Stakeholders at the maiden World Decarbonization Summit 2025 in Abuja have called for collective efforts to reduce carbon emissions in order to protect public health, mitigate environmental hazards, and accelerate Africa’s role in the global energy transition.
The two-day summit, themed “Accelerating Decarbonization for a Climate-Secure Future,” emphasized that beyond declarations, the focus must be on actionable strategies, alliances, and solutions that promote renewable energy access, climate justice, and inclusive leadership.
Speakers underscored Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change, noting the country’s dependence on fossil fuels amid worsening impacts such as severe flooding, desertification, and urban air pollution linked to gas flaring and generator use.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment in the FCT, stressed that climate change requires sustained awareness and action. She identified vehicles, generators, fossil fuel combustion, and open burning as major emission sources, while urging investment in renewable alternatives like solar and battery technologies. She further highlighted the pivotal role of women and the media in driving behavioral change and spreading climate awareness at community and household levels.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Tolu Longe, National President of Women in Energy, Oil & Gas, framed decarbonization as both a technology and power shift. She challenged Africa to move beyond being a resource exporter to becoming a leader in renewable energy innovation and decentralized energy access.
Summit Chairperson, Mrs. Toyin Yusuf, called for policy frameworks that balance energy security with sustainability while ensuring women are actively included in shaping Nigeria’s energy transition. Similarly, Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, disclosed that a bill seeking tougher penalties for gas flaring and compensation for affected communities is under consideration at the National Assembly.
The summit reinforced the urgency of transitioning from an oil-dependent economy to a climate-resilient future, with stakeholders agreeing that collective responsibility—across government, industry, media, and communities—is critical to achieving meaningful progress.
