President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, addressed a global audience in the United Arab Emirates, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to collaborating with other nations to create a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
Speaking during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, President Tinubu participated in a session titled “From Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity: Bridging Africa with the Global Energy Future.”
The president emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing sustainability challenges, noting that no country can navigate the path to sustainability on its own. He highlighted the need for global interconnectedness, collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge and resources to achieve shared goals.
“The fight against climate change is not merely an environmental necessity but a global economic opportunity to reshape the trajectory of our continent and the global energy landscape.
“As leaders, stakeholders and citizens of our planet, we stand at a critical juncture in human history. To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate and act decisively as one global community,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions, President Tinubu assured the audience that the Nigerian government has implemented actionable programs aligned with global standards while carefully considering the nation’s economic and political priorities.
“We have embraced a vision of sustainability that aligns with global aspirations while addressing local realities. Our efforts are anchored on three pillars: Energy Transition, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Development. My administration recognises the importance of reducing carbon emissions and a just transition to clean and renewable energy, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.
“Our energy transition plans, like many nations, are aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing dependency on fossil fuels, prioritising the transition to cleaner energy sources as a cornerstone of our national development strategy.”
President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to support the green energy transition by developing infrastructure for the widespread adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, as well as tapping into the potential of solid minerals.
He emphasised that the government is implementing climate-smart agricultural practices aimed at improving food security while minimising environmental harm. As part of this initiative, the administration has introduced the National Clean Cooking Policy, designed to promote clean energy, enhance environmental and health outcomes, and foster socio-economic growth across Africa.
The president also underscored the government’s collaboration with local communities to address environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding, and pollution, which jeopardise the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
Calling for international cooperation, President Tinubu urged partner countries to work together in mobilising resources to confront these issues, while leveraging innovation and technology to create sustainable solutions.
“To promote a Green Economy in Africa, we must focus on integrating sustainable practices in all sectors of our economy. These investments are capital intensive and require international support from partner countries, including multinational organisations, development partners and individuals who share our vision of a sustainable, prosperous and equitable future”, he said
According to the President, “Nigeria became the first country in Africa to initiate funding of green projects through Sovereign Green Bond proceeds, the third issuance of which is in progress. We urge investors to partner with us in this regard. Our administration remains committed to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria.
“By partnering with global leaders and harnessing the power of technology, we are finding new and innovative ways to address our environmental challenges. We have arable agricultural lands for advanced technological farming, including a bright future for Artificial Intelligence.”
President Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for extending the invitation and demonstrating remarkable foresight in organising the event.
He highlighted the significance of the gathering, which convened world leaders to share insights and perspectives on addressing the pressing global challenges of our era through collective action.
Watch him speak below.
