Adesina: Food, Energy Security Vital To Nigeria’s Economic Growth

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina has disclosed that Nigeria needs food and energy security for sustainable economic development.

Adesina spoke on a panel session at the ongoing 2023 Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES).

The session was themed ‘Security versus Energy Transition – Global Perspectives for Sustainable Energy Future’.

Adesina was represented at the event by Lamin Barrow, director-general of the AfDB Nigeria country department.

“With a population expected to nearly double from 217 million in 2022 to over 400 million in 2050, Nigeria will emerge as the world’s third most populous nation,” the AfDB president said.

“There is a need to guarantee food and energy security by building a domestic economy resilient to global and regional shocks, which have increased in frequency and intensity.

“We recognise the bold reforms ongoing in the oil and gas sectors and the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan.

“If fully implemented, these will provide viable solutions for meeting the country’s energy needs and ensure achievement of net zero by 2060.”

Adesina expressed AfDB’s commitment to work with Nigeria’s government, development partners and the private sector to implement the energy transition plan.