Nigeria’s Labour Minister calls for just, inclusive energy transition at global summit – The Sun Nigeria

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has issued a compelling appeal for a global clean energy transition that prioritises workers’ rights and equitable opportunities, particularly for developing nations.

Addressing the International Energy Agency (IEA) Clean Energy Labour Council Meeting in Brussels on Friday 13 June, 2025, Onyejeocha emphasised that the shift toward renewable energy must not leave vulnerable populations behind. “This transition must not only be green, but also just, inclusive, and fair, ensuring that no worker, no community, and no country is left behind,” she declared.

The minister highlighted the dual challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid shift to clean energy, particularly for labour markets in the Global South.

She warned against a scenario where the green economy becomes “another frontier of exclusion” and instead advocated for it to serve as “a platform for shared prosperity and sustainable livelihoods.”

Central to her argument were three key priorities: large-scale upskilling programs to prepare workers for emerging green jobs, ensuring affordability in clean energy access and training, and guaranteeing that labour voices are included in policymaking. “Workers at the bottom of the economic ladder must be empowered to participate actively in the green economy, not merely observe it,” she stressed.

Onyejeocha detailed Nigeria’s ongoing efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly through the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), launched in April 2025.

She cited two major initiatives as examples of the country’s commitment to a just transition: the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), which is training thousands of auto-mechanics in CNG vehicle conversion and maintenance, and renewable energy programs focused on equipping young Nigerians—especially women—with skills in solar technology deployment. “These interventions are not only about technology; they are about jobs, dignity, and sustainable community livelihoods,” she explained.

While acknowledging that more work remains, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to prevent the energy transition from exacerbating inequality. “We will not allow this transition to widen inequality,” she said. “Instead, we are working to ensure the green economy becomes a gateway to opportunity for all.”

She concluded by framing the energy transition as not just a technological necessity but a moral obligation, urging global leaders to act with both boldness and empathy. “The energy transition is not just a technological imperative—it is a human imperative,” she said. “And as Ministers and stakeholders gathered here today, we carry the responsibility to act boldly, fairly, and with empathy.”