…Nigeria target Q1 2027 for Joint Economic Commission with Türkiye
By Gloria Ikibah 
Nigeria has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom on energy security and transition, as the Federal Government pushes for a just and equitable shift to cleaner energy without undermining the country’s development priorities.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, signed the agreement on the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where he also led Nigeria’s bilateral engagements with Türkiye and participated in events showcasing indigenous innovation.
The Nigerian delegation was led by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and included the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, among other officials.
At the announcement of the UK-Nigeria Energy Security and Transition Partnership, Enikanolaiye, who represented the Minister of Environment, said Nigeria supported an energy transition that was just, orderly and equitable, taking into account national circumstances, energy security and development needs.
He said the transition must also expand access to affordable and reliable energy without undermining economic diversification and wealth creation.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria was working towards net-zero emissions by 2060 and regarded natural gas as a transition fuel. He identified methane reduction as an immediate opportunity to cut emissions while pursuing national development objectives.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ending routine gas flaring by 2030, noting that the establishment of a Joint Decarbonisation Working Group would support the implementation of the commitments.
Commending the UK Government for its continued cooperation with Nigeria on environmental issues, Enikanolaiye said the partnership would strengthen longstanding bilateral relations and promote technology transfer.
“Looking ahead, the UK–Nigeria Methane Partnership should help accelerate action across the oil and gas, waste, and agricultural sectors. In the energy sector, particular attention should be given to improved methane measurement, reporting and verification, leak detection and repair, reduction of venting and flaring, and the deployment of appropriate technologies for capturing and utilising associated gas.
“Our collective success will depend not merely on the commitments we announce, but on the practical results we achieve. By addressing methane emissions in Nigeria’s oil, gas, waste, and agricultural sectors, we deliver immediate climate benefits while upgrading our national infrastructure, improving air quality, and securing energy supplies for millions of citizens,” he said.
Following the signing of the MoU, the minister participated in a panel discussion, where he restated Nigeria’s commitment to a fair and orderly energy transition.
Nigeria, Türkiye to hold economic commission in 2027
In another major engagement at COP31, Nigeria and Türkiye agreed to convene a Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in the first quarter of 2027 to strengthen trade, investment and broader bilateral relations.
The agreement emerged from a high-level meeting between Enikanolaiye, who represented Nigeria, and Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Africa), Ambassador Musa Kulaklikaya.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in defence, energy, infrastructure development and trade.
Enikanolaiye highlighted Nigeria’s substantial natural gas reserves and invited Turkish investors to participate in major infrastructure projects, including the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline.
On security cooperation, Nigeria expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s support in capacity building, particularly the recent training programmes for Nigerian special forces.
The two countries are also working towards finalising an MoU to formalise cooperation in the defence industry and strengthen their security capabilities.
The discussions further covered regional stability in West Africa, with Nigeria acknowledging Türkiye’s role in the Sahel and stressing the need for collaborative diplomacy to promote lasting peace and regional integration, particularly in relations between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
They also agreed to strengthen consular cooperation and streamline visa procedures for holders of diplomatic and official passports to ease official travel between both countries.
Nigeria’s participation at COP31 also featured the presentation of home-grown innovation, with Enikanolaiye commending a Nigerian entrepreneur behind the development of a solar-powered backpack at an event organised by Innovative Renewable Energy Storage Solution (iRESS).
The minister also praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address the country’s energy gaps, saying the administration had embarked on difficult but necessary reforms to create an environment in which businesses such as iRESS could thrive.
He identified macroeconomic stability as a foundation for improving the living conditions and livelihoods of Nigerians.
Enikanolaiye later joined Kyari and Environment Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal to declare open Nigeria Day at the country’s pavilion, where he expressed appreciation for the organisation of the event.
The engagements formed part of Nigeria’s broader participation at COP31, with the Federal Government seeking to advance climate diplomacy, attract investment, strengthen international partnerships and ensure that the transition to cleaner energy supports national development.
