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Net-Zero Emissions: Nigeria Seeks Foreign Investment, Global Partnerships

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By Tony Obiechina Abuja

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu yesterday stressed the critical need for foreign financial support and international cooperation to meet the substantial investment, estimated at around $410 billion by 2060, to achieve net-zero emissions and universal access to clean energy.

The Minister stated this during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of Global South Peer Learning Workshop on Country Platforms for Climate Action and Just Energy Transition, organised by Africa Policy Research Institute with support from the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCC) the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation among others.
Bagudu pointed out that Nigeria has already identified $23 billion in investment opportunities in sectors such as power generation, transmission, and clean cooking, and is working to secure financing commitments to kickstart implementation.He reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to advancing Nigeria’s national development plans, particularly emphasizing the country’s energy transition and economic growth strategies, and also underscored the importance of collective national commitment and hard work in realizing Nigeria’s development goals.The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to align with the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which aims to tackle energy poverty and climate change while promoting sustainable economic growth.Bagudu noted that Nigeria has historically contributed to global institutions and is now focused on leveraging financial investments to support climate action and energy transition, including renewable energy projects and clean cooking solutions.He also addressed the challenges posed by climate change, including floods and environmental degradation, linking these issues to the urgency of transitioning to sustainable energy sources. He emphasized the government’s resolve to modernize the economy, improve infrastructure, and ensure inclusivity in development efforts, highlighting ongoing policies such as the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) and Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) unveiled by the Ministry of Power.Furthermore, the minister called on Nigerians, especially the youths to embrace national commitment and hard work as essential drivers of progress, reiterating that every state in Nigeria has a value to contribute to the national pool. He praised the resilience of Nigerian women and the government’s focus on inclusivity and empowerment under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.Bagudu concluded with a call for coordinated action, innovation, and sustained investment to realize Nigeria’s vision for a prosperous, sustainable future, positioning the country as a leader in Africa’s just and equitable energy transition.In his remarks, Dr. Eugene Itua, Lead of the NESG’s Special Task Force for Climate Action, emphasized the critical role of private sector investment and innovation in Nigeria’s energy transition. Itua Highlighted the need for businesses to drive low-emission growth and unlock climate finance, citing Nigeria’s $1.9 trillion funding gap to achieve net-zero by 2060.He stressed learning from Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in South Africa, Indonesia, and Senegal to design Nigeria’s Country Platform for Climate Action (CPCA) and advocated for stronger public-private partnerships to implement Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, including carbon market development and solar project aggregation.He noted that Nigeria’s transition must balance economic development with climate resilience, leveraging lessons from Global South peers to avoid replicating outdated models and reaffirmed NESG’s commitment to translating workshop outcomes into actionable strategies, particularly in bridging financing gaps and ensuring an equitable shift from fossil fuels.”At the NESG, we firmly believe that a sustainable and economically vibrant future for Nigeria hinges on our ability to proactively address climate change and strategically navigate the complexities of a just energy transition” he said.

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Foreign News

U.S Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

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The United States says it will begin revoking visas of Chinese students and tighten screening for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, the US State Department said on Thursday.

“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media platform X.

In a press release, the State Department stated that it would also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.

It was not immediately clear how many students currently in the United States would be affected or whether any exemptions would apply.

According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), about 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled at U.S. universities during the 2023-2024 academic years, making them the second-largest group of international students after those from India.

The U.S. already applies strict visa rules for Chinese nationals in certain academic disciplines, particularly in science and technology.

China’s Foreign Office said it filed a complaint against the unjustified step.

Washington’s discriminatory actions expose the lie of freedom and openness that the U.S. has always boasted about, said spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing.

The new measures come amid reports that the State Department has halted new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it reviews screening procedures, including expanded checks on social media activity.

The pause reportedly affects F, M and J visa categories, including those for students, interns and au pairs, with further instructions expected in the coming days.

However, relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated further since U.S President Donald Trump took office in January.

The two economic powers are engaged in a deepening trade dispute and competing for global influence across multiple fronts.(dpa/NAN)

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Education

How female Medicine Degree Holder Abandoned Certificate for Carpentry- Bugaje

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The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje has expressed the need to promote inclusivity, especially for women and persons with disabilities in technical education.

Bugaje stated this in Abuja while assessing the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration after two years in office.

He appealed for greater gender inclusivity in vocational and technical education, stressing that deliberate policies such as scholarships and incentives could help bridge the gender gap.

In support of his position, Bugaje shared an inspiring story of a female medical doctor who abandoned her medical career to pursue carpentry.

“There is a story I want to share with you, about a girl who was interested in becoming a carpenter.

“The father was a carpenter and they were four children in the family, three boys and herself.

“Whenever she joined the boys to the workshop, the father would send her away, saying, `you are a girl, go back to the house, you are not supposed to be a carpenter’’.

“Without giving considerations to the passion of the young girl, the father sent her to a medical school.

“She graduated with the MBBS, went and did the one-year internship after graduation, and chose a role as a medical doctor.

“After that, she came back to the father, returned the MBBS certificate to him, and thanked him.

“Afterward, she told the father that her passion is in carpentry, not to practice as medical doctor,” Bugaje narrated

He added that after spending seven years on medical training, the father had no option but to send her to Turkey to learn how to make furniture.

Addressing cultural and societal barriers often faced by young women in technical fields, Bugaje appealed to parents to support their daughters’ interests in trades like plumbing, electrical installation, and carpentry.

He also called on policymakers to prioritise passion and skill development among youth, especially girls, noting that such encouragement could lead to greater innovation and self-reliance.

“If they want to become carpenters, ICT experts, or POP artists, allow them.

“In skills’ training, passion is very important. That’s what motivates children and helps them innovate.

“We need to harness these innovations if the country is to move forward and rise beyond being a third-world nation,” he said.

He emphasized the need to have deliberate policies to encourage women to come into TVET through scholarships and other incentives. (NAN)

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Education

WAEC Apologies for Conducting English Exam Late, Cites Leakage  Prevention

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has apologized for delay in conducting  English Language Paper 2 in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

 The took place on Wednesday evening.

In a statement by Moyosola Adesina, Acting Head of Public Affairs Department of
WAEC, the council said that it encountered challenges.

”While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper.

“We recognise the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on candidates, their schools and parents, and we sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused,” WAEC stated.

It said that it successfully achieved its objective but it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.

“In spite of our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and socio-cultural factors that negatively influenced our operations,” WAEC said.

The council re-affirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standard in examination conduct, and pledged to continue to promote academic excellence. (NAN)

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