Yemisi Izuora
A former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has challenged governments to provide enabling policies while financial institutions should support the transition to address issues of climate change with patient capital.
In addition he urged technology providers to continue to meet, while industry stakeholders must remain committed to measurable environmental outcomes.
He stated that sustainability is now more than simply about compliance, adding that it has become an advantage, and a measure of corporate leadership.
He added that climate change is a shared challenge that demands collective responsibility.
He spoke at Oriental News Nigeria 2026 Conference in Lagos on the theme, “Carbon Capture: Accelerating Decarbonisation Initiatives in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry Through Broad Regulatory Reforms,” with sub-theme: Addressing finance challenges, investment strategies, operational sustainability and climate change management.”
Mohammed, who currently is Chairman of Portland Gas Limited, commended the organizers of the summit for bringing together policymakers and regulators and investors.
He said that decarbonisation is no longer a distant speculation, adding that it has all the necessity, and that carbon capture, cleaner fuel and enabling regulatory reforms are essential pillars in achieving that mission.
The ex-minister said that the sub-theme of the event directly drew attention to finance challenges, investment strategies, operational sustainability, and climate change management.
According to him, these are the critical enablers of a successful decarbonization.
He further said that financing remains one of the greatest barriers to scaling clean energy infrastructure across Africa.
He said: “We therefore need motivating financing modules, blended finance, green bonds, carbon markets, and long-term investment frameworks that reduce project risk and encourage cleaner, greater private sector participation.
“Regulatory certainty, transparent policies and attractive fiscal incentives would be instrumental in unlocking millions of dollars required to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. Operational sustainability must equally remain at the heart of our industry. As we build new infrastructure, we must embrace digital technology, improve operational efficiency, minimize methane emissions, strengthen environmental stewardship, and invest continuously in local capacity development.”
He added: “As one of Nigeria’s indigenous clean energy companies, Portland gas has been committed to expanding access to cleaner energies by investing in compressed natural gas, (CNG), energy infrastructure, virtual pipeline systems, and gas-to-power solutions. Our green network of CNG facilities, investments in water and daughter stations, and support for cleaner transportation and industrial energy solutions are helping businesses and communities reduce emissions while lowering energy costs.
“Every liter of diesel displayed by natural gas represents a meaningful deduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Every fleet converted to CNG moves Nigeria one step closer to a cleaner and more sustainable future. These are not merely business milestones. They are contributions to national climate objectives and the global pursuit of net zero. However, infrastructure alone cannot achieve this transformation.
“At Portland Gas Limited, we will reaffirm our unwavering commitment to this collective journey. We will continue investing in cleaner purses, expanding gas accessibility, supporting carbon reduction initiatives, adopting best environmental practices, and collaborating with regulators, investors, and development partners to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a low carbon economy. The energy transition is not a race that any organization or nation can win alone.
“It is a shared responsibility that requires partnership, courage and vision. Together, let us seize this opportunity to build an extractive industry that is cleaner, more resilient, globally competitive, and capable of delivering sustainable prosperity for our nation.”