Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria must decisively transition to a low-carbon economy, warning that continued inaction in the face of escalating climate challenges will undermine the country’s development ambitions and economic future.

Speaking at a climate action and sustainability summit held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Shettima stressed that Nigeria can no longer afford to treat climate responsibility and economic development as separate agendas, noting that sustainable infrastructure must form the backbone of the country’s future growth.
“We can no longer delay. Climate action is not just about the environment, it is an economic necessity,” the Vice President declared.

Shettima noted that over 75 per cent of Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from key infrastructure sectors, energy, transportation, agriculture, and urban development, all of which are critical to the country’s economic life.

He warned that without urgent intervention, Nigeria’s projected population boom, which is expected to exceed 440 million by 2050, could further strain resources and exacerbate environmental degradation.
“The sectors contributing most to our emissions are also those sustaining our livelihoods. To decarbonise is to invest in Nigeria’s prosperity,” he said.

He announced the launch of several government-backed initiatives aimed at accelerating climate resilience, including a State Innovation Challenge Park, regional climate engagement clinics, and a new white paper on green growth financing that underscores the economic potential of decarbonisation.

According to him, these actions are grounded in a just and inclusive transition model that prioritises women, youth, and vulnerable communities at the centre of climate planning.

“Our transition must not be exclusive. It must reach every state, every community, every home. Inclusivity is not an afterthought; it is the cornerstone,” he said.

Shettima also revealed ongoing discussions with global financial institutions to secure over $60 million in climate finance for pilot green energy hubs, including a transformative hybrid energy project at a major Nigerian airport.
The facility, he said, will serve as a model for clean, affordable, and digitally monitored energy use across other strategic public infrastructures.

Reflecting on a recent visit to Ethiopia, the Vice President praised the East African country’s ambitious reforestation efforts and climate innovation initiatives, urging African nations to overcome historical disadvantages and lead the charge in sustainable development.

“History teaches us that resilience is part of who we are. If Nigeria and Ethiopia can rise, Africa will rise again,” Shettima said.

He concluded by calling for policy harmonisation across all tiers of government and the deployment of innovative financing models such as green bonds and climate investment funds to support local solutions and scale climate-smart technologies.

“Our goal is net-zero, but our journey must be local, inclusive, and urgent. The time for bullet points is over. The time for bold action is now,” the Vice President said.