
Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
To help consolidate efforts towards energy transition in Nigeria and the African continent, the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (NAEE) is galvanizing support towards energy transition, and how to chart a path forward.
The President of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (NAEE), Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, while speaking at the ongoing NAEE 2023 Conference on Monday said that achieving net zero is a possibility and Nigeria has no alternative to energy transition.
NAEE, an affiliate of the International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE), commenced its 16th annual International Conference with the theme, ‘Energy Evolution, Transition, and Reform: Prospects for African Economies’ at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Tower in Abuja.
Lat year, the Nigerian Government launched the Energy Transition Plan to tackle the dual crises of energy poverty and climate change and reach net-zero status by 2060, while also providing energy for development, industrialization, and economic growth.
According to Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, “transition must include the supply of enough energy to power the industrial revolution that is needed to put us on the path to true economic and sustainable development. We have to choose our own pathways. During NAEE 2023, I trust that we will be able to proffer solutions that will aid the energy transition for Nigeria and other African countries.”
President of the IAEE, Prof. Jean-Michael Glachant, who was represented by Prof. Wumi Illadare, said that energy transition is real and is dynamic adding that Africa must walk the energy transition path methodologically.
Prof. Abubakar Sambo, who was the distinguished guest of honor at the event, while also giving his remarks, stated that Nigeria was going to have a lot more gas, advising that the country follow the doorstep of Saudi Arabia. He urged NAEE to take the carbon capture issue seriously.
In his remarks as the Chief Host of the event, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr. Bello Gusau, highlighted the Fund’s achievements in various states in Nigeria so far. He said that they have changed not only facilities but also lecturers in various facilities in order to make Nigeria a good place for people to school instead of constantly sending students abroad.