FG, Industry Stakeholders Renew Push For Eco-friendly Growth

The federal government and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s industrial sector have reaffirmed their commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, following the closure of the GEF–UNIDO Industrial Energy Efficiency and Resource Efficient Cleaner Production (IEE & RECP) project.

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The project was funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, in partnership with Nigerian institutions and the private sector.

Speaking at the project’s closing ceremony in Abuja yesterday, the minister of environment, Malam Balarua Lawal, said the initiative had demonstrated that Nigeria could industrialise without degrading its environment.

Lawal, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics/GEF Operational Focal Point, Bukar Babagana, described the project’s outcome as a “transformation” rather than just a completion.

“Today, we close a chapter and commission a legacy. When we launched ‘Improving Nigeria’s Industrial Energy Performance and Resource Efficient Cleaner Production Through Programmatic Approaches and Promotion of Innovative Clean Technology Solutions,’ we asked ourselves a bold question: Can Nigeria industrialise without degrading our environment? Can we power our factories without polluting our water bodies? Years later, the answer is clear: Yes. We can. And we have begun,” he said.

The minister noted that one of the most significant achievements was the development of human capacity, with over 200 professionals—including regulators, policymakers, and industry experts—trained in energy efficiency and cleaner production techniques. He added that the initiative had also integrated RECP into university curricula, ensuring future engineers and industrial designers embed sustainability into their work from the outset.

Lawal further disclosed that Nigeria had, for the first time, established a national database of industrial waste hotspots and energy-intensive enterprises, providing a critical tool for policy planning and investment decisions.

He said groundwork had also been completed for the establishment of a National Cleaner Production Centre to serve as a long-term hub for innovation, policy support, and technical advisory services.

“The era of ‘grow first, clean later’ is over. The most competitive industries today are those that use resources efficiently and turn waste into value. We will sustain the gains recorded,” Lawal affirmed, thanking GEF-UNIDO and other partners.

He pledged that the federal fovernment would champion cleaner production practices across all 36 states, particularly among small and medium enterprises.

The national project coordinator for IEE & RECP, Dr Jacob Oladipo, said the project delivered measurable results within participating industries, including cleaner production assessments, technical training, and international certifications.

“This initiative recognised industries demonstrating excellence and early adoption of IEE&RECP methodologies, celebrating outstanding performers and motivating broader industry participation in resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.

“There was also continuous improvement, reinforcing our collective commitment to competitiveness and sustainability within Nigeria’s industrial landscape.

“As the national project coordinator, I am proud to note that these achievements reflect strong collaboration among all stakeholders and align with the vision of UNIDO at the inception of this project,” he said.

Oladipo disclosed that Nigerian Foundries Limited and Dalas Foods Industries had successfully obtained ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 certifications respectively, demonstrating improved energy management and environmental compliance.

He added that companies such as Nestlé Nigeria, Nigerian Foundries, and Avon Crowncaps emerged as top performers in an industry efficiency competition.

UNIDO Programme Manager Karin Reiss-Haimbala, noted that the project revealed strong demand among Nigerian industries for energy efficiency and sustainable production solutions.

“It is clear that industries value these services. We are very happy that we worked with MAN and the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Bank of Industry, and also the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

“It really shows how strongly embedded this project is in the national ownership structures. It is very critical that we take this to scale, to build on the momentum and increase these services for Nigerian industries,” she said.

Also speaking, the director general of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said the programme had helped address one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: high energy costs.

He explained that energy accounted for between 30 and 40 per cent of manufacturing costs, making efficiency improvements critical to competitiveness.

“This programme has enabled manufacturers to optimise energy use, improve processes, and remain environmentally compliant. It is now becoming embedded in how we produce,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He added that the identified top-performing companies would serve as benchmarks to encourage wider adoption across the sector.