Africa Must Adopt Pragmatic Energy Transition Using Natural Gas – NCCC DG

By: Amarachi Okonkwo

The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Majekodunmi Omotenioye, has called for a pragmatic energy transition strategy for Africa that leverages natural gas as a bridge fuel to support industrialisation while aligning with global climate commitments.

Omotenioye made the call in her keynote address at the just-concluded three-day Green Conference 2026, organised by Greenplinth Africa in Lagos.

The conference, themed “Decarbonising Africa: Pathway to Climate Finance, Sustainable Growth and Green Economy,” convened policymakers, climate experts, state governments and development partners to deliberate on strategies for balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability across the continent.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, Omotenioye said Africa faces a unique challenge of pursuing rapid industrial growth while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions—an energy transition that many developed economies did not confront during their own industrialisation phases.

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“Africa stands at a pivotal moment in the history of global development. Ours is the youngest continent on earth, rich in resources, innovation and human potential, yet hundreds of millions still live without reliable access to modern energy,” she said.

She stressed that the central challenge is not whether Africa should decarbonise, but how the continent can simultaneously achieve industrial growth, energy security and economic prosperity while advancing the global climate agenda.

Omotenioye noted that replacing coal and heavy fuel oil with natural gas could cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50 per cent while also improving air quality.
“With over 600 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, Nigeria has the resources to support industrial growth while contributing to global climate objectives,” she added.

She further disclosed that Nigeria recently launched a national framework aimed at decarbonising the country’s oil and gas value chain, covering upstream, midstream and downstream operations.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, emphasised the importance of sub-national governments in Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy, describing decarbonisation as an urgent global priority.

He said the transition must ensure that vulnerable and rural communities become key beneficiaries of clean energy access while attracting green investment into the state.

Meanwhile, Niger State emerged as the second sub-national government, after Benue State, to sign a clean energy agreement with Greenplinth Africa during the conference.

The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change in Niger State, Abubakar Musa, alongside the Director-General of the Niger State Agency for Green Initiatives, Daniel Galadima, said the initiative would help address poverty, boost household incomes and support climate action in the state.

Similarly, Muhammed Gudi, who represented the government of Nasarawa State, said the state was ready to support the initiative through land provision and enabling policies to promote green investment and job creation.

In recognition of its early commitment to the programme, the Lagos State Government was honoured by Greenplinth Africa as the first sub-national government to sign a memorandum of understanding with the organisation on clean energy collaboration.