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.
