Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it will soon have the largest fleet of electric mass transit vehicles in Africa.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made this known at the ongoing 28th conference of the parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, UAE.
The Minister, according to a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, highlighted the urgent need for concerted global action to address the challenges of climate change.
Tuggar said Nigeria is leading the fight against climate change in Africa by setting ambitious and realistic goals.
He also said the country aims to have the largest electric mass transit fleet in Africa and increase electric buses from 100 to 1,000.
“Nigeria has ratified its commitments through a Climate Change Act and a National Council on Climate Change (NCCC),” he said.
“Through these, Nigeria set ambitious, albeit realistic, goals, and I am proud to state that we have hit the ground running, transforming our commitments into tangible climate action.”
Tuggar emphasised the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility in combating the escalating climate crisis.
“The initiative will reduce emissions and indicate my administration’s commitment to catalysing the market for green project deployments, job creation, and industrialisation across critical sectors,” he said.
The minister emphasized the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and ecosystems worldwide, recognizing the severity of the climate emergency.
He added that it was important to uphold the principles outlined in the Paris Agreement, and the need for all nations to commit to ambitious and transparent climate targets.
Tuggar also reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria to its nationally determined contributions, underscoring the nation’s dedication to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
The Minister said the country is willing to foster international cooperation, encourage innovation, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
He therefore called upon the international community to transcend political differences and work collaboratively towards meaningful and immediate climate solutions.
Tuggar emphasized the importance of developed nations providing financial support to assist developing countries in transitioning to low-carbon economies.
