Nigeria’s increasing commitment to fossil fuels amid climate crises exemplifies a contradiction to its international pledges for energy transition. The focus on oil refineries like Dangote’s reveals an entrenched dependency, compromising both its economy and environmental health. Recent disasters highlight the urgent need for reevaluation and alignment with global trends favoring renewable energy solutions.
Nigeria finds itself at a critical juncture as it remains steadfast in its commitment to fossil fuels, despite the grave implications for both its economy and the environment. The recent fervor surrounding the Dangote Refinery, alongside the government’s initiative to license additional private oil refineries and pursue new hydrocarbon exploration, epitomizes this unwavering dedication. This trajectory poses significant existential threats to the nation’s future stability, as Nigeria continues to solidify its status as a hydrocarbon-dependent country while merely paying lip service to the ideals of energy transition. Despite Nigeria having signed global agreements at the United Nations climate summits, its actions starkly contradict its stated commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuel systems. Notably, it participated in COP28 with over 200 countries pledging to shift away from fossil fuels by 2050 and to enhance renewable energy capacity significantly by 2030. However, Nigeria’s practice of “both-wayism,” as described by The Economist, illustrates its contradictory stance—on one hand, it accepts the necessity of addressing climate change, while on the other, it remains entangled in fossil fuel dependence. The effects of climate change are conspicuous in Nigeria’s environment, with instances of desertification, flooding, and pollution. The recent devastating floods in Maiduguri, which displaced approximately 400,000 individuals, serve as a harrowing reminder of the climate crisis’s immediate realities. Notably, then-President Buhari had remarked, “For Nigeria, climate change is not about the perils of tomorrow, but what is happening today.” Further, President Bola Tinubu’s remarks in the aftermath of these floods raise concerns about genuine commitment to addressing climate change, especially given his past dismissive comments on the subject. President Tinubu’s administration has yet to produce substantial measures that reflect a serious commitment to climate action beyond the formation of committees and appointments. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2018, which compels the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to allocate a significant portion of profits to further oil exploration, underscores Nigeria’s misalignment with global climate goals. This paradox highlights the difficulty in claiming to combat climate change while simultaneously expanding fossil fuel exploration. Indeed, as major oil-consuming nations like China and the United States shift towards renewable energy solutions, Nigeria’s reluctance to transition is particularly disconcerting. For instance, while developed countries are closing oil refineries, Nigeria continues to celebrate new developments like the Dangote Refinery, which threatens to perpetuate its fossil fuel dependency. Moreover, while the global consensus moves towards an energy transition, Nigeria remains burdened by a reliance on traditional petroleum products, thereby resisting the changing tides of energy consumption. In summary, Nigeria’s two-fold crises—an imminent economic downturn fueled by a global shift away from crude oil coupled with a diminishing interest from Western investors in its fossil fuel sector—pose significant challenges. The prospects for the Dangote Refinery are also in question amidst rising pressures for greener alternatives in energy production. As such, Nigeria must critically evaluate its future energy strategies to align with the inevitable energy transition and avoid becoming a relic of a bygone petrostate era.
The article addresses Nigeria’s deepening commitment to fossil fuels amidst increasing climate crisis challenges. It reflects on the country’s current economic dependency on oil and gas and the stark contradictions between its international climate commitments and domestic energy policies. The specifics of recent climate disasters and government responses are evaluated, in addition to the global trend of moving away from fossil fuels, in which Nigeria is notably lagging behind. The sentiments surrounding the Dangote Refinery serve as a focal point in discussions regarding Nigeria’s future energy policies and its ability to adapt to the changing global landscape.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s steadfast adherence to fossil fuels, epitomized by its actions surrounding the Dangote Refinery and new hydrocarbon explorations, stands in stark contrast to its international climate commitments. This inconsistency threatens not only its environmental integrity but also its economic future amid a global pivot towards renewable energy. To secure a sustainable future, it is imperative that Nigeria reevaluates and aligns its energy policies with the pressing global transition toward greener technologies.
Original Source: businessday.ng
