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Nigeria pursuing climate-smart practices for food security — Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to bolster food security and reduce environmental impacts.

He said such initiatives stem Nigeria’s recognition of its responsibility to lead a just energy transition and sustainable development in Africa.

Tinubu said this during his address at the ongoing Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week held in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

In his 12-minute discourse titled ‘Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity, bridging Africa’s Global Energy Future,’ the President emphasised the need for international cooperation to achieve sustainable development and mitigate climate change impacts.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s status as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, President Tinubu underscored its responsibility to demonstrate leadership in addressing climate issues.

He posited, “To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate, and decide decisively to collaborate as a global community.

As Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, Nigeria recognizes its responsibility to demonstrate the required leadership on these matters.

“We have embraced the vision of sustainability and that alliance of global aspiration while addressing the local realities.

Our efforts are anchored on three pillars: energy transition, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

“In my administration, we recognise this problem. From inception, we have recognised the importance of reducing carbon emissions and a just transition to clean and renewable Energy, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth energy transition.

”Addressing the specifics of Nigeria’s energy transition plan, he stated that Nigeria is employing climate-smart agricultural practices to bolster food security while reducing environmental impacts.

“Nigeria is implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security while reducing environmental impacts.

“The government has approved several development policies, such as the national clean cooking gas policy, which aims to promote a clean energy environment and its benefit and socioeconomic development in our region,” said Tinubu.

He opined that adopting modern, eco-friendly agricultural techniques is essential for protecting local communities from the adverse effects of climate change.

Describing these measures as pillars of Nigeria’s sustainable development strategy, he stressed that the country’s path forward involves responsibly reducing carbon emissions while advancing economic growth and ensuring social equity.

Like many nations, he said Nigeria is diversifying its energy sources and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

This transition to cleaner alternatives anchors the country’s national development strategy and aligns with a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

Nigeria is developing infrastructure for compressed natural gas and electric vehicles to support these goals. He noted that the government has also invested in responsibly exploring solid minerals and critical metals essential for advancing the green energy transition.

His words, “Dear delegates and excellencies, our energy transition plan, like many nations, is aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing our dependency on fossil fuel, prioritising the transition to cleaner energy sources as a cornerstone of our national development strategy.

“Nigeria is committed to achieving a net zero emission by 2060 in line with global climate objectives; we are developing the infrastructure to utilise compressed natural gas and electric vehicles.

”He said development policies, such as the National Clean Cooking Gas Policy, are designed to promote clean energy, environmental benefits, and socioeconomic development in the region.

Emphasising inclusivity, he highlighted efforts to ensure policies promote equity and social justice, leaving no one behind.

The President also acknowledged Nigeria’s environmental challenges—including deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding, pollution, and other harmful consequences of climate change—and cited the shrinking Lake Chad as a stark example.

“Lake Chad continues to shrink every year, and the livelihood of people continues to be threatened. Our government is working with local communities to implement solutions to get these effects and help us build resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

“For resources to promote a green economy in Africa, we must focus on integrating sustainable practices in all sectors of our economy.

“These investments are capital intensive in nature, and they required international support from partner countries, including national organisations, developmental partners, and individuals who shared our vision of a sustainable, prosperous, and equitable future must be included,” said Tinubu.

President Tinubu also noted that Nigeria became the first African country to fund green projects through Sovereign Green Bond issuances—its third issuance is underway—and he invited investors to collaborate further.

He explained, “Nigeria became the first country in Africa to initiate funding for green projects through green bond proceeds, the third issuance of which is currently in progress; we urge investors to partner with us.

“In this regard, our government remains committed to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and harnessing technology and innovation is key to driving sustainable development.

”The President emphasised that technological innovation is vital for advancing sustainable development, citing Nigeria’s growing adoption of new technologies in clean energy, water conservation, land restoration, waste management, and the circular economy.

“We agree that Nigeria is increasingly embracing new technologies like clean energy, water, conservation, land and forest restoration, waste management, and circular economy.

“We partner with global leaders and are harnessing the power of technology. We are finding new and innovative ways to address our environmental challenges.

“We have arable agricultural lands for advanced technological farming, including the brighter future for artificial intelligence,” the Nigerian leader noted.

Through global partnerships and the strategic use of technology, he said Nigeria seeks innovative ways to address environmental challenges and secure a brighter future, including AI-driven agricultural practices.

On global collaboration, he reminded attendees that environmental challenges are shared worldwide.

Practical solutions, he argued, require collective action grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision of the future.

Nigeria believes sustainable development is not merely a domestic challenge but a global imperative.

Tinubu urged the international community to strengthen cooperation at regional and global levels to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and lessen the impact of climate change.

In closing, President Tinubu reflected on the lasting impression of the children who, on the first day of the event, waved the UAE flag in a call for all to protect the planet for future generations.

He expressed hope that this image would serve as a reminder of the responsibility to build a sustainable world for the children and generations yet to come.

The Nigerian leader also expressed profound gratitude to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the invitation to Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The meeting drew world leaders together to collectively exchange views and perspectives on addressing global challenges.

Aside from President Tinubu, other leaders attending the summit are Italian Prime Minister Georgia Melon; President of Rwanda Paul Kagame; Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim; Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon; and Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, among others.

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UPDATE: Dangote Refinery Cuts Fuel Prices, Updates Petrol Supply

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Dangote Refinery has announced a nationwide petrol price cut, ahead of the launch of its direct fuel distribution initiative now set for Monday, September 15, 2025.

Originally scheduled for August 15, the initiative will see the $20 billion, 650,000 bpd refinery deliver petrol and diesel directly to consumers using 4,000 CNG trucks, with zero logistics cost.

Despite an ongoing dispute with NUPENG, Dangote Group released a fresh price template on its X account, confirming its gantry price remains N820 per litre.

Retail prices have dropped to N841 per litre in Lagos and the South-West (from N860), and N851 per litre in Abuja, South-South, and North Central states (from N885)—a reduction of N19 to N34 per litre, depending on the location.

The new prices apply only to MRS and Dangote’s official distribution partners, as independent marketers are not bound by the template.

Meanwhile, NUPENG has threatened a fresh strike, accusing Dangote of reneging on earlier agreements—a claim the company denies, affirming workers’ right to union membership.

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Dangote Refinery Mgt Says Workers Union Membership is Personal Choices

It urged NUPENG to focus on resolving its internal dispute with the Petrol Tanker Drivers unit rather than “embroiling the refinery in its conflicts.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said membership of trade unions by its employees remains voluntary and not compulsory, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organisation conventions.

In a statement made available to Ohibaba.com, the company accused what it described as “distortions of facts” by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers concerning its trade relations with workers.

The refinery stressed that it does not interfere with or restrict employees’ right to freely join legally recognised unions.

“It is therefore misplaced to attribute responsibility to Dangote Petroleum Refinery for the personal choices made by drivers regarding union affiliation,” the company stated.

Dangote dismissed allegations that it forced drivers to sign contracts barring union membership, describing the claim as unfounded.

It urged NUPENG to focus on resolving its internal dispute with the Petrol Tanker Drivers unit rather than “embroiling the refinery in its conflicts.

”The company added that accusations of union suppression formed part of a broader attempt to undermine private sector progress.

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NUPENG Dangote Union Memberships Agreement Collapses: What Happened Again?

Akporeha alleged that within 48 hours, Dantata ordered drivers to strip NUPENG stickers from their vehicles and forcefully enter the refinery in violation of union loading procedures.

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The agreement between the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has collapsed, and here’s why.

The confrontation follows allegations by NUPENG that the Dangote Group reneged on a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this week, under which the refinery agreed to allow tanker drivers and other workers to freely unionise.

On Thursday, NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, accused Sayyu Aliu Dantata, a cousin of Aliko Dangote and key player in the refinery’s trucking operations, of defying the resolution reached on September 9 at the Department of State Services headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, mediated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, affirmed the rights of Petroleum Tanker Drivers under NUPENG to unionise. Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, DSS, and other agencies witnessed the signing of the MoU.

But Akporeha alleged that within 48 hours, Dantata ordered drivers to strip NUPENG stickers from their vehicles and forcefully enter the refinery in violation of union loading procedures.

“Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata flew over them several times with his helicopter and then called the navy of the Federal Republic to come over ostensibly to crush the union officials. Our members are waiting for him and his agents to run them over,” Akporeha said in a statement.

The union condemned what it described as Dantata’s “impunity” and warned the Federal Government not to allow security agencies funded by taxpayers to be used against workers.

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