The Federal Government says it is targeting a 47 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as part of its commitment to global climate goals.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, stated this at the 2025 edition of the Africa Climate Forum (ACF) held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The forum, themed “Bolder, Greener, and Better Steps: Closing Transition Gaps in Africa,” brought together policymakers, diplomats, and climate experts to discuss the continent’s green transition efforts.
Keyamo, represented by his Special Adviser on Foreign Direct Investments, Dr. Obafemi Bajomo, said the theme underscored the urgency of climate action across Africa.
“Our goal is clear — to meet and exceed our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, targeting up to a 47 per cent emission reduction by 2030 with international support,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan provides a clear path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 through renewable energy expansion and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
“We are scaling up climate-smart agriculture, advancing reforestation under the Great Green Wall Initiative, and investing in climate education and public awareness so that every citizen becomes a partner in progress,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustainability within the aviation sector, adding that Africa must harness its rich natural and human resources to confront the challenges of climate change.
In his remarks, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina, said climate change was no longer just an environmental issue but a development concern.
“Africa does not lack vision; it lacks cohesion between aspiration, institutions, and the resources necessary to sustain them,” he said.
Parashina noted that Kenya leads Africa in geothermal energy production, with more than 90 per cent of its electricity connected to the national grid generated from renewable sources.
He said Kenya’s campaign to plant 15 billion trees by 2033 aimed not only at environmental restoration but also at inspiring a cultural shift toward civic responsibility.
“Kenya believes Africa’s climate transition must be collaborative. No country can address this challenge alone. Kenya and Nigeria, for example, have enormous potential to cooperate in renewable energy, green technology, sustainable agriculture, and carbon markets,” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Dingyard, said the labour sector plays a crucial role in achieving Nigeria’s climate goals.
Represented by Dr. James Obadiah, Dingyard said transitioning to a greener economy would create new jobs in renewable energy, sustainable practices, and environmental conservation.
“Together, we can develop strategies that reflect our shared ambition to build a resilient and sustainable Africa — one that thrives economically while protecting the environment for generations to come,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Global Centre for Law, Business and Economy, Prof. George Nwangwu, described climate change as a “borderless and relentless force” that demands global cooperation.
He said the ACF, since its inception in 2023, has served as a cornerstone of Africa’s climate action movement — promoting innovation, dialogue, and collaboration.
In a keynote address, the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, said the council had deepened collaboration with international partners to strengthen Nigeria’s climate data verification framework.
Represented by the Director of Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure at the NCCC, Mr. Michael Ivenso, Majekodunmi said the ACF continues to shape Africa’s collective climate response and strengthen regional resilience.
