Despite ratifying the Paris Agreement in May 2017, experts say Nigeria presently shows little sign of meeting its unconditional target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and of achieving net-zero by 2060.
The country’s emissions grew at a compound annual growth rate of 1% from 1990 to 2021, according to reports, with emissions from gas flares, methane, and other sources expected to reach 350–400 MtCO₂e per year by 2030.
Nigeria ranks 25th globally and second in Africa in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Ikechukwu Ahaka, Lead Project Officer at the Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI), a non-governmental organisation, says the country needs to take decisive steps to cut GHG emissions by 35%.
He was speaking at a press briefing on Friday, 5 June 2026, held in Port Harcourt to commemorate World Environment Day 2026, with the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”