Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has listed Nigeria’s expected gains from gas reserves
He said that the use of gas as a transition fuel would not only help in stemming deforestation but would also advance Nigeria’s broader development goals, especially because the country has one of the largest gas reserves in the world.
A release issued by the Spokesman for the Vice President, Laolu Akande said Prof. Osinbajo added that similar benefits would accrue to other developing countries as the adoption of gas as a transition fuel boost their economies.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this when he received at the Presidential Villa, the US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, Mr John Kerry, who was on a working visit to Nigeria.
Prior to his meeting with the VP, Mr Kerry had also met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Akande said the Vice President highlighted the need for Nigeria to continue the exploration and use of gas as a way of arresting deforestation, transiting away from dirtier fuels like diesel, kerosene and petrol, while at the same time ensuring that the country has the necessary energy baseload for industrialization.
“Pointing out that Nigeria has one of the largest gas reserves in the world and should benefit from its exploitation, the VP also highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which is the first in Africa.
“In addition to a review of the Energy Transition Plan, including a discussion about its implementation, both the Vice President and Mr Kerry also discussed the issues of renewable energy sources and the global transition.”
According to Akande, Mr Kerry commended the Energy Transition Plan and the efforts already being made in Nigeria to step up the use of renewables, especially solar and hydropower, as major components of the energy mix.
While acknowledging that Nigeria ought to benefit from its gas reserves, Mr Kerry called for more rapid adoption of renewables, especially electric vehicles, which are certainly the next wave in auto manufacturing.
He observed that the technology of renewables keeps improving daily adding that batteries are already in production which lasts far more than those that are now in the market.
Upon a request by the Vice President, the Special Envoy promised to assist Nigeria with the necessary expertise to scientifically determine the most appropriate energy mix that would move the country toward the goal of energy for all by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2060, without compromising the country’s energy security.
The US Special Envoy also affirmed the readiness of the US Government to assist Nigeria in a bilateral partnership to realize its Climate Change adaptation and resilience capacity, thereby consolidating the nation’s place as a model for other countries on the planet.
He added that he looked forward to Nigeria presenting an inspiring position, which will no doubt attract all necessary global support at the upcoming COP 27 in Egypt later in the year.
Mr Kerry who was accompanied by other US officials including the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Beth Leonard, praised the VP’s leadership in urging the global community towards a just transition and coordinating Nigeria’s efforts on the climate change agenda.
It would be recalled that Prof. Osinbajo had discussed the Energy Transition Plan during his recent visit to Washington D.C., where the VP met with his American counterpart, VP Kamala Harris at the White House, among other top US government officials.
Before the recent US trip, the Nigerian Government had launched the Energy Transition Plan at a global virtual event.
PIAK
