President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has highlighted Nigeria’s significant stride towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future, unveiling an innovative plan to deploy a fleet of 100 electric buses. The announcement came during a high-level meeting on the Nigeria Carbon Market and Electric Buses Rollout Programme in Dubai, UAE, held on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.
In a statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu emphasized the strategic nature of the initiative. The aim is to markedly reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint and modernize its transportation systems. This initiative is part of a broader effort to position Nigeria and Africa as leaders in green manufacturing and industrialization, emphasizing natural gas as a transitional fuel alongside other renewable sources.
To lead this transformative plan, President Tinubu appointed Mr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and Mr. Dahiru Salisu, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, as co-chairs of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan.
President Tinubu stated, “This initiative stands as a testament to our dedication to environmental stewardship, as exemplified through our collaboration with the Africa Carbon Market Initiative. Our visionary plan guides Nigeria to become an investment-friendly destination for carbon market investments.”
Acknowledging the importance of fostering an environment attracting investments and upholding sustainable practices, he expressed the commitment to implementing robust policies and frameworks to catalyze the growth of the carbon market nationally.
President Tinubu assured prospective investors that this initiative goes beyond being a pilot project, emphasizing its role in achieving a carbon-neutral future. He declared, “This is only the commencement of our ambitious plans, with many more impactful initiatives on the horizon.”
Highlighting the need for global collaboration on climate-related challenges, President Tinubu called on nations to follow Africa’s lead in mapping out sustainable futures. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to being an active participant in international efforts.
FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji commended President Tinubu’s visionary leadership, pledging the committee’s full commitment to implementing efficient policies for sustainable carbon market growth. Adedeji emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to lead global efforts against climate change, presenting the electric buses as a tangible symbol of modernizing transportation while reducing Africa’s carbon footprint.
“In the immediate term, Nigeria will proudly unveil a series of innovative, clean, modern, and sustainable initiatives. These initiatives aim to address climate change challenges and position Nigeria as an attractive destination for global investments,” Adedeji affirmed, highlighting the nation’s business-friendly environment and policy frameworks.
