President Bola Tinubu, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing climate-smart agricultural practices aimed at bolstering food security and mitigating environmental impacts.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the United Arab Emirates, Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s responsibility to lead Africa’s energy transition and sustainable development efforts.
In his address titled “Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity: Bridging Africa’s Global Energy Future,” Tinubu called for international cooperation to achieve sustainable development and combat climate change.
He stated, “To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate, and act decisively as a global community.
As Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, Nigeria recognizes its responsibility to demonstrate leadership on these matters.”
The President outlined his administration’s sustainability vision, anchored on three pillars: energy transition, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Highlighting Nigeria’s energy transition plan, Tinubu said, “We are implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security while reducing environmental impacts.
Our government has approved development policies, such as the National Clean Cooking Gas Policy, to promote clean energy and socioeconomic development in our region.”
Tinubu underscored the adoption of eco-friendly agricultural techniques as essential for protecting local communities from climate change effects.
He described these measures as integral to Nigeria’s sustainable development strategy, which seeks to responsibly reduce carbon emissions while advancing economic growth and ensuring social equity.
The President also pointed to Nigeria’s efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, stating, “We are developing infrastructure to utilise compressed natural gas and electric vehicles, as well as responsibly exploring solid minerals and critical metals essential for advancing the green energy transition.”
He further highlighted the importance of inclusivity in these initiatives, ensuring that policies promote equity and social justice.
Tinubu acknowledged environmental challenges such as deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding, pollution, and the shrinking Lake Chad, noting, “Our government is working with local communities to implement solutions and build resilience in the face of these challenges.”
Tinubu also called for international support to finance green projects, emphasizing that investments in sustainable practices require significant resources.
He noted that Nigeria was the first African country to issue Sovereign Green Bonds to fund green projects and urged investors to collaborate, stating, “Our government remains committed to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, with technology and innovation key to driving sustainable development.”
Citing Nigeria’s growing adoption of technologies in clean energy, water conservation, land restoration, waste management, and the circular economy, Tinubu expressed optimism about leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced farming techniques for a sustainable future.
“We are finding innovative ways to address environmental challenges and secure a brighter future through global partnerships and strategic use of technology,” he said.
Tinubu concluded by urging the international community to strengthen regional and global cooperation to meet Sustainable Development Goals and mitigate climate change impacts.
Reflecting on the event’s opening day, he recalled the symbolic gesture of children waving the UAE flag, reminding participants of their shared responsibility to protect the planet for future generations.
