- Rejects “Weaponisation of Capital by the Global North” at OTL West Africa as Nigeria Pushes for an Inclusive, Balanced Energy Transition
Africa’s development cannot be dictated by foreign interests that seek to “weaponise capital and climate finance” to control the continent’s growth trajectory – Lokpobiri
Africa’s development cannot be dictated by foreign interests that seek to “weaponise capital and climate finance” to control the continent’s growth trajectory, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has declared.
In what is clearly a statement of national purpose, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has declared that Nigeria will not bow to pressure from the Global North to abandon its oil and gas resources in the name of energy transition.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the opening of the 2025 OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, Lokpobiri urged African nations to reject one-size-fits-all climate prescriptions and instead champion an Africa-led energy mix anchored on equity, investment, and survival. Despite billions pledged at various climate conferences, he noted, very little has reached the continent. “We can’t do anything about it. So let’s see our own destiny in our own hands,” he said.
As global attention builds ahead of COP30 in Brazil, where debates around energy security and equity are expected to dominate, Lokpobiri stated that Nigeria will insist that transition policies reflect national realities, not imported ideologies.
“We will not abandon our resources to satisfy anyone’s agenda,” he said. “Oil and gas remain critical for Nigeria’s development and for financing our transition. We will use what we have to get to where we want to go.”
Lokpobiri accused Western nations of “weaponising capital”—using climate policies and funding conditionalities to restrict developing countries’ access to financing for fossil-based projects.
“When Africa seeks funds for renewables, they say there’s not enough money; but billions are still being invested in oil and gas elsewhere. That is not justice.”
His remarks reflect a growing consensus among African policymakers that the path to net zero must be equitable, allowing resource-rich nations to monetise assets responsibly while investing in cleaner technologies.
At OTL 2025, the Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s focus is on a balanced energy mix — combining oil, gas, renewables, and emerging technologies — to secure energy access and industrial growth.
“We cannot talk about transition when 600 million Africans still live without electricity,” he said. “Energy poverty is the biggest climate injustice. For us, energy transition must start with energy security.”
He reaffirmed that gas remains Africa’s most realistic bridge fuel, capable of powering industries, stabilizing electricity, and reducing dependence on imported refined products. Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative, he said, remains central to national policy and a driver for clean industrialization.
Lokpobiri’s stance also highlights Nigeria’s intent to challenge the double standards in global climate diplomacy. While many European nations have revived coal and gas to secure energy supplies, African countries face pressure to halt fossil development. Analysts note that this could shape Africa’s united negotiation stance at COP30, where leaders are expected to demand a new energy fairness compact balancing decarbonization with development rights.
“Africa’s message at COP30 will be clear,” Lokpobiri said. “We will transition on our own terms, at our own pace, using our resources to empower our people.”
He also called for stronger regional alliances to amplify Africa’s voice in global energy governance and climate finance negotiations. This aligns with Nigeria’s updated Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which targets net-zero emissions by 2060 without undermining economic growth. The plan integrates renewables, efficiency, and carbon management—while emphasizing that oil and gas revenues will fund the transition.
Lokpobiri highlighted ongoing government efforts to attract investment into refining, carbon capture, and clean cooking energy as “realistic solutions that align environmental sustainability with economic necessity.”
As global leaders prepare for COP30, Nigeria’s message remains firm: the country is not turning its back on oil but redefining its role within a fairer, more resilient global energy system.
“Our transition will be driven by justice, not pressure; by development, not deprivation,” Lokpobiri concluded. “Nigeria’s path to sustainability must remain uniquely Nigerian.”
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