By Abbas Nazil
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with the Africa Carbon Management Technology & Innovation Centre of Excellence (ACMTI) and partners, has launched a Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) initiative platform in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The initiative, unveiled on Thursday, is aimed at advancing Nigeria’s transition toward environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and industrial transformation through innovative carbon management solutions.
Delivering the keynote address, NESREA Director General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, described the platform as a critical milestone in the country’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote cleaner industrial practices.
He emphasized that CCUS offers an economically viable pathway for industrial decarbonization while enabling captured carbon to be reused across sectors such as beverage production, cement manufacturing, chemical processing, fuel production, enhanced oil recovery, and agriculture.
According to him, the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader regulatory framework and supports the development of a circular economy where carbon emissions are transformed into valuable resources.
Prof. Barikor noted that reducing atmospheric carbon to beneficial levels remains essential, adding that the platform creates opportunities to capture, store, and redeploy carbon for productive use.
He further explained that the CCUS platform is designed as a collaborative ecosystem that brings together government agencies, industry leaders, academia, technology developers, investors, and development partners.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NESREA for the initiative, describing it as a practical mechanism for coordination, innovation, and action toward Nigeria’s 2035 climate targets and energy transition goals.
He highlighted the university’s readiness to host the initiative, citing the expertise of its Energy Technology Institute in key areas relevant to energy transition and carbon management.
Dr. Richard Victor Osu, Coordinator of ACMTI and facilitator of the Carbon Technology Innovation Platform, said the vision is to position Nigeria as a regional leader in carbon management technologies while contributing to Africa’s climate commitments and global decarbonization efforts.
He explained that Port Harcourt was selected due to its identification as a potential CCUS hub, with the platform focusing on research, innovation, capacity building, and fostering public–private partnerships.
He added that the initiative would also promote investment opportunities and strengthen collaboration with international research and technology partners.
Juho Lipponen, Coordinator of the Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS Initiative, stated that his organization would support Nigeria in prioritizing CCUS within global clean energy discussions and enhancing deployment strategies.
He also noted that the partnership would help facilitate financing solutions, strengthen collaboration, and improve public awareness around carbon management technologies.
The hybrid launch event featured speakers from countries including the United States, France, Brazil, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, who shared insights and global perspectives on CCUS development.
Key stakeholders present at the event included representatives from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, the National Council on Climate Change, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, academia, private sector actors, and development partners.
