The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to continuous tax reforms as a key strategy to support Nigeria’s energy transition and climate responsibility. Speaking at a policy dialogue on taxation for a fossil fuel phase-out in Lagos, Abbas emphasized that fiscal policy plays a central role in steering investments toward cleaner energy and promoting sustainable development.
Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, the Speaker highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change, citing desertification, flooding, oil pollution, and biodiversity loss as pressing challenges. He noted that the House is focused on enforcing the Climate Change Act of 2021, reviewing the National Climate Change Policy, and strengthening environmental legislation while advancing renewable energy adoption and restoring communities affected by industrial activities.
Abbas stressed that tax legislation can guide Nigeria’s low-carbon development by encouraging innovation, supporting renewable energy expansion, and ensuring that the benefits and costs of the energy transition are equitably shared. He emphasized that reforms must also safeguard livelihoods tied to traditional energy sectors and create new opportunities for jobs and industrial growth. The Speaker praised the collaborative efforts of the Executive and the Legislature in implementing tax reforms that foster transparency, efficiency, and investment-friendly governance.
Civil society voices also weighed in during the dialogue. Auwal Musa of CISLAC called for well-structured tax incentives to drive renewable energy adoption and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, highlighting gaps in the current system where companies exploit tax holidays without proper oversight. Similarly, Dr. Bassi Dieter of NEITI underscored the importance of balancing energy security and energy poverty while leveraging Nigeria’s rare earth minerals to develop a sustainable domestic energy economy.
Concluding the event, legislators and civil society representatives agreed that lawmaking must remain dynamic, adapting to evolving environmental and economic realities. The National Assembly affirmed its role in refining tax frameworks and ensuring governance measures that support Nigeria’s net zero targets, with the overarching goal of a cleaner, resilient energy future that benefits all Nigerians.
source: punch