COP31: OSUN EXPANDS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS ON CLIMATE INVESTMENT, AGRICULTURE, BRIQUETTE PRODUCTION AND ELECTRIC MOBILITY

Antalya, Türkiye – 12/11/2026 – osunstate.gov.ng

Osun State is strengthening its engagement with federal institutions to expand climate-smart investment opportunities, integrate agriculture into its climate adaptation strategy and accelerate the development of clean energy and electric mobility initiatives.

This follows a series of high-level engagements undertaken at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, by the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Governor of Osun State on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe.

The engagements involved the Director-General of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi; Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV); and the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The engagements also involved representatives of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and other relevant institutions.

NIRSAL RECOMMENDS SECOND VOLUME OF OSUN’S CLIMATE-SMART INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

A major outcome of the engagement with the Director-General of NIRSAL was his recommendation that Osun State develop a second volume of its Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, incorporating agriculture as a major component of the state’s climate adaptation and investment strategy.

The recommendation aligns with Osun’s recognition that climate resilience must extend beyond conventional environmental interventions to address food security, agricultural productivity, water security, rural livelihoods and the economic resilience of farming communities.

Prof. Obuaku-Igwe explained that incorporating agriculture into the next volume would provide an opportunity to identify bankable projects that respond to climate risks while creating economic opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses, women and young people.

She noted that climate-smart agriculture must become an integral part of Osun’s broader green economy strategy, particularly as changing rainfall patterns, flooding and other climate-related pressures increasingly affect agricultural production and rural livelihoods.

OSUN TO COMMENCE BRIQUETTE PRODUCTION IN 2027 WITH FEDERAL SUPPORT

Another important development emerging from the engagements is Osun State’s plan to commence briquette production in 2027, with support from relevant federal government institutions.

The initiative will focus on converting agricultural residues and other suitable organic waste materials into alternative solid fuels, creating additional value from waste while supporting cleaner energy alternatives and circular economy development.

The programme is expected to benefit from federal government support, technical cooperation and capacity strengthening to develop local expertise, establish production capacity and create a sustainable implementation framework.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the initiative presents opportunities for youth and women entrepreneurship, small-scale manufacturing, waste recovery and the development of local green enterprises.

The planned intervention builds on Osun’s ongoing circular economy and waste-to-wealth programmes, which have supported skills development, recycling-based livelihoods and the growth of green enterprises across the state.

NESREA AND SON TO COLLABORATE WITH OSUN ON ELECTRIC MOBILITY

In another significant development, the Director-General of NESREA assured Osun State of the agency’s willingness to collaborate with the state, alongside the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on electric mobility.

The proposed collaboration will explore opportunities to strengthen the institutional, environmental and standards frameworks required to support the development and adoption of electric mobility solutions in Osun.

This presents an opportunity for the state to deepen its clean transportation agenda, encourage innovation, strengthen technical capacity and explore the development of an enabling environment for electric vehicles and associated infrastructure.

The proposed engagement with NESREA and SON is particularly important in ensuring that electric mobility development is supported by appropriate environmental safeguards, technical standards and regulatory compliance.

Prof. Obuaku-Igwe noted that the collaboration would complement Osun’s broader renewable energy and climate investment priorities, while opening opportunities for investment, technology transfer and local capacity development.

STRENGTHENING FEDERAL–SUB-NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

The engagements with the Energy Commission of Nigeria and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles also provided opportunities to explore areas of collaboration in energy planning, cleaner energy alternatives, renewable energy development and sustainable transportation.

According to Prof. Obuaku-Igwe, the engagements have reinforced the importance of stronger institutional partnerships between federal agencies and sub-national governments.

She observed that federal institutions possess technical expertise, institutional frameworks and sector-specific mandates that can significantly complement the implementation priorities of state governments.

She called on federal ministries, departments and agencies, development finance institutions, private-sector investors and technical partners to deepen their engagement with sub-national governments.

“States are where policies meet communities and where investments translate into tangible development outcomes. We must therefore move beyond occasional engagements and build structured partnerships that connect institutional capacity, investment opportunities and local implementation priorities,” she stated.

POSITIONING OSUN FOR AN INCLUSIVE GREEN ECONOMY

The engagements form part of Osun State’s broader efforts to position itself as a sub-national leader in climate governance, renewable energy development, circular economy innovation and climate-smart investment.

Through its 10-Year Climate Action Plan, Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, Circular Economy Action Plan and Renewable Energy Development and Regulation Policy 2025–2040, the state is pursuing an integrated approach to climate resilience, sustainable economic development and investment mobilisation.

The proposed second volume of the Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, planned briquette production programme and emerging electric mobility partnership opportunities represent important pathways for deepening this approach.

Prof. Obuaku-Igwe reiterated that Osun’s climate ambition goes beyond environmental protection to encompass economic diversification, job creation, energy access, agricultural resilience and improved livelihoods.

She concluded:

“Climate action must move beyond commitments and become investments, partnerships and measurable development outcomes. We must connect the technical capacity and resources available across federal institutions with the implementation opportunities that exist within our states. For Osun, our ambition is to build an inclusive, climate-resilient green economy in which agriculture, renewable energy, circular economy and sustainable livelihoods reinforce one another.”

The Osun State Government will continue to pursue strategic institutional partnerships at COP31 and beyond, with a focus on translating climate commitments into practical programmes, investment opportunities and tangible benefits for its people.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Osun State Governor.