The International Labour Organisation (ILO), in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Government of France, has launched the second phase of the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition Project, aimed at turning Nigeria’s climate commitments into practical actions that generate green jobs, protect workers and support inclusive economic growth.
The programme, unveiled on Thursday at the United Nations House in Abuja, signaled a shift from policy design to implementation as Nigeria seeks to align climate action with employment creation, social protection and sustainable development goals.
Running until 2029, the initiative brings together government institutions, labour organisations, employers, climate agencies and development partners to support Nigeria’s Just Transition Guideline and Action Plan, while accelerating the shift to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.
Speaking at the launch, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Vanessa Phala-Moyo, said the second phase builds on progress recorded under the first phase, which began in 2020.
She noted that the initial phase focused on strengthening institutional capacity and promoting understanding of just transition principles among stakeholders to ensure that workers and vulnerable communities were not left behind in the shift to cleaner energy systems.
According to her, a major milestone was Nigeria’s inclusion of just transition principles in its updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, describing it as a significant achievement for the country.
She added that the first phase also produced Nigeria’s Just Transition Guideline and Action Plan, while the current phase would focus on translating those frameworks into concrete actions linked to national energy and economic transition plans.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Kamil Shoretire, said the new phase would require stronger collaboration, improved funding and evidence-based planning to ensure effective implementation.
He said the goal is to support a shift from conventional energy systems to sustainable alternatives while creating green employment opportunities across sectors.
Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Mrs. Tenioye Majekodunmi, stressed that success would depend on implementation, not policy statements, urging stakeholders to convert commitments into measurable results that improve livelihoods.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding renewable energy, promoting clean cooking technologies and implementing climate policies that reduce emissions while improving public health and energy access.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, said climate change is already affecting livelihoods, food systems and productivity in Nigeria, making the initiative both urgent and necessary.
He said the second phase would prioritise green skills development, enterprise support, social protection and workplace reforms to help workers adapt to a changing economy.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria welcomed the initiative but stressed that ecological transition must ensure fairness for workers, warning that climate policies should not impose social and economic burdens on labour.
The labour body called for stronger worker participation in climate policy discussions and the development of frameworks that guarantee decent green jobs.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and a major oil producer, continues to face the challenge of balancing emissions reduction with economic dependence on fossil fuel-related sectors.
The ILO said the new phase is designed to ensure that climate action becomes a driver of decent work, social justice and inclusive development rather than economic disruption.
