Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced that job creation is central to the nation’s energy transition plans, with strategies embedded in national policy to ensure workforce protection and inclusive growth
The Nigeria’s Federal Government has unequivocally declared that job creation stands as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s ambitious energy transition plans.
This significant commitment was revealed by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, while speaking at the IEA Global Commission on People Centred Energy Transitions in Brussels.
Minister Onyejeocha disclosed that labour and employment strategies have been formally integrated into the national energy policy, firmly emphasising that Nigeria’s crucial shift to cleaner energy must unequivocally prioritise workforce protection and inclusive growth.
Green jobs Nigeria are a key focus, with the Minister’s media office quoting her as stating, “Recognising that people must be at the centre of the energy transition, we have embedded labour and employment strategies into our national energy planning.”
She meticulously outlined the government’s comprehensive multi pronged approach, which notably includes the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi CNG).
This initiative aims to effectively harness Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to provide both affordable and cleaner energy, simultaneously generating new employment opportunities across the nation.
Onyejeocha also highlighted the newly approved National Employment Policy, a crucial document that explicitly prioritises green jobs and skills development tailored specifically for women, youth, and workers within the informal sector.
“Our approach is grounded in the principle that the energy transition must create opportunity, not dislocation,” she asserted, underscoring the vital need for robust social protection mechanisms and extensive community engagement throughout this transformative process.
To effectively translate these forward thinking policies into tangible action, the government launched the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) in April 2025.
This dynamic initiative is already making significant strides, actively training auto technicians in the intricate process of converting petrol powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas systems.
Our approach is grounded in the principle that the energy transition must create opportunity, not dislocation.
Concurrently, it is equipping women and youth with essential renewable energy skills, preparing them for the evolving demands of the green economy.
“Through LEEP, thousands of Nigerians are being equipped with new skills for the green economy,” Onyejeocha noted, citing examples such as the deployment of solar kiosks and other innovative projects.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to a “just, inclusive, and people centred” energy transition under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She extended a compelling call for global collaboration, stressing the importance of ensuring that the clean energy shift delivers not only profound environmental benefits but also significant economic justice for all.
“We are committed to building a future where clean energy delivers not just sustainability, but shared prosperity and dignity of work,” she stated with conviction.
Minister Onyejeocha explained that these proactive moves strategically position Nigeria as an emerging leader in effectively balancing energy reforms with essential labour market safeguards.
This approach, she suggested, offers a potential model for other developing nations navigating the complex energy transition landscape.
With the successful rollout of LEEP and the dynamic Pi CNG initiative, the Federal Government aims to conclusively demonstrate that decarbonisation efforts and robust job growth can, in fact, harmoniously coexist.
The Habeeb Okunola Foundation (HOF) transformed a standard community gathering into a powerful launchpad for female entrepreneurship in Brampton, Canada, on the 13th of March 2026, delivering a high-impact celebration of International Women’s Day 2026. Far beyond a ceremonial event, the foundation, in partnership with Make Mee Elegant Foundation, the City of Brampton, and The Salvation Army, orchestrated a comprehensive day of skill-building and recognition designed to create tangible economic change for local women.
At the heart of the initiative was an intensive hands-on training session held within the welcoming walls of The Salvation Army’s Brampton premises. The room buzzed with creative energy as women from the local community immersed themselves in learning practical, marketable crafts. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, they mastered the intricacies of crafting durable flip-flop slippers, the delicate art of cloth stoning to embellish fabrics, and the precise work of creating fancy key holders. The goal was clear: to provide these women with immediate, accessible tools to generate side income.
High Chief Dr Habeeb Olalekan Okunola, the founder of the foundation and President of CINI Holdings, who was represented by Mrs Kehinde Adelaja-Okoroafor was present to witness and coordinate the transformation firsthand. She articulated the driving philosophy behind the event, stating that for the founder of HOF, empowerment is the most meaningful expression of wealth. She further stressed that the objective was not just to teach a skill, but to ignite a transition, turning attendees from talented individuals into confident business owners who could leverage their newly acquired abilities to build sustainable livelihoods.
In a decisive move to bridge the gap between learning and earning, the foundation identified three exceptional students from the workshop and provided them with immediate start-up capital. This direct financial boost was met with visible joy and relief, ensuring that their newfound skills would not lie dormant but would instead be fueled into immediate entrepreneurial action.
The city’s leadership took significant notice of the foundation’s impactful work. His Worship, Mayor Patrick Brown, offered a ringing endorsement of HOF’s initiative, commending their choice to invest in Brampton’s women. He personally extended his gratitude to High Chief Okunola with an official letter of thanks, acknowledging the foundation’s exceptional contribution to the community and extending an invitation for a formal meeting in May 2026 to explore future avenues for partnership with the City of Brampton.
On the 14th of March momentum carried into the day with an awards ceremony, where the Deputy Mayor stood in for Mayor Brown to help spotlight the achievements of local heroines. The event honoured a selection of prominent Brampton women whose tireless efforts and significant impact have helped shape the community. This dual focus empowering the next wave of female entrepreneurs while celebrating established leaders perfectly encapsulated the shared mission of the Habeeb Okunola Foundation and Make Mee Elegant Foundation to champion the development and success of women at every stage of their journey. The event served as a powerful testament to what international collaboration and community-focused action can achieve in the pursuit of gender equality and economic empowerment.
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