The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has convened a high-level policy dialogue with members of the National Assembly to discuss Nigeria’s transition away from fossil fuels, the shift to clean energy, and the fiscal reforms needed to build a low-carbon economy.
The forum, held in Lagos, brought together lawmakers, civil society groups, and policy experts to assess the country’s energy transition priorities, climate governance framework, and how economic benefits can be equitably shared in a post-fossil-fuel era.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas represented by Hon. Akin Rotimi described the dialogue as timely and aligned with the National Assembly’s 2023–2027 Legislative Agenda. He highlighted key parliamentary commitments such as strengthening NESREA, enforcing the Climate Change Act, scaling up renewable energy adoption, reducing gas flaring, and restoring environmentally degraded communities.
Abbas also emphasised that Parliament will be central to designing fiscal tools that attract renewable energy investments while safeguarding workers whose livelihoods depend on traditional energy sectors. “The transition must empower, not exclude,” he noted.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Dieter Bassi outlined the global climate governance systems guiding transition policies, referencing the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. He stressed that Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate finance remain the backbone of global climate action, adding, “There is no way we can tackle climate change without climate and green financing.”
Bassi commended Nigeria’s commitment to climate action, noting the passing of the Climate Change Act, the country’s participation in COP13, and the establishment of a high-level Climate Change Council chaired by the President.
CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, said the dialogue aims to deepen climate accountability, improve natural resource governance, and strengthen Africa’s long-term energy and economic resilience.
