Nigeria Lawmakers Back Urgent Shift Toward Low-Carbon Economy Transition
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Nigeria House of Representatives
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s House of Representatives pledges strong legislative backing for the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy, warning that climate change already threatens national development.
The commitment emerges during a roundtable on the Mandatory National Decarbonisation Programme held in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Rep. Muktar Shagaya, says climate change is no longer a distant threat but an immediate national challenge.
“Climate change is real, and its impact is no longer something we will face in the future—it is already here,” Abbas says.
He highlights severe climate impacts across Nigeria, including droughts in the north, heatwaves in the west, flooding and erosion in the east, and irregular rainfall in the south.
The Speaker warns that failure to act could cause major economic damage.
According to United Nations projections cited during the meeting, Nigeria could lose up to 30 percent of its GDP—about $460 billion—by 2050 if climate action is delayed.
Olamide Fagboji, Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations, says the Tinubu administration remains committed to accelerating Nigeria’s green transition.
The Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Mandatory Decarbonisation, Rep. Sesi Whingan, urges swift implementation of key climate policies.
These include establishing a national carbon registry, enforcing mandatory emissions reporting and introducing phased compliance for companies.
Whingan also highlights federal initiatives such as the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions and the planned Evergreen City, Nigeria’s first green industrial zone dedicated to renewable energy manufacturing.
Lawmakers say these measures could unlock new economic opportunities while helping Nigeria meet global climate targets.
Experts warn that decisive policy action will determine whether Africa’s largest economy can balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Chukwu Obinna 
Koko Maxwella 
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