By Faridat Salifu
As Nigeria joined the global observance of World Refrigeration Day 2025, on Thursday in Abuja stakeholders have called for urgent reforms, enhanced professionalism, and investment in sustainable cooling technologies to protect the environment and build green careers.
At a media engagement held in Abuja, the Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), in collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Practitioners (NARAP), emphasized the critical role of the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector in achieving the country’s environmental and climate goals.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADev, led the charge by calling for the professionalisation of the RAC sector, stressing that unregulated and informal practices pose a significant environmental risk.
“This sector is too important to be left in the hands of unregulated actors,” Adogame said.
“We must transition away from a system where quacks continue to manage our refrigeration systems.
Any AC or cooling system must be handled by certified professionals, and NARAP should be at the centre of that professionalisation.”
Adogame revealed that even he only recently learned about World Refrigeration Day through NARAP, a reality he said underscores the need for broader public awareness about the day’s significance and the sector it celebrates.
He called for NARAP’s involvement in policy formulation, citing their technical knowledge as essential for regulatory bodies such as the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
SRADev is currently implementing a project aimed at accelerating action to reduce emissions from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances in Nigeria.
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As part of this project, Adogame announced the upcoming launch of a capacity-building programme targeting NARAP members, scheduled to begin next month.
He also pledged to work with NARAP in commemorating World Ozone Day, and to support the association in gaining access to international partnerships and funding.
“This sector can no longer operate in isolation,” Adogame asserted.
“You need to be part of regional and global conversations to learn, innovate, and advocate effectively.”
Responding, NARAP National President Ahmed Muhammed welcomed the partnership and reiterated the association’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible service practices.
He acknowledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Ozone Office, and UNIDO in promoting eco-friendly refrigerants and ozone layer protection.
Muhammed also praised SRADev for bolstering advocacy and awareness across the RAC sector.
He noted that awareness campaigns and training initiatives are ongoing in other parts of the country, reflecting a nationwide effort to eliminate harmful refrigerants and informal servicing methods.
He stressed that World Refrigeration Day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of cooling technologies in public health, food security, and climate protection.
This year’s World Refrigeration Day theme, “Cool Careers,” shines a spotlight on the creation of green jobs and the need for skilled technicians in the RAC industry.
Stakeholders at the Abuja event agreed that achieving sustainable cooling in Nigeria will require a combination of policy reform, strategic investment, inclusive partnerships, and enhanced consumer education.
