The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has announced plans to introduce a new legislation that will mandate the creation of green jobs across the country, with clear targets for the inclusion of women and youth in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.
Chairman of the Committee, Afam Ogene, disclosed this yesterday during the Africa Policy Dialogue (APD) Kick-off Workshop on Green Jobs and Low Carbon Transition held at the National AssemblyComplex, Abuja.
The proposed legislation, titled the National Inclusive Green Jobs Act (NIGJA), is expected to provide a framework for linking renewable energy investments to employment generation, targeted skills development, and inclusive participation of young people and women
It will also align with regional trade goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aimed at enhancing competitiveness in Africa’s energy market.
Ogene said the move builds on resolutions reached during the First Annual Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy held earlier this year in Lagos.
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He described the bill as a key component of the Committee’s agenda and a practical step towards turning Nigeria’s energy transition into a tool for social and economic development
He noted that climate change policy must go beyond environmental goals to focus on social justice and job creation, especially in rural and underserved areas.
“For Nigeria to achieve meaningful and sustainable development, prioritising the interests of women and youth is crucial,” Ogene said.
He commended the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for creating the Committee on Renewable Energy as a full standing committee of the House, the first in Nigeria’s legislative history, to push forward policies and track progress in the sector.
The Committee Chairman also referenced a recent House resolution mandating all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to transition to renewable energy sources for their power needs.
He said efforts are already underway to draft legislation that will give the resolution the force of law.
According to Ogene, green jobs are not abstract, but real and measurable outcomes of energy investments.
He cited the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, the Solar Power Naija initiative, and the Next-Gen RESCO Programme as examples of ongoing projects creating employment opportunities. He said the Next-Gen RESCO programme alone is expected to create 10,000 jobs in the coming years.
He added that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets 30% renewable energy generation by 2030, could create 340,000 direct jobs by 2030 and up to 840,000 by 2060.
However, Ogene expressed concern that women and youth remain underrepresented in technical and decision-making roles in the energy sector.