Nigeria to Phase Out Diesel Dependency, Cut Emissions with Hybrid Energy, Says Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that Nigeria will begin phasing out its reliance on diesel generators in favour of hybrid energy systems as part of a broader strategy to cut carbon emissions and modernize infrastructure.
Speaking at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria (DIN) Summit held on Tuesday in Abuja, Shettima said the move aligns with the country’s Energy Transition Plan and Climate Change Act.
According to the Vice President, the initiative will begin with the conversion of Onne Port in Rivers State into Nigeria’s first fully green port, backed by $60 million in private-sector investment.
He noted that this pilot project would be replicated across other sectors and regions to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.
“We are charting a new course for our infrastructure future. This is not just about replacing diesel generators. It is about repositioning Nigeria as a leader in clean energy adoption,” Shettima said.
He explained that 75 percent of Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from infrastructure-related sectors such as energy, transportation, urban development, and agriculture. Describing diesel use as “economically inefficient and environmentally harmful,” Shettima stressed that climate action was no longer a luxury but an economic necessity.
The Vice President also unveiled plans to launch a Green Investment Portal aimed at encouraging transparency, boosting investor confidence, and supporting project de-risking.
He called on the private sector and development partners to align with the government’s clean energy and infrastructure transformation goals.
Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, noted that while Nigeria contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, it remains one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. She called for stronger commitments to renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land use.
The government estimates that the shift to hybrid energy and low-emission infrastructure could create up to 1.5 million green jobs by 2035. The DIN Summit attracted stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, climate advocacy groups, and international development organisations.
Shettima concluded by reaffirming the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of this transition are inclusive and widespread, stating, “This journey to decarbonisation is not just for the elites in Abuja or Lagos. It is for every Nigerian
