Former Nigerian Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called for climate positive growth to drive job creation, wealth generation, and poverty reduction in Africa. Speaking at the 23rd Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture in Lagos, Osinbajo outlined the continent’s potential to lead in green industrialisation and renewable energy solutions.
Organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Chevron, the lecture themed “Greening Africa’s Economies: Can Climate Positive Growth Deliver Prosperity?” highlighted Africa’s opportunity to achieve economic progress while reducing carbon emissions.
Osinbajo explained that climate positive growth—removing more carbon from the atmosphere than emitted—offers a sustainable development pathway for Africa. He emphasized the continent’s competitive advantage in producing green solutions due to its vast renewable energy resources, young workforce, and natural assets.
“Africa can pioneer the first green industrial civilisation,” he stated, noting that 60% of the world’s renewable energy potential lies within the continent. By adopting green manufacturing and avoiding carbon-intensive industrial practices, Africa could achieve economic growth while mitigating emissions.
NCF Director General, Dr. Joseph Onoja, stressed the need for strong governance to ensure effective implementation of climate initiatives. “Without transparency and accountability, our efforts risk being undermined,” he warned.
The event also saw the recognition of two PhD students, Yohanna Christopher and Oluwatoyin Olayinka, for their research in plant ecology and forest systems.
Osinbajo urged Africans to embrace green initiatives, emphasizing that the continent’s success in climate-positive growth is crucial to global net-zero targets. “Africa can either be the nexus of the solution or part of the crisis,” he concluded.
