By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has cautioned that the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, though inevitable, could worsen energy poverty in Nigeria if not properly managed.
Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, issued the warning on Tuesday at a CEO/Media Roundtable in Abuja, while presenting an interim report on the impacts of energy transition. He noted that about 86 million Nigerians still lack reliable electricity, adding that a poorly handled transition could deepen the crisis.
“The transition is not an option; it’s inevitable. But if not properly managed, it could double the existing energy poverty in the country,” Orji said.
He explained that the study, supported by the Ford Foundation, will guide reforms, track emissions, assess stranded assets, and push for environmental accountability. Orji also urged media, civil society, industry players, and development partners to play active roles in ensuring a just transition.
NEITI further stressed the need for equal access to global climate finance and technology transfer to enable resource-dependent economies like Nigeria to fund their transition.
