Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has inaugurated a national Working Group to advance Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s push to align industrial growth with environmental sustainability.
Director-General of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, announced the development during a virtual inauguration ceremony on Friday, stating that the initiative will strengthen the country’s capacity to manage carbon emissions across key sectors, including energy, cement, manufacturing, and heavy industry.
Represented by the Director of Partnership and Education, Bintu Kolo Mohammed, Barikor explained that the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Technology and Innovation Platform (CTIP), launched in April, is designed to integrate economic growth with climate-conscious practices.
He said the newly formed working group would serve as the operational backbone of the platform, focusing on technical coordination, stakeholder engagement, policy development, research collaboration, and implementation planning.
“The Working Group will act as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, innovation, and capacity development. It will also support technology transfer, attract investment opportunities, and position Nigeria within emerging global carbon management frameworks,” he said.
Barikor urged members to approach the assignment with professionalism and collaboration to ensure impactful outcomes.
Also speaking, NESREA’s Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Christopher Beka, emphasised that CCUS should be viewed beyond a technological solution, describing it as essential to safeguarding environmental integrity through emission reduction and protection of natural resources.
Coordinator of the Africa Carbon Management Technology and Innovation Centre of Excellence, Richard Victor Osu, projected that CCUS could emerge as a strategic national strength for Nigeria within the next five years if properly harnessed.
The inauguration brought together key stakeholders, including the National Council on Climate Change, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, among others in the public and private sectors.
International partners and advisory bodies supporting the initiative include the International Finance Corporation, Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Initiative, IEAGHG, and the University of Texas at Austin.
The CTIP initiative is championed by the Federal Government through NESREA in partnership with ACMTI and the global Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS Initiative, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to climate action and sustainable industrial development.
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