Prioritise national interest in your energy transition plans – NEITI to FG

The Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has called for a just, fair and equitable energy transition that will prioritise Nigeria’s national interest in the engagements and response to global energy transition process.

At the National Dialogue on energy transition convened by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in collaboration with the Africa Climate Foundation, BudgiT, and the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI), the Executive Secretary of NEITI Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji said Nigeria in its considerations to shift to renewable energy, must identify opportunities in its untapped oil, gas and mining resources.

Dr. Orji said, “NEITI believes that Nigeria’s energy transition journey must be driven and strictly guided by credible information and data on the country’s energy security and most importantly, strategic national interest.

”Nigeria must not rush into a hasty energy transition without a thorough analysis of its comparative advantage and implications on our resources, economy, jobs and livelihoods of her citizens”.

The Executive Secretary stated that clarity in the attendant risks to Nigeria, strategy to manage the risks and plans to maximize the opportunities including the diversification of the economy, energy security and its attendant technology needs as well as citizens’ education and awareness will shape the country’s overall response.

He welcomed the prompt decision of the Federal Government to unfold the National Energy Transition Plan in February this year. He explained, “The National Dialogue will stimulate public debate and engagements on the Plan and ensure that its implementation is robust, equitable and responsive to the present and future needs of Nigerians”.

He reiterated, “As the world transits from the use of fossil fuel to cleaner and sustainable energy, transparency and accountability must be mainstreamed into the process, including the reporting of emissions, disclosure of climate risks and overall governance of the energy industry in other to avoid the pitfalls of her past and present energy experiences.