The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has stressed that Nigeria and other African nations must chart their energy transition pathways in line with their unique economic and developmental realities.
Ekpo made this known on Wednesday during a ministerial panel session themed “Global Shifts: Navigating an Era of Diverging Priorities” at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).
He noted that Nigeria and the African continent should be allowed to harness their natural resources responsibly instead of following externally dictated models that could threaten economic growth.
“Our stance is simple — Nigeria and Africa cannot decarbonise into poverty. We must have the freedom to utilise our resources responsibly to ensure energy security, foster industrialisation, and promote sustainable development,” Ekpo said.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to global decarbonisation efforts, the minister emphasised that the transition must be “sequential, fair, and balanced,” stressing that Africa should not be forced to choose between clean energy goals and economic advancement.
He pointed out that roughly 80 million Nigerians lack access to electricity, while more than 600 million Africans remain without power.
“Millions still depend on biomass for cooking, which is neither clean nor sustainable. Natural gas continues to play a vital role in Nigeria’s energy plan as a low-emission fuel that supports power generation, industrial development, transportation, and clean cooking,” he stated.
According to him, Nigeria is also scaling up renewable energy projects in suitable areas to complement natural gas usage and gradually cut down carbon emissions.
Ekpo added that while renewables form part of Nigeria’s energy mix, the country’s heavy power and industrial demands cannot yet be met exclusively by renewable sources.
“We are, therefore, leveraging our vast gas reserves to grow the economy and guarantee a just, inclusive, and realistic energy transition,” he explained.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the global energy sector is entering a new phase marked by strategic adjustments as nations seek to balance sustainability targets with affordability, accessibility, and energy security.
In this evolving landscape, policymakers and industry leaders are redefining strategies to maintain economic resilience—expanding renewables, reforming the power sector, and modernising traditional systems to ensure reliability and attract investment.
The renewed focus on hydrocarbons, fluctuating prices of critical minerals, and growing regional competition for energy supply are compelling countries to strengthen domestic capabilities and foster practical cross-border partnerships.
Ultimately, the key question for global stakeholders is no longer whether to decarbonize, but how to align climate ambitions with economic growth, fiscal balance, and inclusive social progress.