NESREA, ACMTI, and CEM-CCUS Launch Carbon Utilisation Initiative in Nigeria
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with the Africa Carbon Management Technology & Innovation (ACMTI) and the Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Initiative (CEM-CCUS), has officially launched a Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Initiative Platform in Nigeria. This significant event took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, marking a pivotal step in the nation's efforts toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
A Major Milestone for Environmental and Industrial Transformation
Speaking at the launch, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, described the project as a major milestone in Nigeria's journey. He emphasized that the CCUS solution provides an economically viable pathway for industrial decarbonisation by enabling the capture, storage, and utilisation of carbon across various sectors. These sectors include beverage production, cement manufacturing, chemicals and fuels, enhanced oil recovery, and agriculture.
Prof. Barikor highlighted the importance of reducing carbon levels in the atmosphere to acceptable standards. He stated, "We need to reduce carbon in the atmosphere to acceptable levels. Its utilisation offers opportunities to capture and store carbon and deploy it for industrial purposes. We are building a circular economy—turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities in line with regulatory provisions." He further noted that the CCUS Platform is designed as a collaborative ecosystem, bringing together key stakeholders such as government institutions, industry leaders, academia, technology developers, development partners, and investors.
Academic Support and Regional Leadership
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NESREA for the initiative, describing it as a practical mechanism for coordination, innovation, and action toward Nigeria's 2035 climate targets and broader energy transition goals. He added that the university is well-positioned to host the CCUS initiative, noting that its Energy Technology Institute has developed credible expertise in energy transition-related fields critical to the success of CCUS in Nigeria.
Dr. Richard Victor Osu, Coordinator of ACMTI and Facilitator of the Carbon Technology Innovation Platform (CTIP), outlined the vision to position Nigeria as a regional leader in carbon management technologies. He explained that this initiative will contribute meaningfully to Africa's climate commitments and global decarbonisation efforts. Dr. Osu detailed that Port Harcourt was selected due to its potential as a CCUS hub, with the platform focusing on advancing research and innovation, building technical capacity, promoting public-private partnerships, attracting investment, and fostering collaboration with international research and technology partners.
International Collaboration and Future Prospects
Juho Lipponen of the CEM-CCUS Initiative assured that the organisation would support Nigeria in prioritising CCUS in clean energy discussions, strengthening carbon management deployment programmes, boosting partnerships, facilitating financing solutions, and promoting positive narratives around carbon utilisation. The event attracted participants from the United States, France, Brazil, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, who shared valuable insights on the initiative.
Also in attendance were representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, as well as private sector stakeholders and development partners. This broad participation underscores the collaborative effort to drive sustainable development and climate action in Nigeria through innovative carbon management solutions.
