President of the Global Legislators Organisation for Better Environment (GLOBE) Legislators International Rt Hon. Sam Onuigbo said Nigeria has achieved major milestones in energy transition and climate sustainability under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also noted the commendable focused attention of the governors of Nasarawa Lagos Kaduna Katsina and Borno states on energy transition and carbon market initiatives saying that if subnational governments emulate the Federal Government’s concerted actions Nigeria would emerge as a leading voice in environmental sustainability.
Onuigbo who is also the sponsor of Nigeria’s signature climate change law made the remarks while being honoured with Fellowship of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (FSESN) in recognition of his contributions to Climate Change action and advocacy.
Onuigbo was honoured alongside other eminent Nigerians at the 43rd National Solar Energy Forum/Conference also known as NASEF 2026 held amid the country’s efforts to tackle energy accessibility challenges by turning to renewable energy sources including solar power Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.
In his thank-you speech at the African University of Science and Technology Abuja Onuigbo said the fellowship was not merely recognition of past contributions but also a call to greater responsibility in advancing climate action and clean energy development.
He said ‘I consider this Fellowship not only a recognition of past contributions but also a call to greater responsibility. I also affirm my commitment to deepening my engagement with society and supporting initiatives that would expand solar energy adoption strengthen climate governance and unlock the environmental economic and social benefits of the clean energy transition.’
Onuigbo also a former two-term member of the National Assembly said he would translate climate legislation into practical action accelerating Nigeria’s energy transition and advancing the pathway to net-zero emissions.
Describing solar power as central to the transition the GLOBE President cited its potential to extend electricity access to underserved and unserved communities stimulate green industrialisation create jobs and reduce carbon emissions.
‘The shift to clean energy he stated should not be viewed only as an environmental necessity but also as an economic opportunity and a responsibility to future generations.
‘Solar energy is central to this transition. Its potential to expand energy access to underserved and unserved drive green industrialisation create jobs and reduce carbon emissions makes it indispensable to a sustainable future.’
He praised President Tinubu for the courage to assent to the Electricity Act 2023 explaining that the Act’s extensive provisions for renewable energy and its liberalisation of access to electricity generation and distribution by subnational governments have led to 16 states having their own electricity regulatory authorities.
He maintained that President Tinubu should be credited with the World Bank-funded DARES (Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up) initiative which is the country’s most ambitious distributed energy initiative.
‘Indeed President Tinubu deserves kudos because through this initiative 17.5million Nigerians will gain access to electricity by deploying thousands of mini-grids across the country’ the honoree stated noting that the Rural Electrification Agency is implementing the World Bank-funded project.
On the giant steps by the Nasarawa State Government the former lawmaker commended Engineer Abdullahi Sule for displaying great insight and ingenuity in mainstreaming the state’s potential into a global destination for energy transition by creating the enabling environment for the establishment of lithium processing plants in his state.
He noted that such forward-looking initiatives and support advance the need to turn Nigeria’s climate commitments and immense critical minerals potential into tangible benefits through wider access to clean energy and sustainable development.
President of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) Dr Sunny Akpoyibo in a note of appreciation commended Onuigbo for his strong voice and initiatives in advancing climate action not only in Nigeria but also across the African continent and the world.
Hammering on Onuigbo’s determined struggle to birth Nigeria’s Climate Change Act of 2021 Akpoyibo stated: ‘The Climate Change Act 2021 established a legal and institutional framework for climate governance in Nigeria.
‘That legislation provides critical safeguards for climate action across various sectors of the economy while advancing the country’s commitment to climate resilience low-carbon development and the transition to net-zero emissions.
‘Further the Act recognises the importance of clean and renewable energy in achieving these objectives reinforcing the need for increased investment in and adoption of solar power to address Nigeria’s energy challenges.’