By Chika Okeke
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi CNG & EV) has sought improved energy security, emissions-reduction, job opportunities, strengthening local industries and attracting investments, adding that Nigeria’s green transition must deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
Executive Chairman of Pi CNG & EV, Barr Ismail Ahmed revealed this on the sidelines of the fourth edition of Africa Climate Forum (ACF) in Abuja, with the theme: “Implementing in Lockstep: Public-Private Action for Green Outcomes.”
He stated that Pi CNG & EV remains committed to building partnerships that accelerate cleaner mobility, unlock private investments, and deliver sustainable outcomes for Nigerians.
Ahmed, who was represented by the Chief Investment Officer, Pi CNG & EV, Jide Awolowo said that the theme underscored the need to move beyond climate commitments towards coordinated and measurable action.
Africa’s green transition cannot be achieved by the government or the private sector acting alone, as it requires deliberate collaboration, innovative financing, strategic investments, and shared responsibility.
He said: “At PICNG and EVs, this principle guides our efforts to transform Nigeria’s transportation sector through cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable mobility solutions.
“By promoting compressed natural gas and electric vehicles, we are leveraging Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources while laying the foundation for a more diversified and sustainable transport ecosystem.”
But achieving meaningful impact demands investments in infrastructure, supporting policies, private sector participation, access to financing, local manufacturing, and technical capacity development.
He pointed out that the governments must create the enabling environment, while the private sector brings the capital, innovation, and operational expertise needed to achieve the scale, saying that development partners and financial institutions have a critical role in unlocking investment opportunities.
The Regional Director of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Ambassador Philbert Abaka Johnson enjoined the Federal Government to provide the policy certainty and predictable demand that will unlock private capital through stable demand, stable standards, green public procurement, and timely preparation of carbon border adjustment measures in Africa’s export markets.
He assured that UNIDO would continue to provide technical expertise, project preparation, and convening support to Federal and state governments, private sector, financial institutions, and development partners in Nigeria and across the ECOWAS subregion.
Johnson, who was represented by National Program Officer of UNIDO, Dr. Reuben Bamidele pleaded with financiers and development financing institutions to align concessional, blended, and risk-sharing instruments to pipelines of prepared projects.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe said that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a reality affecting livelihoods, food security, water resources, infrastructure, public health, and economic development across Africa.
He informed that from desertification and drought to flooding, coastal erosion, and the loss of biodiversity, the impacts are far-reaching and demand coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable responses.
Ogbe, who was represented by Director, Head of Environment Management Department, Ministry of Regional Development, Mr Fred Odika recognised that sustainable development cannot be achieved without integrating climate considerations into climate policies, programmes, infrastructure planning, and community development initiatives.
The Dean, Faculty of law, Nile University of Nigeria, Prof Fatima Alkali said that Prof. George Nwangwu was a pioneer facilitator of the Energy and Natural Resources Law specialisation in the varsity.
She stated that Nwangwu has inspired numerous Ph.D. and LL.M. research projects, mentoring many law graduates who are now actively contributing to climate mitigation and energy transition in practice.
Alkali informed that legal scholars and institutions play a vital role in crafting the regulatory, policy, and legal frameworks necessary for a just and sustainable energy transition.
She hinted that the varsity remains committed to developing research-backed solutions to human climate challenges, adding that everyone has a role to play in mitigating the impact of climate change.
