COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE FOUR-DAY 2022 APWEN NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Preamble
The conference was organized by the Association of Professional of Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) held at the Sandralia Hotel Jabi Abuja from the 19th-22nd September 2022. The Opening ceremony was chaired by the President Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr Tasiu Saad Gidari-Wudil FNSE. Two lectures were delivered by two Guest Speakers, a representative of the ES NCDMB Engr Simbi Wabote, and the MD Heirs Oil and Gas Ltd Engr. Osayande Igiehon, the lead speaker for the panel session was Engr Adokiye Tombomieye, FNSE the GED Upstream NNPC. Other notable guests were the distinguished guests of honour the Minister of Science, technology and innovation Dr (Sen) Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, Mr Azibaola Robert FNSE, Engr. Prof M.S. Haruna FNSE FAEng the EVC NASENI, COREN President, Engr.Ali Alimasuya Rabiu FNSE. The Conference had in attendance over 500 participants most of which were drawn from various APWEN chapters in Nigeria and international delegates.

Highlights

1st half of the decade should be concerned mainly with carbon producing fuels while the 2nd half of the decade energy system that is carbon neutral which is mostly electricity. We need to think of ourselves in the energy transition.

Sources of renewable energy needs to be considered as it affects Nigeria as the energy damage is bound to increase over the years. Because of energy poverty in Nigeria, the conversation of energy transition should be looked into from the Nigerian perspective rather than the western perspective.

Nigeria needs to take control of the narrative and needs to take control for ourselves. Historical, content or per capital basis most of the Hydrocarbons is from the developing world. Africa’s carbon production is 3.5% and Nigeria is less than 0.5%, the big question is how do we engineer our country to achieve carbon neutrality?

The Nigerian Energy transition plan demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment towards net zero and is focused on gas as transition fuel and solar as renewable source, ending energy poverty and lifting people out of energy poverty.

Just energy transition cannot take place without Science, technology and innovation, government does not have capacity to do it alone hence the need for collaborations. Stressed the need for collaborations between the government and energy companies and individual to make the transition achievable

Nigeria’s crude oil and gas remains a key elixir for the sustainable development and more diversified economy but this fossil fuel is anti-energy transition. The replacement of internal combustion engine with electric vehicles will automatically affect market demand for fossil fuel, with about 60% of fossil fuel consumption demand impacted, it will significantly and negatively impact crude oil production. 2060 net zero target is ambitious but not unachievable.

The energy transition plan has not been well thought through just because we want to align with the west, borrow other people’s ideas, it is too premature to start talking of energy transition.

The over-dependence on fossil fuels as primary energy source has led to myriads of problems such as global climatic change, environmental degradation and numerous human health problems. Also, recent rise in energy prices (natural gas, petrol, diesel, electricity) has called for researches toward other cheap, renewable and sustainable alternative energy sources.

Climate change concerns have triggered global campaign for the reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. For a fossil dependent economy like Nigeria, a just energy transition should consider possible decarbonization of the environment alongside shift towards renewable energy sources

Lack of awareness about carbon capture and storage as well as inadequate research materials and equipment was pointed out as a major hindrance to indigenous research in carbon capture. The academia, research institutions, government and other stakeholders in the energy transition chain have important roles to play.

The nature and mix of energy portfolio as well as energy demand and utilization in a nation’s economy are major determinants of its level of economic development. This cannot be done without the Engineers. The number of women in the engineering sector is progressively increasing in Nigeria and the world at Large. Our country has improved greatly because more women are involved in developing the Nation.

As a result of global warming, there is universal agreement for a need to transition as a way of limiting the effects of CO2 emissions and hence climate changes. Different parts of the world have been experiencing the very worst of these climate changes, further highlighting the importance of this transition. It is imperative to mention that while developed countries have somewhat reached the goal of energy self-sufficiency, the developing countries such as Nigeria are still working to ensure reliable electricity supplies.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. We need to be talking more about Nigerian Energy sufficiently
2. Transition should be an enabler to address the Energy sufficiency
3. Nigeria needs to invest in plan taking into consideration tradition energy sources and renewable energy system
4. We should use our resources to push for Energy sufficiency
5. If we have to be part of the solution we have to be enabled to achieve it as we are not the major polluters
6. Technology acquisition is important, devising means and ways and means with policies of Government, ingenuity and creativity from engineers
7. Over 18 million jobs must be created for the energy transition plan created by the government to be achievable.
8. The education of the girl child through mentorship campaign, professional development programs, and motivating female students to pursue Engineering and Science program is an enabler for sustainable development in Nigeria
9. There is need for advocacy of a gradual and flexible approach to the energy transition for developing countries like Nigeria
10. The renewable energy sector still has many unexplored potentials and securing the appropriate funds, partnerships and technology will accelerate large investments in the nation and put it line with the global decarbonization movement.
11. Nigeria must therefore move away from being an exporting country to an energy utilizing country by processing and utilizing our crude oil and gas for domestic energy need in order to drive industrialization create jobs and provide electricity for over 200million Nigerians.
12. It is an individual assignment to be able to deliver initiatives that can deliver a net-zero emission.
13. Nigerian energy transition plan can work with professionalism and not politicking.
14. We should be talking more about energy mix than energy transition
15. Biomass wastes conversion present opportunities for addressing global energy crises and efficient waste management problem.
16. In spite of the fact that the prospects of using biomass for electricity generation is capital intensive, land availability, plant location, scale and choice of technology and distribution of economic benefits are factors that have to be considered in deploying biomass as an off-grid power generation in Nigeria, it is a suitable alternative for sustainable energy transition in Nigeria.
17. The need for the active involvement and participation of women engineers in the decade of Gas initiative by the Federal Government cannot be overemphasized. Diversity has advanced beyond a feel-good effort or a government requirement to a form of corporate social responsibility.
18. This Just Transition can be aided by investment in various Human Capital Development strategies. It will create alternatives to people and regions such as Nigeria trapped in fossil fuel dynamics through new economic opportunity, education and skills trainings and adequate social safety systems. These strategies must be carried out by the Government, the Energy Companies as well as all other Energy Stakeholders