Stakeholders across Nigeria’s public and private sectors have called for stronger collaboration and increased financing to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and cleaner production practices within the country’s industrial sector.
The appeal was made on Monday during a project-specific interactive session and Efficiency Champions Competition held in Abuja under the Global Environment Facility–United Nations Industrial Development Organization (GEF-UNIDO) Industrial Energy Efficiency and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production initiative.
The event convened representatives from industry, financial institutions, non-governmental organisations, policy circles, and the media to assess progress made under the initiative and explore pathways for scaling sustainable industrial practices nationwide.
Speakers at the session underscored the critical role of energy efficiency and waste reduction in lowering production costs, enhancing industrial competitiveness, and promoting environmentally responsible manufacturing.
In his opening remarks, the project leadership highlighted notable achievements recorded in advancing industrial energy efficiency and resource-efficient production across Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
The National Project Coordinator of the GEF-UNIDO Industrial Energy Efficiency and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Project, Mr. Jacob Oladipo, said the initiative has supported capacity-building programmes, cleaner production assessments, policy engagement, and innovative financing mechanisms aimed at reducing energy consumption while improving productivity.
He noted that the project has demonstrated that sustainable industrial practices are not only environmentally sound but also economically advantageous for businesses.
The session also provided a platform for stakeholders to review project outcomes and identify lessons to support the broader adoption of energy-efficient technologies and cleaner production systems across industries.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Kunle Fadare described the initiative as both timely and strategic for Nigeria’s industrial development.
He observed that the industrial sector accounts for over 30 per cent of Nigeria’s total energy consumption, yet operates below optimal efficiency levels. According to him, studies indicate that improvements in energy efficiency could yield savings of between 20 and 40 per cent in energy use, translating into reduced production costs, improved competitiveness, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Fadare also drew attention to the environmental impact of industrial waste, noting that Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, with a significant share originating from industrial activities. He stressed that adopting resource-efficient and cleaner production practices would help reduce waste and enhance long-term business sustainability.
He commended the Efficiency Champions Competition as a vital platform for recognising companies implementing sustainable production practices, adding that it would encourage wider adoption of energy-efficient technologies across industries.
Highlighting global trends, Fadare noted that international markets are increasingly favouring environmentally responsible production systems, urging Nigerian businesses to proactively align with sustainability standards to remain competitive.
Also speaking, the Global Environment Facility Desk Officer commended the collaboration among stakeholders involved in implementing the project, acknowledging the technical support provided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the role of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in facilitating implementation.
The official also recognised the contributions of relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, including the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, in advancing the initiative’s objectives.
According to the desk officer, the session was designed to enable stakeholders to examine emerging issues in industrial energy use, share experiences, address challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement.
The official emphasised that achieving sustainable economic growth requires robust collaboration among government, industry, development partners, and civil society, urging participants to contribute actionable insights to strengthen implementation.
Representatives of the organised private sector stressed the need to scale up financing mechanisms to support industries adopting energy-efficient technologies. While acknowledging progress made through innovative financing models and technical assistance programmes, they noted that broader adoption would depend on increased investment, stronger policy backing, and sustained capacity building—particularly for small and medium enterprises.
Stakeholders agreed that continued engagement of the private sector, civil society, and the media would be essential to sustaining momentum, with emphasis placed on awareness creation, knowledge sharing, and policy advocacy.
Participants expressed optimism that enhanced collaboration would accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a more efficient, competitive, and environmentally sustainable industrial sector.
