In a bid to make climate action a core part of his Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria as an active player in the global climate economy, President Bola Tinubu has approved over $3.8 billion worth of investment in the carbon market.
Specifically, the President has endorsed the Carbon Market Framework for Nigeria with a view to unlocking billions of dollars in green investments.
The Carbon Market Framework operates under the National Council on Climate Change, NCCC, an agency established by the Climate Change Act of 2021 and domiciled in the Presidency with the President as Chairman of the Council, while the Vice President serves as the Vice Chairman.
The approval, according to the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, NCCC, Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, has proven that Nigeria is now fully open for climate business.
Majekodunmi, who spoke with journalists in the United Arab Emirates on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, noted that the carbon market presents opportunities across several sectors, including renewable energy, clean cooking, reforestation, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable infrastructure.
She added that the approval provides a clear regulatory and institutional structure for carbon trading in Nigeria, enabling both local and international investors to develop and finance climate-friendly projects while earning carbon credits.
“With the final approvals in place, Nigeria is officially ready to do business. We are now positioned to begin seeing real returns. The carbon market alone is valued at over $3.8 billion in potential investments annually,” she hinted.
The director general also revealed that Nigeria has already shown strong interest in carbon-related projects, stressing that since initial approvals were granted in October, the Council has received between 3,000 and 4,000 applications.
Majekodunmi also pointed out that Nigeria’s participation at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is part of efforts to deepen international partnerships, particularly with the United Arab Emirates.
She said: “We see a lot of potential for collaboration in renewable energy, sustainable finance, climate technology, and carbon markets. And as such, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week provides the right platform to be able to deepen this relationship and this partnership to get real impact.”
The director general added that technology transfer, innovation and local capacity development remain key priorities, with plans to strengthen Nigeria’s capabilities in clean energy systems, agriculture and climate-resilient infrastructure.
