Achieving Net Zero is Possible in Nigeria
Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The President of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (NAEE), Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, has said that achieving Net zero is a possibility and Nigeria has no alternative to energy transition.
Omorogbe said this at the ongoing NAEE 2023 Conference. 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.
The main event at the Conference, after its concurrent sessions, began with a welcome address by the President of NAEE, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, who said that Net zero is a possibility, and Nigeria has no alternative to energy transition.
In her own words, “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.”
The Chief Host, who is the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Dr. Bello Gusau, while giving his remarks, welcomed guests and 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.
The President of IAEE, Prof. Jean-Michael Glachant, who was represented by Prof. Wumi Illadare, said that energy transition is real, is not static, and is dynamic. He suggested that Africa walk the energy transition path methodologically, stating that he hopes more Nigerians will attend the 2023 IAEE conference coming up soon in Istanbul, Turkey.
Prof. Abubakar Sambo, who was the distinguished guest of honor at the event,
while also giving his remarks, stated that Nigeria is 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.
