CISLAC, Lawmakers Chart Legislative Path for Fossil Fuel Phase-Out, Just Energy Transition

As part of efforts to strengthen climate responsibility and promote sustainable resource governance, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has convened a landmark policy dialogue with legislators on fossil fuel phase-out and Nigeria’s energy transition, setting the tone for critical engagements on the future of Africa’s energy landscape.

The high-level engagement brought together parliamentary representatives, civil society leaders, and policy stakeholders to shape legislative pathways for renewable adoption, climate action, and equitable economic growth in Lagos on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Hon. Akin Rotimi described the session as “timely and strategic,” aligning directly with the National Assembly’s Legislative Agenda (2023–2027).

He outlined several priority commitments including the strengthening of NESREA, enforcement of the Climate Change Act, accelerating renewable energy adoption, reducing gas flaring, and restoring polluted communities.

Rotimi reaffirmed Parliament’s central role in designing fiscal instruments that stimulate renewable investment while protecting livelihoods. “The transition must empower, not exclude. We must protect workers who depend on traditional energy value chains,” he said.

During his welcome address, CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), emphasised the urgency of moving away from fossil fuel dependency, highlighting Nigeria’s vulnerabilities as an oil-dependent economy confronted by climate threats and the global shift toward decarbonisation.

“This conversation could not be more timely. Nigeria stands between its long-standing dependence on fossil fuels and the imperative to pursue a cleaner, more resilient, and economically inclusive future.”

He underscored the importance of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which maps a route to net-zero emissions by 2060. According to him, the ETP is only viable if backed by strong fiscal policy reforms, transparent taxation systems, and incentivised capital inflows into renewable and transition fuels.

Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria remains energy-insecure and fossil-dependent, with renewable penetration still below 10 per cent of total energy consumption. This reality leaves millions vulnerable to electricity deficits, pollution, and environmental hazards.

Rafsanjani praised Nigeria’s climate progress, notably the Climate Change Act of 2021, which established the National Council on Climate Change and mandated a national Climate Action Plan. However, he insisted that implementation must move beyond institutional frameworks.

“The Legislature has gone beyond establishing the frameworks, it must ensure effective implementation, transparency, accountability, and mobilise climate financing.”

He warned against harmful fiscal regimes that provide tax holidays to fossil fuel enterprises, cautioning that poorly designed incentives undermine public interest.

Parliament, he argued, must steer fiscal instruments toward decarbonisation pathways that: Drive divestment from high-emission assets; expand access to transition fuels, including natural gas; stimulate investment in solar, wind, hydrogen and other clean technologies; protect national revenues from wasteful incentive structures, and promote equitable transition outcomes for disadvantaged communities.

Rafsanjani highlighted a less-recognised obstacle to climate progress: intra-African mobility barriers. He lamented visa challenges faced by researchers, activists, and innovators across the continent, noting that many Nigerian delegates are denied entry or face prolonged delays when traveling to African climate summits.

He linked cross-border restrictions to stalled policy collaboration: “Energy transition is not only a technical matter, it is a question of access, mobility, and African solidarity. When African citizens cannot travel to African countries, we weaken the momentum of regional cooperation.”

He called on parliamentarians to pursue continental-level mobility reforms, insisting that free movement is essential to a just transition.

On his part, Hon. Oluwole Oke cautioned against the global backslide into fossil dependency. He cited the United States’ repeated exit from the Paris Agreement, Canada’s reopening of oil projects, Europe’s coal resurgence following the Russia–Ukraine conflict, and Nigeria’s escalating coal extraction in Okaba, Kogi State.

“We must decide where we stand as a Parliament and as a people. We must preserve the planet, there is no other home.”

Similarly, Hon. Fatoba Olusola Steve, while speaking from a public health perspective, linked fossil taxation to environmental and health justice. He noted that emissions from fossil fuels trigger asthma, respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, and poison soils and water in mining communities.

He insisted that fiscal reform must complement environmental regulation to phase out toxic pollutants: “As we transition to low-carbon fuels, fiscal policy must protect the health of Nigerians, especially vulnerable groups.”

Speaking further, Rafsanjani expressed gratitude to legislators and regional partners such as Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), stressing the importance of collaborative climate policy.

He urged lawmakers to demand transparency in incentive administration; conduct evidence-based oversight on tax exemptions; champion continent-wide mobility reforms that strengthen African climate cooperation, and safeguard Nigeria’s long-term prosperity through a just energy transition.

The event also had in attendance,  HoR committee chairpersons, clerks, the Chairman of the African Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows and Tax (APNIFFT), civil society organisations, and the media.