‘Nigeria can become renewable energy powerhouse’
The Country Manager of Natural Justice, Michael Keania Karikpo, has expressed optimism that with the right policies and institutional frameworks, Nigeria could emerge as a renewable energy powerhouse in West Africa. He stressed that the country stands at an energy crossroads, adding that the ongoing discussions around energy transformation would lead to concrete steps towards […]
The Country Manager of Natural Justice, Michael Keania Karikpo, has expressed optimism that with the right policies and institutional frameworks, Nigeria could emerge as a renewable energy powerhouse in West Africa.
He stressed that the country stands at an energy crossroads, adding that the ongoing discussions around energy transformation would lead to concrete steps towards Nigeria’s sustainable energy transition.
Karikpo disclosed this at a policy dialogue on renewable energy held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He stressed the need for strong legal and financial frameworks to attract significant investment into Nigeria’s power sector.
The event, titled “Strategies for Building a Strong and Effective Coalition in Support of Renewable Energy in Nigeria”, was co-hosted by Natural Justice, Just Energy Transition Africa, and the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria.
Karikpo pointed out the global shift away from renewable energy commitments, noting that the president of OPEC recently urged Africa to unlock its 120 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, disregarding policies that could hinder oil-based revenue growth.
“As the global community dials back on renewable energy commitments, and as the OPEC president is urging Africa to unlock its over 120 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and to disregard misguided policies at the ongoing energy summit in Aso Rock Villa, it is incumbent on us to discover viable alternative economic development pathways for our country that provide the same quantum of revenue that fossil fuels bring in but without their devastating ecological impacts,” he said.