Nigeria has steadily positioned itself as a climate leader in Africa with a suite of policies that aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. From the Renewable Energy Master Plan in 2005 to the Energy Transition Plan and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy released in the last few years, the country has developed a strong framework for action. The real question today is not whether the policies exist but whether they can be implemented in a way that delivers results for citizens, investors and the planet. The landscape of zero emission policy in Nigeria is broad and cuts across the power sector, oil and gas, transport, agriculture and forestry, and waste management. Each of these sectors carries unique opportunities and challenges. Together they form the foundation on which Nigeria’s climate ambition rests.
Power sector
The power sector is the heart of the Energy Transition Plan. It envisions scaling up renewable energy while simultaneously expanding access for the millions of Nigerians who still lack reliable electricity. Specific targets include achieving universal access by 2030 and aligning the generation mix with the net zero pathway by 2060. Solar and hydro projects are expected to play leading roles. Implementation has started with off-grid solar projects and new independent power projects. The Energy Transition Office is operational and investor engagement is rising. Yet systemic challenges remain. The grid is weak and distribution losses are high. Regulatory reforms are slow and financing remains scarce. Addressing these barriers requires innovative finance solutions, stronger public private partnerships and a focused effort to modernize the grid.
Oil and gas
Oil and gas is Nigeria’s largest revenue earner and also the biggest obstacle to rapid decarbonisation. The Climate Change Act and recent regulations by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission have introduced new requirements. Licence applicants must now demonstrate credible decarbonisation strategies and methane management plans. The government has also reiterated the target of ending routine gas flaring by 2030. These moves are important signals. They show that Nigeria is beginning to link investment in hydrocarbons to the broader net zero goal. However enforcement has historically been weak. Operators often struggle to comply with guidelines and monitoring capacity is thin. The top barriers are legacy infrastructure that locks in emissions, gaps in technology for flare capture, and the need for consistent enforcement. If Nigeria can strengthen oversight and align incentives, the sector can gradually shift from a liability to a source of cleaner energy through gas as a transition fuel.
Transport
The transport sector is only beginning its journey. The Energy Transition Plan outlines a future in which electric vehicles, efficient public transport, and cleaner fuels reduce emissions significantly. Pilot projects are underway for electric buses and charging infrastructure. Yet adoption remains limited. The barriers are easy to identify. Electric vehicle infrastructure is almost non-existent. Import costs are high and fiscal incentives are weak. The transport system is dominated by an informal sector that is difficult to formalize or regulate. For progress to be visible Nigeria will need targeted incentives, local assembly and a strong focus on affordable public transport solutions in cities.
Agriculture, forestry and land use
Nigeria’s vast forests and agricultural lands are central to climate mitigation. Policies under the Nationally Determined Contributions and the Climate Change Act emphasize afforestation, reforestation and sustainable farming. REDD plus readiness programs have been launched and land restoration features prominently in the Long-Term Strategy. Despite progress the sector faces major hurdles. Land tenure systems are unclear and land use conflicts are common. Finance for large-scale restoration is limited and monitoring systems are weak. A stronger focus on community-based forestry and integration of smallholder farmers into climate finance mechanisms could unlock potential.
Waste management
Waste is often overlooked but it contributes meaningfully to methane emissions. The Energy Transition Plan and the updated NDCs include measures to capture landfill gas, expand waste-to-energy and promote recycling. On the ground waste management is mostly handled by local governments with limited resources. Recycling infrastructure is scarce and landfill methane capture is rare. The informal waste sector plays a role but is not integrated into official systems. Overcoming these barriers requires investment in municipal services, public private partnerships for recycling and technology transfer for waste-to-energy.
What Need to Be Done
Nigeria has set out an ambitious agenda. The combination of the Climate Change Act, the Energy Transition Plan, the Long-Term Strategy and updated NDCs offers a clear policy direction. The challenge now is to move from ambition to implementation. That will require significant international finance, robust domestic reforms, and unwavering political commitment.
The country is already sending strong signals through regulatory changes such as decarbonisation requirements for oil licences and the activation of carbon market policies. These moves can attract investment if they are enforced consistently. At the same time Nigeria must accelerate renewable deployment, modernize the grid, provide credible incentives for clean transport and build capacity in forestry and waste management.
Nigeria has always been a country of immense potential. In the context of climate action that potential is about more than emissions. It is about creating millions of jobs in renewable energy, building cleaner cities, restoring degraded lands and positioning the nation as a continental leader in the net zero economy. The frameworks are now in place. What matters is whether implementation will match the ambition.
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