Nigeria is demonstrating commitment to addressing climate change, promoting sustainable economic growth by encouraging the development of a Just Transition Guidelines for the country in line with Paris Agreement.
This commitment is manifest in the federal government’s workshop for the Development of Nigeria’s Just Transition Guidelines” in collaboration with ILO, UNDP and UNIDO.
The guidelines, according to the United Nations, would drive the transition of Nigeria to a low-carbon economy.
The workshop, is a two-day event that started on April 16 at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The National Coordinator of ILO in Nigeria, Mr. Stephen Agugua, said during the workshop that “Nigeria is committed to its international obligations, including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it aims to address climate change and promote sustainable development in the country.
“The Nigerian government has already taken significant steps towards sustainable development and climate action, such as the ongoing revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Development Plan (NDP), and the establishment of a National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) that demonstrate commitment to address climate change and promote sustainable economic growth.”
Agugua said that “the Just Transition Roadmap will build upon and align with these existing policy frameworks, providing a coherent and strategic approach to the transition of Nigeria to a low-carbon economy.
“This is also significance to the country’s workforce and labour sector, ensuring decent work, social protection, and workers’ rights are protected throughout the transition process.
“The Just Transition Action Plan will prioritise job creation, skills development, and capacity-building to facilitate the transition of vulnerable sectors from carbon-intensive industries to emerging green sectors.
It would also prioritise gender-responsive policies, recognising the unique roles, opportunities, and vulnerabilities of women in the transition process while focusing on inclusivity, considering the needs and perspectives of youth, marginalised groups, and indigenous communities, ensuring equal access to opportunities, benefits, and social protection measures.
He said that the alignment of the Just Transition Roadmap with the strategic objectives of the United Nations values emphasised the strategic partnership between the Government of Nigeria and the UN System, with the goal to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development to sustain the country drive to low-carbon economy.
He said that the development of Just Transition Roadmap has become necessary due to the dire need for Nigeria to fulfill its climate obligations, as contained in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), currently being revised.”
According to UNIDO, a just transition is not just about phasing out but also about phasing in new opportunities, technologies, and skills.
The UNIDO in its remark at the workshop, which was delivered by UNIDO Project Assistant, Ms. Christiana Obase, emphasised that the current global shift towards a low-carbon economy demands a bold action, which must be just by empowering people, protecting livelihoods, and strengthening national industries.
She said: “Just Transition in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector presents a clear example of how environmental policy must intersect with economic justice. If not carefully managed, it could lead to job displacement.
“But with the right planning, which is part of why we are here, it offers a chance to create new green jobs, enhance industrial competitiveness, and align Nigeria’s manufacturing sector with global climate goals.”
Speaking during the workshop, the Director General of the Nigeria Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said that the ongoing workshop would build on the success of the inception workshop that was held in Abuja on March 13, 2025, “to provide an opportunity to deepen discussions, refine our approach and ensure that the development of Just Transition Guideline reflects the diverse voices and realities of all stakeholders—government, private sector, labor unions, civil society, development partners, and local communities.”
Maduekwe, who was represented by an Assistant Director, NCCCS, Mr. Bala Rufai, said that “a just transition must ensure that the shift to clean energy and climate-resilient solutions does not leave any community or sector behind.
She said: “Our policies, including the Energy Transition Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Climate Change Act, and the National Development Plan, set a strong foundation for a people-centered and economy-driven transition.”
The Lead, Nigeria Economic Summit Group Climate Change Taskforce (NESG-CCT) Dr. Eugene Itua, said that the NESG recognised that achieving a just transition to a low-carbon economy is essential for Nigeria’s future.
Itua, who is also the Natural Eco Capital, said: “At NESG, we advocate for policies that ensure the benefits of this transition are equitably shared across all communities, particularly those that are marginalised.
“We are dedicated to fostering public-private dialogue, conducting impactful research, and enhancing the capacity of stakeholders to support a sustainable future.
“As we navigate the challenges ahead, let us prioritise equity and sustainability, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
The Director, Lagos Liaison Office, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Jonathan Sylvanus Dajal, said that the workshop is important because the attainment of the just transition is a shared responsibility, which would require key stakeholders to come together to develop a blue print.
Dajal also emphasised the importance of creating public awareness that would sensitise Nigerians on the effects of contemporary development issues the world faced with and make them aware of regulatory frameworks they are supposed to adhere to like the emission control system.
