***AS HallowMace Foundation Hosts 6th Annual Legislative Conference on Energy Security, Sustainability
The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has called for legislative action in Nigeria’s quest for a sustainable energy future to address safety and accessibility concerns surrounding the CNG policy.
Prof Sulaiman spoke on Wednesday when he delivered a key note address at a conference focused on the theme, “Legislative Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Enhancing Energy Security, Reducing Transportation Costs, and Lowering Carbon Emissions through the CNG Policy” at the event organized by the HallowMace Foundation in Abuja.
He also called for stronger legislative measures to support Nigeria’s energy transition.
Prof. Sulaiman emphasized the importance of enhancing energy security, reducing transportation costs, and lowering carbon emissions through the implementation of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) policy.
He highlighted the adverse effects of Nigeria’s recent fuel subsidy removal, which has led to higher transportation and energy costs.
Prof Sulaiman however was full of praises for the introduction of the CNG policy by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a viable solution but reiterated the need for legislative backing to ensure its success.
“The policy must be anchored in legislation to ensure consistency and effective oversight,” he said.
He outlined three key legislative pathways to include strengthening oversight to ensure public and private sector alignment with sustainable energy goals.
The second pathway according to him, is to anact new laws or amend existing ones to promote clean energy investment.
The third option he said is by increasing public awareness of sustainable energy options through constituency engagement.
Prof. Sulaiman cited Rwanda’s success in expanding electricity access through regulatory reforms as an example for Nigeria to follow.
He also urged lawmakers to prioritize budget allocations for renewable energy projects and incentivize private-sector investment to enhance the nation’s energy infrastructure.
In his welcome address, the convener, Amb. Anderson Osiebe, and founder of the HallowMace Foundation Africa(HAFA) highlighted the urgency of rethinking energy, transportation, and environmental policies in Nigeria.
He underscored the foundation’s dual mandate of strengthening legislative institutions and fostering democratic consolidation through targeted advocacy, workshops, and strategic dialogue.
Osiebe lauded the collaborative efforts of HAFA’s partners, including NILDS and the National Orientation Agency, in fostering legislative discourse.
He emphasized the potential of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce transportation costs, enhance energy security, and lower carbon emissions, calling for sustained legislative efforts to integrate these policies into national development frameworks.
Among the dignitaries present were Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, Director General of NILDS.
Osiebe urged participants to engage actively, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s energy and environmental challenges.
The conference concluded with a call for legislative action to ensure energy sustainability, reduce economic burdens on citizens, and position Nigeria for a greener, more equitable future.