Hon. Chibuike Emmanuel Hails Speaker Tajudeen on First Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy

Hon. Chibuike Emmanuel E. Special Adviser to Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has congratulated his principal on his numerous achievements since assumption of office as the Speaker of the 10th Assembly, saying his record of performance so far has been quite remarkable.

He also said it is the milestones achieved in the last two years that culminated into the first National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy in Nigeria, noting that the Speaker's visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing renewable energy in Nigeria is yielding huge result. 

In a statement on Tuesday, the Speaker's aide said the leader of the House has through his dedication created an enabling legislative framework for renewable energy, standing as a major step toward a sustainable future for our great nation.

"It is particularly worthy of note that Mr. Speaker pioneered the establishment of the House Committee on Renewable Energy in the 10th National Assembly—an initiative that has now culminated in this landmark event: The First National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy in Nigeria.

"I also applaud the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their collaborative efforts with the House of Representatives on this critical initiative. Their partnership reaffirms their steadfast commitment to supporting Nigeria's renewable energy transition and environmental sustainability", he stated. 

Hon. Chibuike Emmanuel also expressed appreciation to Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, for his resolute leadership and tireless efforts in ensuring the successful organization of the historic conference.

"As we gather to chart a sustainable path forward, it's imperative to reflect on the current state of energy utilization in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2024, over 595.1 million standard cubic feet of natural gas—valued at approximately $1.9 billion—was flared across nine states. In the first half of 2024 alone, an estimated 148.7 million standard cubic feet of gas was flared. This volume of gas could have generated over 3,400 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power more than 3.4 million Nigerian homes", he stated. 

He noted that in 2024, Nigeria recorded its highest gas flaring volume in four years, with about 300.5 million standard cubic feet flared—valued at $1.1 billion, resulting in approximately 16 million tonnes of carbon emissions. 

These figures he said not only represent a significant economic loss but also a profound environmental threat, contributing to air pollution and accelerating climate change.

He therefore urged all stakeholders in the energy sector to actively transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biogas. 

This evolution he said demands both public and private sector investment in green infrastructure, stating that the legislative arm of government stands ready to provide the enabling laws and policies needed to ease business operations, enhance integration, and reduce energy costs for the average Nigerian.

"As we move forward, let us embrace this opportunity to reimagine Nigeria’s energy future—one that is clean, sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial to all", he said.