Abuja: The Federal Government and various stakeholders have renewed their commitment to addressing methane emissions through a comprehensive strategy by 2030. Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, highlighted this commitment during a workshop on Methane Emission Reduction held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop served as a platform for stakeholder engagement on data mapping of climate actors and focused on the project titled ‘Multi-solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria.’ The initiative targets major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Jos, and Benin. Lawal, represented by Dr. Asmau Jibril, Assistant Director of the Department of Climate Change, stated that Nigeria has updated its Nationally Determined Contributions and long-term low-emission development strategies to cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations by 60% by 2030.
The minister emphasized the significance of methane as a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide over two decades. He noted the establishment of sector-specific and national action plans aimed at reducing short-lived climate pollutants. Addressing methane emissions, especially from the oil and gas, waste, and agricultural sectors, is crucial for protecting public health, preserving the environment, and meeting international climate commitments.
Dr. Babatunde Ajani, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, underscored the importance of coordinated participation in achieving Nigeria’s target of a 30% methane reduction by 2030. Ajani described efforts to build an ecosystem of innovation, collaboration, and climate accountability through initiatives like the Land Carbon Registry and the Air Quality Monitoring Network. These efforts, he said, demonstrate that sub-national entities can deliver measurable climate action complementing national commitments.
Mr. Yusuf Kelani, Special Assistant to the President on Climate Matters, pointed out the empowerment opportunities in converting waste to wealth and using trapped methane for regeneration. He stressed that while dump sites pose threats, there is potential for turning waste into valuable resources, especially for youth and women.
Mr. Aliyu Awal from the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria expressed the association’s commitment to converting waste into opportunities and reducing methane emissions. Awal introduced a digitalisation app for waste pickers aiming to integrate them into the national climate framework, thereby transforming waste management into effective climate action.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive-Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, highlighted the challenges Nigeria faces in waste disposal, often exacerbated by individual efforts. Mr. Abdulrahman Yusuf from the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to climate action, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based coordination for aligning various climate initiatives.