From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, (ANEEJ) has praised the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, for leading a study on the influence of the energy transition on Nigeria’s economy, calling it timely and essential for national policy.
ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, expressed this praise at the recent Validation Workshop for the study.
Rev. Ugolor thanked NEITI for the invitation and for its ongoing cooperation with civil society to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria’s extractive and energy sectors.
He emphasized that the study demontrates NEITI’s commitment to producing trustworthy knowledge that can help government and other stakeholders craft policies grounded in facts, evidence, and thorough analysis.
He pointed out that the study’s timing is crucial amid ongoing global discussions on how countries can manage the energy transition without harming their economies, communities, or development goals.
“For Nigeria, the transition must be carefully managed to promote energy security, increase access to affordable energy, protect jobs and public revenues, and ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind,” Ugolor stated.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his goal of building a one-trillion-dollar Nigerian economy, with the energy sector playing a key role in reaching that target.
“Nigeria must therefore develop a coherent, inclusive, and evidence-based transition strategy that considers our national circumstances while positioning the country to benefit from emerging opportunities in renewable energy, technology, green investments, and economic diversification,” he said.
Ugolor added that ANEEJ’s involvement in the workshop offers civil society the opportunity to share perspectives, insights, and recommendations to enhance the study.
“We look forward to constructive discussions and to ensuring that the final report reflects the concerns of citizens, workers, host communities, businesses, and other stakeholders affected,” he said.
He also praised NEITI’s leadership for supporting civil society engagement and its dedication to transparency and evidence-based policymaking.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
