The initiative which was unveiled during a virtual session on June , 2025, is expected to pave the way for a national framework that supports green skills development, inclusive job creation, and coordinated policy reforms.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily– In a significant move to merge climate ambition with employment equity, Nigeria has launched a multi-stakeholder Community of Practice (CoP) on Inclusive Green Jobs.
The initiative which was unveiled during a virtual session on June , 2025, is expected to pave the way for a national framework that supports green skills development, inclusive job creation, and coordinated policy reforms.
The CoP was convened by the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, with technical leadership from the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform and the Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API). The session drew over 60 participants, including lawmakers, civil society representatives, educators, renewable energy professionals, and private sector stakeholders.
While the House Committee on Renewable Energy will lead legislative oversight, the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform—funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs—will facilitate evidence-based policymaking, and API will continue to drive inclusive governance and sustainable development across Africa.
“We’ve had energetic green economy efforts—policies, skills, investments—but they’ve operated in silos,” Chairman of the Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, said. “This CoP is our collective antidote to fragmentation. It must be bold, not bureaucratic; collaborative, not competitive.”
At the heart of the CoP’s agenda are two flagship initiatives: the proposed National Inclusive Green Jobs Act (NIGJA) and the National Green Skills and Employment Alliance (NGSEA). The NIGJA is envisioned as a federal legislative framework that will fformalise green job creation and mandate inclusive employment practices in the renewable energy and low-carbon sectors.
The bill will feature affirmative action provisions, requiring 30% youth participation and 25% women’s representation, and will support state-level adaptation through Green Jobs Compacts.
The NGSEA, on the other hand, will serve as a coordination platform connecting government agencies, training institutions, and employers to align industry demand with training curricula, foster apprenticeships, and enhance workforce readiness.
“If energy transition is not tied to jobs, we risk deepening unemployment,” Knowledge Manager at INCLUDE,Victoria Manya, said. “This initiative ensures solar technicians in Jos and female engineers in Sokoto can say the green economy is working for them.”
In his remarks, Co-Chair of the CoP and API representative, Abra Dangnan, emphasised the role of the Africa Policy Dialogue (APD) model in shaping inclusive policies. “This is not just about drafting policy,” Dangnan stated.
“It’s about building a system where a solar technician in Jos, a female engineer in Sokoto, and a green entrepreneur in Aba can all say: Yes, the green economy is working for me.”
Participants at the inaugural session called for the CoP to establish clear Terms of Reference, ensure coordination between federal and state frameworks, and include youth, women, and persons with disabilities in the process.
Stakeholders also stressed the importance of transparency and synergy with existing advocacy efforts such as those of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).