccine resistance.

Also, a huge number of state and non-state actors do not carry out continuous monitoring and evaluation of their communication approaches to gauge their success or failure and identify areas for improvement.

By Audu Liberty Oseni, Director, MAWA – Foundation 

NCDMB, APPO to establish centres of excellence in African local content devpt

Michael Simire
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NCDMB, APPO to establish centres of excellence in African local content devpt

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) have recommitted their partnership towards establishing African centres of excellence in local content development. Both organisations also encouraged African petroleum producing countries to develop specialised capacities in core oil and gas services and patronise one another in their respective areas of expertise.

NCDMB
Secretary General of APPO, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, visited the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, in Abuja on Thursday

These discussions took place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, when the Secretary General of APPO, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, visited the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, at the agency’s liaison office in Abuja.

The APPO scribe reiterated the organisation’s proposal to partner NCDMB towards establishing centres of excellence in key aspects of the oil and gas industry. He remarked that NCDMB’s oil and gas parks would serve as centres of excellence, and accommodate original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and investors from other African oil producing countries.

Similar centres would be established in other African countries. Some firms had approached APPO to indicate interest to invest in Nigerian oil and gas sector, particularly in the oil and gas parks, he added.

He said it was imperative for African oil producing countries to collaborate closely, since none of them had sufficient technical and financial capacity to operate independently, whereas close collaboration will actualise the noble objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Referencing Nigeria’s decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, Ibrahim charged NCDMB to use its capacity building initiatives and facilities to train technicians and personnel who can work in key areas of the oil industry across Africa.

He also invited NCDMB to partner and participate in the 4th African Local Content Roundtable (ALCR), planned to hold in Congo, to be hosted by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo.

He emphasised the need for NCDMB to reach out more to African oil producers and, share its success stories with those countries that looked up to Nigeria for guidance in local content and oil and gas operations.

According to him APPO is determined to change the perception that African oil producing countries would continue to rely on foreign nations and external institutions to harness their petroleum resources. To achieve this, Africa oil producers must accelerate steps in innovating technology and providing the funding needed for the sector’s operations, with one of the steps being the establishment of the African Energy Bank.

He lauded NCDMB for achieving consistent Nigerian content development in the past 14 years, underpinned by a robust framework, backed with strong political will. Most African nations lack such structures, and subsumed their local content policies and agencies under their petroleum ministry or the national oil company, he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB reeled out the Board’s strategic support to other African petroleum nations, including the memorandum of agreement (MoU) on collaboration it signed with the Petroleum Commission Ghana, in 2024, and with the Senegalese’s National Local Content Monitoring Committee in 2023, as well as capacity building workshops it organised for other African oil producing countries.

The Board is equally projecting and showcasing the capacities of established Nigerian oil and gas service companies to other African nations, opening new vista of opportunities for them in those markets. He underlined the need for Nigerian service companies to partner local companies whenever they enter other African countries, and to obey local laws.

Ogbe expressed delight over the proposal to designate the oil and gas parks as African centres of excellence, and affirmed that the parks would be completed and commissioned this year, 2025. The Board has started inviting manufacturers and other intending investors to apply and take up shop floors in the park.

He extended invitation to OEMs and other investors from across Africa and beyond to invest in the oil and gas park, remarking that Nigerian content emphasises domiciliation and domestication of capacities, and not indigenisation.

The NCDMB boss commended the APPO Scribe for his meritorious service to the African energy industry, culminating in the establishment the African Energy Bank, which has its headquarters in Abuja. He requested him to continue serving the African oil industry, even after the expiration of his tenure at APPO later this year.

Shell pledges support for reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry

Michael Simire
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Shell pledges support for reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry

Shell has pledged support for the recent reforms in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, describing them as a good way to reposition the sector for growth and profitability.

Shell
L-R: Executive Secretary, African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), Omar Farouk Ibrahim; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,(Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri; Chief Commission Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; Shell’s Senior Vice President, Marno de Jong; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nicholas Agbo Ella at the NUPRC CEOs dinner at the 2025 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja on Wednesday

“We welcome the reforms by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) which have already improved crude oil production to about 1.75 million barrels per day as reported by the agency,” said Senior Vice President Nigeria, Marno de Jong, while speaking at a dinner on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja.

“Sustained reforms will boost production further and generate better returns in the entire value chain of the industry. Shell is determined to support the reforms as part of our general commitment to the development of Nigeria dating back to over 60 years of operations in the country,” de Jong added.

Reforms in the oil and gas industry have picked up following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021 with the NUPRC looking to improve oil and gas production and reserves, achieve cost efficiency and ensure stability in host communities through many initiatives.

Marno said: “Apart from boosting production, the reforms are also attracting investments such as the FID we took last year on the $5 billion Bonga North deep-water project. Nigeria is in stiff competition for capital and confidence and attracting the attention of investors will require continued rethink of strategies and policies.

“This will enable the country to leverage enablers like technology, cost efficiency and manpower to ensure business growth and sustainability through the operations of international oil companies and independent producers.”

Govt unveils policies to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition goals

Michael Simire
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Govt unveils policies to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition goals

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday, February 27, 2025, unveiled the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) and Integrated Resources Plan (NIRP) to accelerate energy transition goals.

National grid
National grid lines

The documents were put in place by the Ministry of Power in partnership with  UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF).

Speaking at the Public Presentation and the unveiling of the NIEP and NIRP in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, said that the NIEP would serve as the guiding framework for Nigeria’s power sector.

Adelabu said that NIEP would also ensure that the country’s journey towards universal electrification was evidence-based, pragmatic, and aligned with its energy transition goals.

“Today’s occasion is a testament to our unwavering commitment to shaping a power sector that is inclusive, sustainable, and driven by strategic planning.

“Complementing this is the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a strategic roadmap that prioritises least-cost electrification and an optimised energy resource utilisation.

“Collectively, the NIEP and the IRP present a unique opportunity to drive the transformation of Nigeria’s power sector through a data-driven and evidence-based approach,” he said.

Adelabu said that beyond strengthening the sector, the NIEP and the IRP frameworks had far-reaching economic implications directly impacting supply reliability to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large industries, reducing operational disruptions caused by power shortages.

He said that the frameworks would foster economic growth and job creation, and accelerate local and regional development.

“This reinforces our commitment to delivering a more reliable, sustainable, and inclusive energy future for all Nigerians.

“This aligns seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu which recognises that energy is not merely a commodity but the backbone of economic growth and job creation,” he said.

Adelabu said that as a result of the president’s unwavering support and commitment to advancing the development of the power sector it achieved a lot of milestones in 2024.

The minister listed the milestones to include the development of the National Integrated Electricity leveraged on more than one billion dollars  investment in the power sector.

“Others are the commencement of the process of transitioning the sector to full commercialisation, achieving an average of about 5, 300 Megawatts (MW) from 4, 200MW recorded in 2023 among others,” he said.

According to him, the opportunities within the country’s power sector are vast, spanning from closing transmission and distribution gaps to developing hydropower and integrating large-scale renewables into the grid.

“We recognise the critical role of private capital, innovation, and expertise in transforming our electricity landscape, and we are committed to fostering an enabling environment for sustainable investment.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) and other development partners for their valuable support in this journey.

“Your partnership has been instrumental in helping us develop the robust policy and planning frameworks that will shape the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape,” he said.

Ms. Sally Woolhouse, Head of Economic Development, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Nigeria, said that the UK and Nigeria enjoyed a long-standing relationship.

Woolhouse said that the UK would continue supporting first class infrastructure development in Nigeria that would lead to sustainable economic growth as this would build mutually beneficial strategic partnerships for both countries.

“Today’s event demonstrates the commitment of the UK and Nigerian governments to addressing Nigeria’s energy sector challenges.

“On policy, it demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to tech-driven, evidence-based, and sustainable energy planning for the country within a context of policy certainty,” she said.

By Constance Athekame

How to improve governance in Nigeria, by Gov. Fubara

Michael Simire
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How to improve governance in Nigeria, by Gov. Fubara

Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State says lack of public accountability, weak institutions, passivity of citizens and civil society organisations are reasons Nigeria still gropes for good governance.

Gov. Siminalayi Fubara
Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State

Fubara spoke at the 6th Yearly Lecture of the SWAAYA Limited, Publishers of The Freedom Online, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Lagos.

The lecture, tagged “Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, Leaders or the Led?”, brought together politicians, media experts, among others.

Fubara, who was represented by a former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Tele Ikuru, said that as long as citizens and civil society organisations remained passive, bad governance would continue.

“There is a symbiotic relationship between leadership and followership.

“Leaders emerge from the same society they govern. If the people demand accountability, credible leaders are more likely to emerge.

“If citizens remain passive, bad governance will continue,” the governor said

According to him, elected officials such as governors, legislators and other political appointees have the mandate to serve the people and implement policies for national progress.

He said that people also had the power to influence leadership by making informed choices and holding leaders accountable for their actions.

Fubara said the country had battled several socio-political challenges, including economic stagnation, unemployment and corruption over the years, saying it was time to change the narrative.

He decried electoral issues such as violence, rigging, and voter intimidation, saying the problems had constricted the space for the emergence of credible leaders.

Fubara also said weak public institutions, poor infrastructure, institutional failures had exacerbated governance challenges.

The governor frowned at tribal politics and lack of engagement of leaders, saying these had impacted the country’s democracy negatively.

“Instead of demanding good governance, some citizens support politicians based on ethnic or party loyalty rather than competence.

“Society often tolerates and even celebrates corrupt leaders, making accountability difficult.

“Many people do not actively engage with government policies, public hearings, or hold leaders accountable between elections,” he said.

Highlighting roles of the civil society and the media in exposing corruption and advocating for policy changes, Fubara said both leaders and citizens must take responsibility to address leadership challenges.

He said that public interest must be at the centre of public policy.

Calling for ethical leadership and improved electoral integrity, Fubara said that political parties must prioritise candidates with integrity and competence.

“Nigeria, we must break the cycle of poor leadership and passive followership by fostering a culture of civic engagement and ethical governance.

“Foreigners will not fix Nigeria for us. Until Nigerians take full ownership of the country’s problems and solutions, the cycle of poor governance and underdevelopment will persist,” he said.

Corroborating, Sen. Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, said most of the problems Nigeria was faced with had to do with poor leadership.

Also speaking, Prof. Akinyemi Onigbinde, Executive Secretary, Centre for Policy and Development Studies, said politicians must begin to play their game the right way to strengthen democracy.

Also, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, said that bad leadership and followership had affected the country’s progress.

Adams also called for strong opposition, saying no good governance could come out of any democracy with weak opposition.

Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman of the occasion, while tracing the history of Nigeria’s socio-political challenges, commended the guest speaker and publisher for the theme of the lecture.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Online, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, commended the guest speakers for doing justice to the topic.

He said there was the need to distinguish between political maneuvering and substantive governance.

“Today, we confront a fundamental question: What do Nigerians expect between now and the 2027 presidential election?

“This inquiry leads us to examine the relationship between citizens and their elected representatives, and the accountability that binds them,” Akinadewo said.

Stating that Nigeria’s political and judicial systems require urgent reform, the publisher said, “As the world advances, Nigeria cannot afford stagnation”.

Other speakers at the event included Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Social Democracy Party (SDP); Retired Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade, former Military Administrator in Bayelsa State and former Minister of Police Affairs, among others.

By Adeyemi Adeleye

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