President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for global cooperation to address climate change and foster sustainable development.
Speaking on Wednesday at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, on the theme “From Climate Imperatives to Economic Prosperity: Linking Africa to the Global Energy Future”, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with the international community to build a resilient, equitable and sustainable future for all.
“No nation can walk the path to sustainability alone,” declared President Tinubu, highlighting the importance of collective action, knowledge sharing and mutual support to address the pressing challenges of our interconnected world.
The president framed the fight against climate change as more than just an environmental obligation: it is a global economic opportunity to reshape Africa's trajectory and the broader energy landscape.
“As leaders, stakeholders and citizens of our planet, we find ourselves at a critical moment in human history. To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate and act decisively as a global community,” he said.
President Tinubu outlined Nigeria's three-pillar strategy for sustainability: energy transition, climate resilience and sustainable development.
He noted that his administration is advancing viable programs aligned with international expectations while addressing the unique economic and political realities of Nigeria.
Nigeria is transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, diversifying its energy mix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
These efforts include developing infrastructure for widespread use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, while harnessing solid minerals to support the transition to green energy.
The President highlighted initiatives such as the National Clean Cooking Policy, which promotes clean energy and improves socioeconomic development. Additionally, climate-smart agricultural practices are being implemented to boost food security while mitigating environmental impacts.
Local communities are also key partners in addressing environmental challenges such as deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding and pollution – threats that endanger millions of livelihoods. President Tinubu called for international collaboration to mobilize resources, embrace innovation and deploy technology to address these pressing issues.
“To promote a green economy in Africa, we must integrate sustainable practices into all sectors of our economies,” the president urged.
He noted that achieving these goals requires significant investments and called on partner countries, multinational organizations, development agencies and private investors to join Nigeria in the pursuit of a sustainable, prosperous and equitable future.
Nigeria's leadership in green financing was also highlighted.
The country became the first in Africa to issue sovereign green bonds to finance green projects and its third issuance is currently underway. “We urge investors to partner with us in this regard. Our administration remains committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
President Tinubu underscored Nigeria's readiness to adopt advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and precision agriculture, to maximize the potential of its arable lands and address environmental challenges.
By partnering with world leaders, he said, Nigeria is exploring innovative solutions to drive sustainable development.
President Tinubu praised UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for his leadership in organizing the event, which brought together world leaders to exchange perspectives on collective solutions to global challenges.
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