By Abdullahi Lukman
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s climate, trade and industrial sectors have called for stronger collaboration with the European Union to advance green industrialisation and sustainable trade, as the country seeks to diversify its economy away from
fossil fuels.
The call was made at a policy workshop on trade, investment and green industrialisation hosted in Abuja by the Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, in partnership with the Paris-based Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales (IDDRI) under the Ukama Network, and in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI).
Held at the Transcorp Hilton, the workshop brought together more than 50 policymakers, private sector leaders, diplomats and development experts to review Nigeria’s policy and institutional frameworks and propose practical steps to strengthen green economic cooperation with the EU.
Participants described green industrialisation as an economic necessity, aligning it with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and the country’s net-zero target by 2060, while identifying gaps in implementation and opportunities for deeper trade and investment partnerships.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of shifting global geopolitics and recent commitments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mobilise between $20 billion and $30 billion annually in climate finance for climate-resilient growth and energy transition, a goal participants said could be supported through enhanced EU engagement.
MIn his opening remarks, CCCD Director and Ukama Co-Chair, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, said the dialogue was aimed at addressing structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s economy, including heavy reliance on oil exports, which account for about 90 per cent of export earnings, while leveraging opportunities such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.
IDDRI Executive Director and Ukama Co-Chair, Dr. Sebastien Treyer, stressed the importance of mutually beneficial partnerships, noting the need to remove barriers to market access and improve investment conditions for private sector players in green industrial supply chains.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade
and Investment, Dr. Mrs. Rachel Mandi George reaffirmed government commitment to policies that promote renewable energy, value addition and sustainable industrial development, describing green industrialisation as a transformative pathway for Nigeria’s economy and environment.
Mr. Olamide Fagbuji, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations, highlighted key national climate policies, including the Climate Change Act, the Energy Transition Plan, the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy and the recently updated Nationally Determined Contribution.
In his address, the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, described the EU’s partnership offer as long-term and focused on quality infrastructure, local value chains and regional integration, adding that the bloc stands ready to provide technical assistance to support Nigeria’s green industrial transition.
