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By Gloria Ikibah

Experts have said that Nigeria’s transition toward a low-carbon economy can unlock major economic opportunities, including job creation, increased investment and broader economic diversification.

Africa Director of the Global Wind Energy Council, Wangari Muchiri, stated this during a decarbonisation dialogue that brought together members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria and other key stakeholders to examine the country’s pathway toward reducing carbon emissions.

She stressed that decarbonisation is becoming increasingly important for Nigeria, particularly because major sectors of the economy such as oil and gas as well as agriculture account for a significant share of the country’s carbon footprint. According to her, transitioning to cleaner energy systems is not only an environmental necessity but also a strategic economic move.

The dialogue formed part of ongoing efforts to bring government agencies, industry leaders and development partners to the same table to identify realistic strategies for cutting emissions while also creating new economic value.
Muchiri pointed out that the global momentum toward cleaner energy systems presents Nigeria with a unique opportunity to reposition its economy. By embracing emerging opportunities within the growing carbon economy, the country could strengthen its development prospects while contributing to global climate action.

She said: “The decarbonisation agenda for Nigeria is really critical. Many sectors in Nigeria, including oil and gas and agriculture, are very carbon-heavy. But in today’s global economy, this presents a big opportunity for Nigeria to capitalise on the carbon economy, create jobs, and bring new income into the sector”.

Muchiri said the ongoing engagement with lawmakers and development partners is intended to deepen national discussions on decarbonisation and promote coordinated action across sectors.

She noted that Nigeria has already shown a willingness to pursue the transition to cleaner energy, pointing to remarks made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at major international climate platforms, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

In her view, the government’s stance has helped to build confidence among international partners and private sector actors, many of whom are now showing greater interest in supporting Nigeria’s shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

“I think one of the things we are seeing is that Nigeria is ready. The President has said on several occasions, including at COP last year, that Nigeria is prepared for a decarbonisation agenda. We are excited to see many partners ready to walk this journey with the country,” she said.

She called on development partners, investors, and technical experts to provide stronger support to Nigeria in areas such as financing, knowledge transfer, and technical capacity.

Muchiri stressed that decarbonisation remains a relatively new field in many developing economies and that greater awareness is needed to highlight the economic and employment opportunities it offers.

“Decarbonisation is still a new field, and not many people fully understand what it means for different sectors or how it can create jobs and opportunities in the Nigerian economy. That is why support — both technical and financial — is very important at this stage,” she added.

Drawing from her experience in Kenya, Muchiri said the energy transition has already begun to unlock significant opportunities in other African countries, expressing optimism that Nigeria could experience similar gains.

“I’m Kenyan, and I’ve seen the opportunities that decarbonisation has created in Kenya. The same potential exists for Nigeria. I believe this is the beginning of something very exciting for the Nigerian economy,” she noted.

She also commended the policy direction of the current administration, saying there has been encouraging buy-in from government institutions, lawmakers, and industry stakeholders.

According to her, major oil and gas companies operating in the country are also beginning to align with the decarbonisation agenda.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The member representing Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Marie Ebikake, has sponsored a life-changing cataract surgery that restored the sight of Miss Blessing Inaingo, a young woman from Odioma in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State who had been blind for over a decade.

Blessing was identified during one of the lawmaker’s ongoing free medical outreach programmes across the constituency.

The initiative, which has provided five free cataract surgeries monthly since the inception of Ebikake’s tenure, is aimed at improving access to healthcare services for indigent constituents.

Speaking after the successful procedure, Ebikake expressed joy over the outcome, noting that it gladdens her heart to see Blessing regain her vision after years of living in darkness.

“I am deeply moved and fulfilled seeing her see again. This is what service is about—impacting lives and restoring hope,” she said.

Beyond sponsoring the surgery, the federal lawmaker, fondly called “Mumsy” by her supporters, has taken further steps to secure Blessing’s future by adopting her and relocating her to Abuja for continued care, rehabilitation and support.

Chairman of Brass Ward 5 PDP, Odioma, Mr. Allison Adite, who volunteered to accompany Blessing to the medical facility for the surgery, described the experience as emotional and rewarding.

He commended the lawmaker for her compassion and commitment to the welfare of her constituents.
An overwhelmed Blessing, struggling to contain her emotions, expressed profound gratitude to Ebikake for giving her a new lease of life.

“I can see again. I don’t know how to thank her enough,” she said tearfully.

The outreach programme is part of Ebikake’s broader healthcare intervention efforts in Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, with a sustained focus on addressing preventable blindness and other medical challenges among rural dwellers.

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Gratitude and renewed optimism filled the air on Wednesday as communities across Plateau State welcomed the commissioning of 70 electricity transformers by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, with beneficiaries declaring the intervention a lifeline capable of transforming livelihoods, small businesses and local economies.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, Da Gufwar Ishaku Audu described the initiative as a timely intervention that would restore economic vitality to areas that had struggled for years with unstable or completely absent electricity.

According to him, the arrival of the transformers represents far more than the installation of electrical equipment — it signals a restoration of opportunity, productivity and dignity for many rural and peri-urban communities across the state.

He noted that in several communities, local economic activities had been severely constrained by poor power supply, forcing businesses to rely on expensive generators or shut down operations entirely.

Audu said the governor’s intervention would significantly change that narrative.

He assured that the beneficiary communities would take responsibility for protecting the transformers from vandalism and misuse, stressing that the facilities represented a shared investment in their collective future.

The commissioning of the transformers forms part of a broader electricity expansion strategy being pursued by the Plateau State Government aimed at strengthening transmission, distribution and alternative energy supply across the state.

Governor Mutfwang, while flagging off the distribution exercise, described the intervention as a deliberate step toward expanding electricity access, particularly in underserved communities.

Although 55 transformers were initially approved for procurement, he explained that government increased the number to 70 following growing requests from communities in need of power infrastructure.

“Access to electricity is not a privilege; it is a right,” the governor declared, noting that reliable power supply remains central to economic growth, job creation, and improved quality of life.

He further disclosed that mobilization has been concluded for the installation of a 132KVA transmission line designed to serve the Central and Southern Senatorial Zones of the state — a project expected to significantly strengthen electricity distribution capacity.

Governor Mutfwang also assured residents of Miango and Rukuba communities that negotiations with the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) had been finalized to restore power to areas that had experienced prolonged outages.

Beyond immediate improvements in power distribution, the governor outlined a long-term ambition to transform Plateau into a major energy hub.

“Our ambition is that within the next two years, Plateau State will become a net seller of energy,” he said.

To achieve this, the government is strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) while also expanding investments in solar and other renewable energy solutions aimed at diversifying the state’s power sources.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi, explained that the distribution of transformers is part of a comprehensive rural electrification programme designed to boost economic development and improve public services.

He said improved power infrastructure would stabilize voltage supply, reduce outages, and support residential, commercial and industrial activities across the state.

Lawandi added that reliable electricity would also enhance the efficiency of water supply schemes and other critical public infrastructure.

Representatives of JEDC and NESCO, who attended the event alongside traditional rulers, government officials and community leaders, commended the Plateau State Government for what they described as a proactive and strategic investment in the state’s energy future.