Tinubu urges extractive firms to embrace low-carbon a transition

By Abubakar Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on companies in Nigeria’s extractive industries to adopt cleaner, more sustainable practices in line with global energy transition goals.

Speaking at the International Conference on Petroleum, Environment, Solid Minerals and Security (ICPESMS 2025) in Abuja, Tinubu stressed the need for a low-carbon pathway, circular economy practices, and responsible community engagement.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, Tinubu said extractive operations must evolve “from exploration to decommissioning” to reduce gas flaring, manage waste responsibly, and restore degraded lands.

“Communities affected by resource extraction deserve fair compensation, biodiversity protection, and a genuine commitment to remediation.

“Only through such measures can we build resilience, trust, and long-term prosperity”,he said.

Tinubu also highlighted the role of shared responsibility, urging development partners, businesses, civil society, academia, the media, and citizens to work with government in greening the sector.

“Together, we can transform Nigeria’s abundant resources into a platform for peace, stability, and inclusive growth,” he said.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, echoed the president’s message, describing the extractive sector as a potential driver of economic transformation.

Akume, represented by Engr .Nadungu Gagare, however, warned that this promise could only be fulfilled through inclusive governance, transparency, and strong collaboration among state institutions, the private sector, and civil society.

“A stable and secure extractive sector is foundational to peacebuilding and national cohesion,” Akume said, stressing the risks posed by unsustainable resource extraction, environmental degradation, and community discontent.

In his welcome remarks,Chairman of the Petroleum, Environment and Solid Mineral Degradation Awareness Association (PESMDAA), Robert Adah, said communities nationwide have been suffering the consequences of mismanaged extraction.

“From Sokoto to Lagos, Maiduguri to Port Harcourt, the cry is the same,” Adah said. “For every blessing, there is a burden, and in our case, the burden has been degradation and economic mismanagement.”

He explained that PESMDAA was committed to helping states improve their internally generated revenue while ensuring the federal government benefits from resource extraction without further harming local communities.

In her goodwill Message,Dr Aishetu Ndayako, Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, (EPO) reaffirmed its commitment to erosion control, flood management, and environmental restoration.

Represented byDirector of Solid Erosion and Flood Control, Eluma Garba said collaboration with civil society groups like PESMDAA was critical to ensuring sustainable utilisation of natural resources.

“Together, we can safeguard our environment and strengthen community resilience in line with global best practices and Nigeria’s development goals,” she said.

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