AWKA/Nigeria: Two prominent figures in Nigeria’s climate change and energy advocacy space, Hon. Sam Onuigbo and Hon. Solomon Maren, have lauded President Bola Tinubu for his decisive actions in removing fuel subsidies and advancing the country’s energy transition reforms. Speaking as guests of honour at a workshop organized by the Centre for Climate Change and Development at Alex Ekwueme Federal University (CCCD, AE-FUNAI) and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in London, the duo praised the government’s boldness in tackling the subsidy issue.
The workshop, held virtually, presented findings from a recent report conducted on Nigeria’s subsidy reform and its energy transition agenda. The report, jointly prepared by CCCD and ODI, analyzed the fuel subsidy removal implemented by President Tinubu on May 29, 2023, and offered recommendations for more progressive and climate-friendly policies and reforms.
Hon. Onuigbo, Vice President (Africa) of the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) and sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, 2021, commended the government for its courage in removing the fuel subsidy. He acknowledged the current economic challenges faced by citizens, especially the lower class, but emphasized the necessity of removing the subsidy to avoid economic collapse.
Highlighting the positive impacts of the subsidy removal, Hon. Onuigbo pointed out that state allocations have significantly increased. He urged state governments to use these additional resources wisely to drive sustainable development goals, including energy transition initiatives.
Hon. Solomon Maren echoed similar sentiments, describing the fuel subsidy as a ticking time bomb for Nigeria’s economy. He applauded President Tinubu for addressing the issue boldly. Hon. Maren emphasized the importance of the subsidy reform in supporting Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
Both lawmakers advocated for measures to make the subsidy reform more supportive of energy transition and climate action. Hon. Maren suggested the introduction of clean cooking solutions, including solar-powered stoves, to reduce emissions. He also called for the adoption of electric buses with installed solar panels to recharge their batteries, instead of distributing buses running on petrol.
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, Director of CCCD, highlighted the potential of the subsidy removal in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. He emphasized the need for reforms to be consistent with sustainable development and equitable to avoid worsening the plight of economically disadvantaged populations.
The report emphasized the need for policies to ensure that gains from the subsidy removal are directed towards advancing energy transition objectives and cushioning the adverse impacts on vulnerable groups. It highlighted the disproportionate impact on female-headed households and called for more aggressive policies to mitigate these effects.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss and strategize on how Nigeria can leverage the subsidy removal to drive sustainable development and climate action.
