In a groundbreaking move towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future, President Bola Tinubu has announced the deployment of a fleet of 100 electric buses by the federal government.
The revelation came during a high-level meeting on the Nigeria Carbon Market and Electric Buses Rollout Programme in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, held on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.
Tinubu, speaking passionately, expressed Nigeria’s commitment to ending gas flaring and imposing penalties against defaulters. He outlined the aim of reducing the country’s carbon footprint significantly and modernizing its transportation systems, positioning Nigeria and Africa as pioneers in green manufacturing and industrialization.
The President named the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service ,FIRS, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change ,NCCC, Mr. Dahiru Salisu, as co-chairs of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan.
Tinubu emphasized the initiative’s role in guiding Nigeria toward becoming an investment-friendly destination for carbon market investments. He debunked claims of external influence, stating that Nigeria’s track record in supporting just causes globally stands as a testament to its dedication to environmental stewardship.
“This initiative stands as a testament to our dedication to environmental stewardship, as clearly exemplified through our collaboration with the Africa Carbon Market Initiative. Our visionary plan is a strategic guidepost, directing Nigeria towards becoming an investment-friendly destination for carbon market investments,” said Tinubu.
He assured prospective investors that the electric bus rollout is not a mere pilot project but a concrete manifestation of Nigeria’s dedication to a carbon-neutral future. Tinubu challenged other nations to emulate Nigeria’s strides in mapping out sustainable futures and underscored the need for comprehensive global collaboration to address climate-related challenges.
While highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy and reducing emissions, Tinubu called on leading economies to take responsibility for the current state of the atmosphere, pointing fingers at the US and China as the biggest culprits in greenhouse emissions.
In a surprising endorsement, Kenya President William Ruto commended President Tinubu for his “very difficult decisions, including the removal of the petrol subsidy.” Ruto emphasized the necessity for difficult decisions to stabilize African economies, pledging to gather courage to make the right choices for Africa’s progress.
At the same summit, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu sought financial support from the international community to address water shortages in the state. The Governor emphasized the economic necessity of providing clean water, noting the challenges faced in meeting the rising demand.
President Tinubu’s announcements align with global efforts to combat climate change, with various leaders at the COP28 summit expressing commitments to reducing emissions and mobilizing funding for sustainable initiatives. The initiatives unveiled at the summit mark a significant step forward in Nigeria’s pursuit of a greener and cleaner economy.
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