Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that discussions are underway with private investors to mobilize nearly $60 million towards the electrification of Onne Port, aimed at transforming it into Nigeria’s first green port.
Speaking at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria (DIN) Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, the vice president said the initiative represents a strategic move to phase out diesel use, slash carbon emissions, and supply round-the-clock hybrid energy to terminal operators and port users.
“This is a strategic leap. Through an integrated hybrid energy system, we will phase out diesel dependency, reduce emissions, and provide 24/7 sustainable power. Onne Port is emerging as the template for our ambition to build a robust green economy,” Shettima said.
The vice president emphasized that climate action must now be seen as an economic necessity, not a luxury, stressing that Nigeria can no longer build outdated infrastructure for a rapidly evolving future. He said 75% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions stem from infrastructure sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, and urban development.
According to him, the country’s climate vision must be rooted in reality and designed to serve its development priorities.
“If done right, this transition could generate over 1.5 million green jobs by 2035 and open new export markets in clean energy and climate-smart agriculture,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and Climate Change Act provide a practical and visionary roadmap to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
Declaring the summit’s theme, “Unlocking Climate Finance for Sustainable Development,” as timely, the vice president underscored the urgency of aligning climate financing with national development goals.
“We are here not to fantasize, but to finance, to mobilize, to de-risk and to build. The Nigeria we want cannot be powered by diesel generators or fragile grids. We must construct infrastructure that heals, not harms,” he added.
Shettima also called for stronger regulatory frameworks, policy harmonization, and tools such as a Green Investment Portal to bridge climate finance with sustainable development opportunities. He urged subnational governments to lead decarbonization efforts across all regions and communities.
Also speaking at the summit, Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said Nigeria must urgently transition to a low-carbon economy despite its relatively low global carbon footprint.
“Due to its geographical location and low adaptive capacity, Nigeria is highly vulnerable to climate impacts. Transitioning to a low-carbon pathway is critical for sustainability,” Maduekwe noted.
She emphasized the importance of smart agriculture, renewable energy, and improved land management for carbon sequestration, while also highlighting the need for private sector investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.
In his remarks, Musaddiq Mustapha Adamu, Special Assistant to the President on Subnational Infrastructure, described the summit as being not just about emissions, but about equity and economic survival. “We are building a future where infrastructure empowers the poor, the young, and the marginalised,” he said.
Shettima Reaffirms Commitment to Transparent Privatisation
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima has tasked members of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and due diligence in all privatisation processes.
Presiding over the second NCP meeting of 2025 at the State House, Abuja, Shettima said Nigeria’s economic future depends on the integrity of the Council’s decisions.
“Our legal committee must ring-fence every transaction. We are constantly vulnerable to arbitration. Every deal must withstand microscopic scrutiny so we are not asked years later to explain questionable outcomes,” he said.
The meeting reviewed several key privatisation efforts, including the divestment of shares in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, the delineation of assets and liabilities for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN-NISO), and a review of the concession agreement for Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plc.
The Council also received updates on the World Bank-funded $500 million Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), along with reports on various legal disputes involving power sector entities and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
