As the global demand for cleaner energy intensifies, President Bola Tinubu emphatically called for a just energy transition that takes into account the unique challenges faced by developing economies. Speaking at the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) in Khankhendi, Azerbaijan, Tinubu highlighted the theme, “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Future,” emphasizing the urgent need for a climate-resilient future in light of severe climate change impacts, including devastating droughts, floods, desertification, and extreme heatwaves.
“Nigeria, endowed with both fossil and renewable energy, supports a just energy transition,” he stated during a speech delivered by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu.
In his address, Tinubu sought collaboration among ECO member states to enhance access to cleaner energy technologies, share technical expertise, and invest in regional power pools to extend electricity to underserved communities. He articulated that the global acknowledgment of climate change as a pressing threat necessitated collective action to combat its adverse effects, which have resulted in food insecurity, displacement, and economic disruption.
“Since COP29, the world has recognized that climate change is not a distant threat but a clear and present danger,” he said, affirming Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with ECO nations to integrate climate adaptation, mitigation, and green industrialization into every facet of cooperation. He underscored Nigeria’s commitment to developing its National Development Plan (NDP) for 2026-2030, intentionally aligning it with the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tinubu asserted that true sustainability hinges on interconnected economies, and he stressed the importance of global resilience through reinforced infrastructure, smarter energy systems, and the creation of trade corridors. In this light, he declared Nigeria’s intention to advocate for a strengthened ECO-Africa Trade Corridor to harmonize tariffs, streamline customs procedures, and establish efficient multimodal logistics platforms linking Africa to the rest of the world.
He emphasized the need for Energy Interoperability and Transition, explaining that moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy must consider the economic realities faced by transitioning economies. The president made a compelling case for inclusive growth, urging ECO members to prioritize the empowerment of vulnerable groups, including rural farmers, fishing communities, and women entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, Tinubu called upon the ECO to empower youth through skills development, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion, as well as to promote gender equity in regional trade and energy access. He advocated for mobilizing public-private partnerships to finance grassroots climate adaptation initiatives, ranging from regenerative agriculture to local green enterprises. “The road to 2030 and beyond must be paved with policies that leave no one behind,” he asserted.
Stressing the need for a unified approach, Tinubu urged the ECO to emerge as a cohesive force advocating for climate justice, equitable financing, and fair trade terms on the global stage. He expressed Nigeria’s readiness to support climate initiatives, invest in innovation, and protect its most vulnerable populations.
Describing the Summit as a pivotal moment, he encouraged ECO members to envision a future where infrastructure serves not just to move goods but also to connect aspirations and foster collaboration. “Let us imagine a future where our highways do not just move goods, but connect dreams. Where our power grids not only illuminate cities but also ideas,” he said.
In his closing, Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Government and People of Azerbaijan for their hospitality and to President Heydar Oghlu Aliyev for hosting the Summit amidst global challenges. President Aliyev, for his part, highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to economic cooperation and the establishment of various forums and centers aimed at fostering collaboration within the ECO framework.
Founded in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, the ECO promotes economic, technical, and cultural cooperation among its member states, which also include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.