Women in Energy, Oil and Gas (WEOG) has called for stronger investment in climate data, education, innovation and bankable green projects as Nigeria works towards a more inclusive and sustainable energy transition.

The association made the call during a courtesy visit to Titi Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.

The visit, part of WEOG’s preparations for World Decarbonization Day (WDD) 2026, provided an opportunity for the association to engage the Lagos State Government on collaboration in climate action, sustainability, circular economy and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The delegation was led by WEOG’s National Vice President (Services), Toyin Yusuff, and National Vice President (Sectors), Chizoba Christiana Anyika. Also present was Tolulope Akinnubi, Sector Secretary, Future Energy, Renewables and Climate Action Committee (FERCA), WEOG.

Speaking during the visit, Oshodi described climate change as a major threat to the global economy, saying climate action must move beyond awareness to include reliable data, education, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable financing.

She stressed the importance of developing accessible climate data to support evidence-based decision-making and enable governments, businesses and investors to better understand climate risks and develop appropriate responses.

Oshodi also advocated climate education at family and community levels, saying people need the knowledge and tools to understand climate change and respond effectively to its impact.
She said climate action should also be viewed as an economic opportunity, urging stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that can be structured into bankable projects capable of attracting financing.

She called for appropriate incentives and enabling policies to encourage investment in sustainable businesses and climate solutions, while urging financial institutions to support viable green innovations.

Oshodi identified the energy sector as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and stressed the need for practical measures to reduce emissions without undermining economic development.

She added that the Lagos State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP) estimates the economic impact of climate inaction at between $22 billion and $29 billion, representing about 11 times the state’s 2022 annual budget.

Oshodi expressed the Lagos State Government’s readiness to explore strategic partnerships with WEOG on climate education, sustainability, innovation, circular economy initiatives and climate action.

Yusuff said WEOG serves as the anchor organisation for World Decarbonization Day, providing a platform for sustained stakeholder engagement on decarbonisation.

She urged governments, institutions, businesses and other stakeholders to partner with WEOG in educating the public and key actors across the energy ecosystem, stressing that sustained advocacy and education are essential to translating climate awareness into action.

Yusuff also called for a balanced and realistic approach to the energy transition, cautioning against demonising fossil fuels.

She said Nigeria must accelerate its transition to cleaner energy while recognising the continuing importance of fossil fuels to the country’s economy and energy security.

She advocated an inclusive and just transition that reflects Nigeria’s economic realities while promoting investment in renewable energy, cleaner technologies, energy efficiency and emissions reduction.

According to her, the transition should be managed through collaboration, innovation, technology, investment and education to ensure that communities, workers and businesses are not left behind.

Anyika reaffirmed WEOG’s readiness to collaborate with government, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders on decarbonisation, climate education and advocacy.

She said climate change should not be viewed solely as a challenge, noting that the transition also presents opportunities for job creation, entrepreneurship, innovation and revenue generation.

Anyika said climate challenges, when properly documented through data, translated into knowledge and matched with appropriate financing and entrepreneurial support, could become catalysts for new businesses and sustainable livelihoods.

She highlighted opportunities for women, young people, entrepreneurs and innovators in emerging green sectors, including renewable energy, circular economy, waste management and energy efficiency.

The courtesy visit reinforced WEOG’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with government and other stakeholders ahead of World Decarbonization Day 2026.

The engagement highlighted the need for climate action to be backed by reliable data, education, incentives, innovation, bankable projects, financing and sustained collaboration.

With the theme, “Accelerating Decarbonization Through Collaboration, Innovation and Sustainable Climate Action,” WDD 2026 is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to explore practical pathways towards a cleaner, more resilient and sustainable future while unlocking economic opportunities from the energy transition.

World Decarbonization Day 2026 is scheduled for September 3, 2026.