NCCC Urges Use of Natural Gas to Drive Africa’s Industrial Transition
The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Majekodunmi Omotenioye, has emphasised that Africa must adopt a pragmatic approach to energy transition, using natural gas as a bridge fuel to drive industrialisation while meeting global climate commitments. She made these remarks in her keynote address at the three-day Green Conference 2026, organised by Greenplinth Africa in Lagos, themed “Decarbonising Africa: Pathway to Climate Finance, Sustainable Growth and Green Economy.”
The conference brought together policymakers, climate experts, state governments, and development partners to discuss strategies for balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. Omotenioye highlighted that Africa faces a unique challenge: pursuing rapid industrial growth while reducing carbon emissions — a challenge that developed economies did not face during their own industrialisation.
“Africa stands at a pivotal moment in the history of global development. Ours is the youngest continent on earth, rich in resources, innovation, and human potential, yet hundreds of millions still live without reliable access to modern energy. The real question before us is not whether Africa should decarbonise. That objective is already clear and widely shared. The question is how Africa can achieve industrial growth, energy security, and economic prosperity while advancing the global climate agenda,” she said.
Omotenioye noted that substituting coal and heavy fuel oil with natural gas could cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50 per cent and improve air quality. She emphasised Nigeria’s capacity in this transition, noting that the country has over 600 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, which could simultaneously support industrial growth and contribute to climate objectives. She also disclosed that Nigeria recently launched a national framework to decarbonise its oil and gas value chain, covering upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
Sub-national governments also featured prominently in the discussions. Sam Ode, Deputy Governor of Benue State, stressed that states must play a central role in Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy, ensuring that rural and vulnerable populations benefit from clean energy access. Benue State became the first sub-national government to sign a clean energy agreement with Greenplinth Africa, positioning the state as a frontier for green investment opportunities.
Following Benue, Niger State signed a similar agreement. Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Abubakar Musa, and Director-General of the Niger State Agency for Green Initiatives, Daniel Galadima, affirmed the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, and revenue generation through green energy projects. Muhammed Gudi, representing Nasarawa State, also highlighted the state’s readiness to support decarbonisation initiatives through policy backing and land provision, citing potential employment opportunities and climate benefits.
Lagos State was recognised as the first sub-national government to sign a memorandum of understanding with Greenplinth Africa, demonstrating early commitment to the initiative. The conference underscored the importance of collaboration among national and sub-national governments, development partners, and the private sector to advance Africa’s energy transition and promote economic growth.
