In a bid to tackle the pressing issue of methane emissions in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, has announced a proactive strategy. Speaking at the national stakeholders engagement meeting on methane mitigation and reduction in Abuja, Salako revealed plans for the periodic review of international and indigenous oil companies’ strategies to end routine gas flaring by 2030, conducted through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with significant warming potential, poses a grave threat to both current and future generations, as well as climate protection objectives. Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, Salako emphasized the importance of reducing methane emissions, particularly in the oil and gas sector, to bolster climate action and unlock various benefits for public health, food security, and economic development.
Salako outlined practical steps being taken to tackle methane emissions in Nigeria, including the collaborative development of methane guidelines by government institutions. Moreover, he highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to embark on methane reduction projects to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. He expressed optimism about initiatives such as the “Project Methane Mitigation and Reduction in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector,” launched during the event, as crucial steps towards fulfilling these commitments.
The national stakeholders engagement event served as a platform for discussions on the complexities of methane mitigation and reduction within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Presentations provided insights into existing policies, implementation strategies, and key stakeholders involved in these efforts. Salako reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action in alignment with multilateral environmental agreements.
Mahmud Kambari, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, emphasized the importance of addressing methane emissions due to the high stakes and opportunities involved in the oil and gas industry. He urged collective efforts to drive sustainable development, foster economic growth, and enhance energy security in Nigeria and beyond.
In his remarks, Dr. Olumide Abimbola, Executive Director of the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI), highlighted the urgent need to tackle methane emissions’ impacts on climate and the environment. APRI, in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, has launched a project focused on methane mitigation and reduction within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This project, funded by the Government of Canada, aims to align with Nigeria’s climate action commitments and unlock co-benefits for public health, food security, and economic development.
Today’s event marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to address methane emissions, providing a platform for stakeholders to collaborate and chart a unified course towards sustainable methane mitigation and reduction. Through constructive dialogue and collaboration, the goal is to identify challenges, explore opportunities, and pave the way for effective and sustained action.
