The revival of Nigeria’s interest in energy transition, power, climate change and green economic solutions has raised high expectations within the extractive industries.

The recent constitution of a Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions and the appointment of focal persons was a fundamental step to redefining the country’s necessary next steps going forward.

Before this development, hopes on the way forward after the country’s participation at the Dubai Summit remained unclear to many.

The new development was therefore viewed by industry analysts as a major reinvestment of political and social capital into the global debate by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

It is noteworthy that the Presidential Committee and the appointed focal persons were handed specific mandates and responsibilities of coordinating and overseeing all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic solutions required to revive, redefine and reposition the country’s interests.

With the United Nations’ projection that Nigeria’s population will rise to about 400 million people in the next 20 years, an unprecedented increase in energy demand and the obvious pressure that will bring to bear on energy financing in developing countries, including Nigeria, the work of the Committee is both important and urgent.

The utmost importance is the urgency to review existing plans, especially in the context of understanding content, context and the comprehensive nature of the issues involved, the associated risks and the potential opportunities.

By its work and nature of operations, NEITI is equipped to support the country’s engagement in the areas of provision of access to credible information and data. This will be required to drive forward-looking analysis, underpin dialogue on policy responses as well as promote evidence-led public debate.

In addition, credible information and data are also essential in policy formulation, analysis of the legal and fiscal framework governing the extractive industries, climate change and greenhouse emissions.

Data is equally important in addressing climate change-induced environmental problems, public education and enlightenment that supports public understanding of government policies related to the energy transition agenda.

For instance, NEITI’s recent report on the oil and gas industry disclosed a total unremitted revenue of gas royalty payments of $559.8 million and another unremitted sum of $828.8 million from unpaid gas flare penalties.

A close look at these figures revealed that more gas resources were flared during the period than utilised, thereby posing serious dangers to the global zero emissions agenda and Nigeria’s commitment to the net zero emissions by 2060.

Apart from gas flaring, other major sources of dangerous emissions, massive environmental pollution and damage to the ecosystems include oil theft, illegal bunkering and refineries, pipeline vandalisation. Data from NEITI Reports between 2009 and 2021 disclosed that Nigeria lost 619.7million barrels of crude oil, valued at $46.16billion, or the equivalent of N16.25 trillion between 2009 and 2020.

In addition, Nigeria lost about 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries, valued at $1.84 billion at the rate of 140,000 barrels per day, from 2009 to 2018.

During the Ongoing Energy Week, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,  Lokpobiri Heineken has disclosed that the economic downturn confronting the country can be addressed by the oil and gas sector.

According to him, the oil and gas sector has been a significant contributor to Nigeria’s economy and relying solely on this sector to solve economic challenges in terms of expanding the sector to include petrochemicals, refining, and manufacturing can create new revenue streams and reduce dependence on crude oil exports.

While investing in new technologies and infrastructure can boost oil and gas production, leading to increased revenue thereby improving the economy.

He encouraged local content and value addition in the sector creating millions of jobs and stimulating economic growth. Effective management of oil and gas revenues, such as investing in sovereign wealth funds, can provide a cushion against economic shocks. Encouraging local procurement, services, and manufacturing in the sector can create economic linkages and stimulate growth.Fostering a business-friendly environment to attract investment and drive growth.

The Minister added that adopting a comprehensive approach that includes both the oil and gas sector and other sectors, Nigeria can more effectively address its economic challenges.

In the power sector, the Minister of power, Adebao Adelabu emphasised on the need to “achieve our 30 percent Renewable Energy target. I urge you to consider the significant benefits of investing in renewable energy projects in Nigeria. Our country boasts abundant resources, particularly solar, wind, and hydro energy, providing a remarkable opportunity for sustainable growth. The renewable energy market has grown tremendously in the last decade, with over $1 billion leveraged by Multilateral Development Banks.”

“By channelling investments into these renewable sources, we can effectively meet our carbon emission targets while playing a crucial role in combating climate change.

“As demonstrated by our recently completed $550 million Nigeria Electrification Project, investing in renewable energy helps reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and support economic development. Additionally, to complement the NEP, the $750 million DARES project would provide electricity to 2.5 million people in Nigeria by deploying solar home systems and mini-grids.”

These investments will propel Nigeria toward achieving its desired energy mix and transition targets as he reaffirmed unwavering commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2060.

It is critical that decisions and programmes at ongoing energy week will usher in a new dimension that will assist in shifting from the crude oil dominated energy to gas focused economy.

The recent rescue of 11 young Nigerian girls from the clutches of human traffickers in Ghana is a depravity that lurks in the shadows of our society.

The victims, aged 14 to 18, were lured with promises of restaurant jobs, only to be forced into prostitution and subjected to ritual oaths.

This heinous crime is an indictment of our collective failure to protect the vulnerable and a moral decadence that pervades our society.

The fact that the victims were transported from Lagos to Ghana without international passports, and ferried by boats and roads, speaks to the brazen nature of the traffickers and the lack of effective border control.

The involvement of family members, as revealed by the twins and the alleged mastermind’s brother, adds a disturbing layer of complexity to this case.

The arrest and detention of the alleged culprit are welcome developments, but more needs to be done to tackle the scourge of human trafficking.

Our government must work tirelessly to strengthen border control, collaborate with international agencies, and provide support services for victims. We must also confront the societal issues that drive human trafficking, such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment.

As a society, we must acknowledge the role we play in perpetuating this cycle of exploitation. We must recognise the value and dignity of every human life and work towards creating a society that is just and equitable for all.

The fight against human trafficking requires a collective effort, and we must all play our part in eradicating this blight on our collective conscience.

Child trafficking in Nigeria has long been a pervasive issue, encompassing not only sex trafficking but also forcing children into strenuous labour. According to UNICEF, children have been victims of this heinous practice for years, with reports highlighting Nigeria’s role as a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked children.

The NAPTIP/UNICEF Situation Assessment of Child Trafficking in Southern Nigeria in 2004 revealed alarming statistics: 46 percent of victims repatriated from external trafficking were children, predominantly exploited in prostitution, domestic labour, forced labour, and entertainment. Internally, children were trafficked for purposes including forced labour, domestic work, and prostitution.

Recent efforts have seen collaboration between Nigeria and neighbouring countries like Gabon, Cameroon, Niger, Italy, Spain, Benin Republic, and Saudi Arabia to combat this scourge. For instance, a joint operation by UNICEF in Nigeria and Benin Republic rescued over 500 children from granite quarries between October and December 2003, facilitating their safe return home.

Despite these efforts, the persistence of child trafficking underscores the urgent need for strengthened international cooperation, comprehensive legislative measures, and robust enforcement to protect vulnerable children and eradicate this egregious violation of human rights.

The increasing number of repatriations from foreign countries, including the UK, Italy, Netherlands, USA, Belgium, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, highlights the severity of the issue.

The false promise of employment, vocational training, or marriage continues to lure Nigerian girls into trafficking for prostitution.

Despite growing awareness, many children still fall prey to traffickers, often with the connivance of family members who prioritise financial gain over their children’s well-being.

The root causes of this crisis are multifaceted, including escalating poverty, lack of opportunities, eroded family values, and the allure of foreign exchange.

While poverty plays a role, it is equally concerning that some parents and guardians have become complicit in the trafficking of their children, driven by greed and a get-rich-quick mentality.

The existence of private transit camps in coastal states, where children are forced into labour and prostitution, is a disturbing indicator of the country’s systemic collapse.

The government must take decisive action to address these issues, including strengthening law enforcement, providing support services for victims, and addressing the socioeconomic factors driving human trafficking.

The repatriation of victims from Ghana is a wake-up call for Nigeria to confront its moral and systemic failures. It is time for the country to prioritise the well-being and safety of its citizens, particularly vulnerable children, and to address the greed and corruption that perpetuate human trafficking.

The spotlight now shines brightly on the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), known for its past successes yet facing an urgent need to become more proactive in combating this pervasive issue.

Simultaneously, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) is urged not just to raise awareness but to adopt a more assertive approach in its campaigns against such abhorrent crimes. Collaboration with traditional leaders is deemed essential to amplify the impact of their efforts.

Amidst calls for thorough investigation, likened to high-profile cases like that of Epstein in the United States, the urgency for unearthing every facet of this organised crime is emphasised.

It’s a crime involving influential figures, demanding nothing less than a comprehensive probe to ensure justice prevails and all perpetrators are held accountable.

Moreover, the involvement of ministries such as Foreign Affairs and Women Affairs is underscored, highlighting the necessity for concerted efforts with NAPTIP to pursue justice vigorously.

Sweeping this case under the carpet is not an option; instead, it must serve as a deterrent while fulfilling the government’s solemn duty to safeguard its youth and secure a safer future for generations to come.

Since 1979 when the Ajaokuta Steel Industry project was started by the Alh Shehu Shagari administration, having signed the contract with a Russian firm in 1976, one would have expected the vision and mission of the project to have been long accomplished by now.

With initial cost put at $1bn, which has reverally reviewed over the years to well over N49bn.

But that was not to be, for reasons best known to our leaders. The project when completed is expected to provide over 40,000 direct jobs and countless indirect ones.

The core mandate for conceiving the project by the then Shagari Government was to supply materials for infrastructural development and eventual industrialisation of the country.

Established on 24,000 hectares of land in Kogi State, the rolling mill and integrated iron and steel plant, was equally targeted at earning foreign exchange for Nigeria.

This is a project that was said to be 84 percent completed in 1983 and 98 percent completed in 1994,but regrettably 30 years down the line the project remains uncompleted.

What could be the reasons adduced for this monumental failure on the part of the successive administrations. A lack of funds was one of the reasons put forward by Nigerian governments for failing to deliver this all-important project, but the country can easily buy SUVs at N160m each for over 800 members of the National Assembly, without recourse to the impulse of Nigerians.

The country can seamlessly pay its senators higher than their counterparts across the globe, but to finish a project that can turnaround the fortune of its citizens, there is no fund.

How do we situate this kind of attitude or character? Does this in any way suggest patriotism or statesmanship? We leave the answer for the people. The  superficial reason for non-completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Industry project is that of lack of political will, corruption and possibly hidden agenda, driven by parochial ideology on the part of leaders of this great country.

We can as well not rule out neocolonialism, suggesting that technology cannot be transferred. The reason is simple. If I give you my heart, what will I use to breathe? This simply means that I cannot allow you to suffocate me to death in the name of doing good. Russia and other industrialised countries thrive on science and technology, so would they now transfer their mainstay to us for a pittance?

Technology is hardly transferable, you can only develop your own or steal it from anywhere. It is better and safer to  develop a homegrown technology that can easily be serviced and managed locally. And the earlier we wake up, put our thinking caps right, the better for us.

The way forward is to complete the age-long Ajaokuta Steel Industry project, no matter what it takes. The reason is that the vision of the founding fathers that conceived the lofty idea of the Ajaokuta Steel Industry remains germane, several years after their regime.

Also, in line with the ‘renewed hope agenda’ of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the finances of the protracted Ajaokuta Steel Industry project should be probed. Let the Economic and  Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) thoroughly look into this matter, to ascertain who took what as regards to the project.

If we cannot punish the looters, at least we can name and shame them. There is no reason why Nigeria should remain a toddler in the 21st century, having gotten her independence in 1960.

There is nothing stopping us from starting the process of development and industrialisation now. Nigeria can still pursue, overtake and recover. A journey of a million miles starts with a step.