THE Nigerian government said it had adopted the National Energy Transition Policy (NETP) with the commitment to pursue a just, inclusive, and beneficial energy transition.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, stated this at the just concluded Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Retreat/Board Meeting held in Abia State.

In a statement mailed to The ICIR on Saturday, May 10, Akume, the chairman of the NEITI Board, described the adoption of the policy as a strategic blueprint for a cleaner and greener energy transition.

He emphasised the need for an evidence-based approach that balances the urgent global shift with national development priorities, particularly in revenue protection, job retention, energy security, gender equity, and citizen-focused development.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has embraced the National Energy Transition Policy as a strategic blueprint for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient energy future. Our goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 without leaving anyone behind -especially our rural and vulnerable communities,” Akume said.

The NEITI retreat was part of efforts to review its national strategy on energy transition, strengthen institutional reforms, and deepen partnerships with subnational governments on natural resource governance and domestic revenue mobilisation.

The retreat also deliberated on the ongoing NEITI research study on the impact of energy transition on Nigeria’s economy.

It also focused on reviewing policy implementation and strategic alignment under NEITI’s Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Speaking at the retreat, the Abia State Governor Alex Otti said while Nigeria had not fully realised the benefits of its abundant natural resource endowment, the tide was already turning.

“Poverty and wealth are often a function of how natural resources are harnessed and distributed. Where extractives are exploited responsibly and revenue is transparently and equitably applied, prosperity follows. NEITI has emerged as one of the key institutions working to correct past wrongs and institutionalise transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s resource governance,” Otti said.

He lauded NEITI’s pioneering efforts in driving reforms and promoting credible data disclosures, adding that Abia State was prepared to align with NEITI’s standards.

The Governor cited the establishment of ABTAN Energy Ltd, a joint venture between the Abia State Government, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), and private investors, to manage oil and gas assets responsibly.

He said ABTAN’s operations would fully integrate NEITI’s reporting framework to ensure that no stakeholder, especially host communities, is left behind.

Otti called on NEITI to support subnational governments in building transparent, value-driven ecosystems, while also advocating for a fair compensation model for host communities.

“As a state, we are steadily preparing for the new energy order. NEITI must remain central to the unfolding dynamics by setting pro-Nigeria systems for reporting and industry accountability,” the governor added.

The NEITI Executive Secretary, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said the retreat came at a time of major global shifts.

“The world is moving rapidly from fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives. For Nigeria, this transition presents complex fiscal, social, and structural challenges – but also unique opportunities to diversify our economy and build resilience. That’s why NEITI, under NSWG guidance, commissioned a national study to inform policy with credible data.”

Orji noted that the retreat also reviewed NEITI’s strategic priorities and operational plans, while forging new pathways for collaboration with state governments, particularly in extractive governance and tax transparency.

On his part, the Regional Director for Africa at the EITI International Secretariat in Oslo, Norway, Gilbert Makore, lauded NEITI’s consistency in publishing timely and credible data on Nigeria’s extractive industries.

He said, “NEITI’s work is fully aligned with EITI’s mission to promote transparency, reduce poverty, and support national development through impactful reforms. Nigeria remains a global leader in EITI implementation.”

The ICIR reports that the NETP was launched on August 24, 2022, to set Nigeria on the path to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060 while addressing energy poverty and climate change.