Professor urges Nigeria to convert oil wealth into green energy
Professor Ekundayo Mesagan of Pan-Atlantic University urged Nigeria and other oil-producing nations to transform fossil fuel wealth into sustainable energy systems during his inaugural lecture on 9 October. He recommended channeling oil revenues into financing renewable energy, building green infrastructure, and adopting cleaner technologies instead of relying heavily on oil and gas for economic growth. Mesagan highlighted the challenge of balancing fossil fuel benefits with environmental consequences, noting global carbon dioxide emissions rose from about 22 billion tonnes in 1990 to roughly 39 billion tonnes in 2024. He called for greater investment in carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and urged existing and proposed Nigerian refineries to adopt such technologies to cut emissions and remain competitive as global climate policies tighten. The professor also advocated a diversified energy mix—investing in solar, hydro and wind power—while strengthening pollution-control laws, implementing carbon pricing, and ensuring effective governance. He expressed hope that the African Energy Bank will collaborate with the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative to advance carbon trading across the continent. Nigeria, a Paris Agreement signatory, has pledged net-zero emissions by 2060 while continuing to invest in its oil and gas industry. Will you support policies that redirect oil wealth toward renewable projects, or believe Nigeria should prioritize immediate economic gains from fossil fuels despite long-term environmental risks?