The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the US Government for support on energy transition and an equitable balance between fossil fuel and green energy.
This call was made by President Bola Tinubu on Monday during a meeting with United States Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Energy Resources, Geoffrey Praytt at the State House, Abuja.
He urged the United States and other developed nations not to forget Nigeria and Africa’s challenge with poverty as the world transitions into clean energy.
“The new energy we are talking about represents just 5 per cent of global energy requirements. We must find the right balance between new energy and fossil fuel because we have the problem of poverty in Africa.”
President Tinubu presented his perspectives to the US delegation on the role of Nigeria as an oil-producing country and the importance of revenue from fossil oil to national economic well-being.
He said, “Nigeria is an oil-producing nation and a developing economy that needs revenue from fossil fuel for growth and development.” He maintained that the country will honour all its obligations to climate change and its quest for clean energy.
On the nexus between the problem of poverty in Africa and the fragility of democracy on the continent, President Tinubu admonished the United States to work with Nigeria to protect the government of the people.
The president also noted that Nigeria needs funding support to help her drive and accelerate her energy diversification saying “There are bottlenecks that must be unbottled in terms of how the US bureaucracy responds to our needs. Help must be given when it is needed.”
“We are ready to learn and develop to join the 21st century economy. Please take it home that we need help and very quickly too. I am honoured with your recognition of the baby steps we have taken so far. I want to assure you that Nigeria will honour her obligations on climate change and renewables,” the President added.
In his remarks, Ambassador Praytt lauds the bold economic initiatives already taken by Tinubu with respect to fuel subsidy removal and unification of multiple foreign exchange rates.
He said, “We are opening a new page in US relations with Nigeria. Nigeria is taking important steps in growing renewable energy to meet the need of her citizens. We are very happy with our work with NNPCL and your team. Your new Special Adviser on Energy is already doing very well.”