The National Council for Climate Change is partnering the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the African Group of Negotiators, and others to promote sustainable energy use and achieve climate goals.

Omoteniola Majekodunmi, director-general of NCCC, said this during a panel discussion at the ongoing three-day retreat on the Pre-COP 30 Synthesis meeting and Regional Strategy Review Session on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa.

The programme was organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The meeting was convened to engage stakeholders on Nigeria’s climate transition strategy ahead of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference.

Ms Majekodunmi, represented by Jummai Vandu, a climate change specialist at NCCC, said the collaboration would help Nigeria utilise its abundant natural gas resources responsibly and reduce environmental risks.

“We are working closely with strong institutions like OPEC, the African Group of Negotiators, and others to ensure Nigeria’s energy use aligns with global climate commitments,” she said.

Ms Majekodunmi said that the partnership would also protect Nigeria’s economy from fiscal shocks that might result from a hasty energy phase-out.

She added that the goal was to balance the nation’s development needs with climate action in a way that leaves no one behind.

The NCCC boss explained that the government was exploring technologies such as carbon capture and storage to manage emissions and attract private investment in clean energy.

She also warned that a sudden phase-out of fossil fuels in the name of addressing climate change could trigger fiscal and economic crises in the country.

According to her, Nigeria must adopt a balanced and gradual approach to energy transition to protect its economy and livelihoods.

“If we rush into a complete energy phase-out, two things will happen: fiscal shock and economic contraction, and we cannot afford that because of our population size and economic realities,” she said.

Ms Majekodunmi explained that Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves remain a key resource in ensuring a just and inclusive energy transition.

“Our strategy is to use natural gas as a bridge fuel while investing in cleaner technologies that reduce emissions,” she added.

She, therefore, called for increased private sector investment to drive the implementation of Nigeria’s National Climate Transition Plan.

She said that the plan, developed through wide consultations, would not be effective if left on the shelf without the needed financing and digitalisation.

Ms Majekodunmi said that private funding would also help accelerate Nigeria’s climate goals and strengthen adaptation measures across key economic sectors.

She also reaffirmed NCCC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s transition policies are inclusive, data-driven, and aligned with national development priorities.

(NAN)