The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change, Simon Stiell, has described Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as a “significant step forward” in the country’s energy and climate transition.
In a statement issued on Monday, Stiell said Nigeria’s clean energy pathway presents an opportunity to usher in “a new era of economic growth,” while creating jobs, attracting investment, and harnessing the potential of its youthful population.
“Every country is now in a race to realise the benefits of clean energy. By setting clear goals, including near-term targets to reduce emissions towards achieving net zero by 2060, Nigeria is sending a clear signal to the world: development and climate action go hand in hand,” he said.
Stiell also commended Nigeria for strengthening inclusivity in its plan, noting that “involving more and more of society in climate action makes the plan stronger.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s revised NDC demonstrates that climate action and development are mutually reinforcing rather than contradictory.
The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) had earlier announced that the updated NDC would be submitted to the UN ahead of the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November.
The third contribution, tagged NDC 3.0, was unveiled and validated on August 27 during a workshop organised by the NCCC.
