The federal government has begun discussions with global financial institutions to secure over $60 million in climate finance for green energy hubs.
The facility would serve as a model for clean, affordable, and digitally monitored energy use across other strategic public infrastructures.
One of such moves will see the construction of a transformative hybrid energy project at a major Nigerian airport, the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, disclosed at the opening of the Decarbonizing Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday.
The summit is aimed at unlocking climate finance for sustainable development.
Mr Shettima warned that continued inaction in the face of escalating climate challenges would undermine the country’s development ambitions and economic future, calling for an urgent action to combat the challenge of climate change in Nigeria, saying the country must decisively transition to a low-carbon economy.
“We can no longer delay. Climate action is not just about the environment, it is an economic necessity,” he said.
The VP explained that over 75 per cent of Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from key infrastructure sectors, energy, transportation, agriculture, and urban development, all of which are critical to the country’s economic life.
According to him, without urgent intervention, Nigeria’s projected population boom, to over 440 million by 2050, could further strain resources and worsen environmental degradation.
“The sectors contributing most to our emissions are also those sustaining our livelihoods. To decarbonize is to invest in Nigeria’s prosperity,” he further noted.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment as he listed some of government-backed initiatives aimed at accelerating climate resilience, including a State Innovation Challenge Park, regional climate engagement clinics, and a new white paper on green growth financing.
“Our transition must not be exclusive. It must reach every state, every community, every home. Inclusivity is not an afterthought; it is the cornerstone,” he said.
The former Borno State Governor called for policy harmonization across all tiers of government and the deployment of innovative financing models such as green bonds and climate investment funds to support local solutions and scale climate-smart technologies.
“Our goal is net-zero, but our journey must be local, inclusive, and urgent. The time for bullet points is over. The time for bold action is now,” he charged.