Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to an equitable clean energy transition during a virtual address at the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions, a side event of the G20 Brasil 2024 summit.
In her remarks, Onyejeocha highlighted Nigeria’s innovative initiatives aimed at integrating workforce development and social equity into climate policies. A statement from her media adviser, Emameh Gabriel, emphasized the focus on economic empowerment and the creation of opportunities in emerging green jobs, including solar energy and renewable technologies.
Key initiatives discussed include the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), which aims to generate 25,000 green jobs while reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector, and the Labour Employment and Empowerment Program (LEEP), designed to provide training for women and youth in green economy skills. The minister also mentioned efforts to upskill automotive technicians to convert petrol-powered vehicles to CNG.
Onyejeocha stressed that Nigeria’s model could serve as a blueprint for other countries, stating, “Climate action must be paired with economic empowerment. We must provide opportunities for our people to thrive in this new era.”
She underscored Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring fairness in its clean energy policies, particularly in protecting and empowering the workforce. “As we move towards a sustainable energy future, it is essential that this transition leaves no one behind, especially those whose livelihoods have been tied to the energy sector for decades,” she added.
The minister highlighted that the CNG initiative not only aims to reduce emissions but also focuses on job creation. The Ministry of Labour and Employment is working with stakeholders to train workers for new opportunities, particularly in retrofitting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG.
Furthermore, LEEP aims to equip women and youth with essential skills for the green economy, focusing on areas such as solar panel installation, greenhouse farming, and recycling. Women and youth are expected to make up 30-40% of those trained under the program, ensuring they can fully capitalize on opportunities in the clean energy sector.
