By Faridat Salifu
In a push for an inclusive clean energy future, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiru Onyejeocha, emphasized the country’s dedication to fairness in energy transition during the G-20 summit’s sideline event.
Speaking virtually at the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions, Onyejeocha presented Nigeria as a leader in integrating workforce development within climate policies.
In her address, Onyejeocha underscored Nigeria’s innovative initiatives designed to foster economic empowerment and social equity as the nation navigates its clean energy journey.
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Key among these initiatives is the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), which aims to create 25,000 green jobs while lowering carbon emissions in the transport sector. This initiative is complemented by the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), which focuses on equipping women and youth with essential skills for the green economy.
Onyejeocha further highlighted the importance of upskilling existing automotive technicians to transition petrol-powered vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG). This effort aims to ensure that workers from traditional energy sectors are not sidelined in the global shift towards cleaner technologies.
“Climate action must go hand in hand with economic empowerment,” Onyejeocha stated. “We must create opportunities for our citizens to excel in this new era of energy.” Her remarks emphasized the necessity of embedding principles of fairness in clean energy policies, particularly regarding workforce protection and empowerment.
The minister positioned Nigeria’s model as a potential blueprint for global leaders, advocating for a holistic approach that marries climate objectives with workforce sustainability. “This transition is pivotal not only for our environmental goals but also for securing livelihoods for those who have traditionally relied on fossil fuel industries,” she added.
As Nigeria takes concrete steps toward a sustainable energy future, Onyejeocha’s message resonates with the broader global dialogue on balancing climate initiatives with economic viability, ensuring that no worker is left behind in the transition to cleaner energy sources.
