The Trump Administration Supports Nigeria’s Fossil Fuel Development and Modifies Energy Policy

The Trump administration has supported Nigeria’s development of fossil fuels while criticizing Western energy policy as “colonial” and “nonsensical.”

In a significant change in stance about the use of fossil fuels by resource-rich African countries, such as Nigeria, the US government over the weekend characterized the current energy sector relationships, which are led by that nation, as absurd, blatant, and a holdover from colonial times.

Nigeria, which is in critical need of foreign finance to fully explore and develop its natural resources that have mostly remained untapped owing to a lack of capital, is much relieved by the Donald Trump administration’s new policy approach.

American multinational corporations ExxonMobil and Chevron are two of the largest oil firms with extensive activities in Nigeria.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who is a keynote speaker at the 10th edition of the annual “Powering Africa Summit,” assured African leaders over the weekend in Washington, DC, that the Trump administration will not prescribe to Africa how it plans to use its wealth of resources.

Nigeria’s ability to fully utilize its abundant natural resources, especially oil and gas, has been severely hampered by the global shift towards cleaner energy. This is because the West has been pressuring Nigeria and other African nations to switch from fossil fuels to what it claims are cleaner energy sources.

After the push, as investment dwindled and stranded assets grew, the demand for Nigeria’s main exports steadily decreased, making it more challenging for the country to obtain capital for new exploration and production initiatives. More than 13 years have passed since Nigeria last received a significant investment prior to the new government.

The US and Europe have persisted in pressuring Africa to reduce its production of oil and other “dirtier” hydrocarbons, even though the region contributes less than 3% of the world’s methane emissions.

Even though more than 80 million Nigerians lack a dependable source of electricity, President Joe Biden dispatched John Jerry, his Special Envoy on Climate Change, in 2022 to try and persuade the country to cut back on its use of fossil fuels. Gas provides up to 80% of Nigeria’s electricity.

To support its industrialization effort, Nigeria is relying on its 209 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas and more than 37 billion barrels of oil reserves.
Nigeria is in a challenging position since it lacks the financial resources and technological know-how to fully utilize the potential of solar, wind, and hydropower.

However, in a video released by the Voice of America (VOA) and viewed by THISDAY, Wright, who was greeted with a thunderous applause from his audience, said that the climate change debate was not one of the top ten most pressing issues facing the world.

“We want Africa to require significantly more energy,” he stated. That’s what Africans will do. That’s what Africans will do. In that endeavor, the United States is delighted to collaborate with you. This government isn’t interested in coming to tell you what to do with your energy system, at least. This is bad, and this is excellent. That is simply absurd.

Energy is being misunderstood. I simply cannot tolerate this patronizing post-colonial mindset.

Let’s take a moment to consider the United States. We have the electrical grid, and there are states where hydropower is the primary source of electricity. In some of our states, oil is the primary source of electricity. Coal is the primary source of electricity in several of our states.

Natural gas is the largest source of electricity in the majority of states. However, it varies in each of our states. There are various resources available. There are several needs. Different economic levels are determined by individuals in marketplaces.

Africa has a wealth of natural resources, but for years, Western nations—including mine—have openly refused to develop coal. Avoid developing coal. Coal is nasty. That’s just bullshit. 100% of it is nonsense.

For a century, coal has been the world’s main source of electricity. Coal improved our world, increased opportunity, and increased life expectancy. And for many years to come, coal will be the world’s main source of electricity. That isn’t a rule. That isn’t what you want. That is simply a fact of life.

Wright noted that as a scientist, he had dedicated his entire life to studying the problems. He clarified that he has been discussing climate change for 20 years and acknowledged that, although being a true physical reality, trade-offs must be made.

But if you read the economics of climate change and look at the physical statistics, it is difficult to rank climate change among the top five global issues, the US energy secretary insisted. To be completely honest, it is not one of the top ten global issues.

“We ought to be conscious of it. We ought to consider it. Although the advancement of technology will eventually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, using it as the basis for policy or guidance has not only hindered Africa’s ability to finance or invest, but it has also had a negative impact on our own communities by obscuring what is good and what is wrong.

“We have seen significant industrial economies de-industrialize. They’re not reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

All they’re doing is raising the cost and decreasing the dependability of their own electricity. Additionally, all manufacturers of energy-intensive products are just moving outside of such nations. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is not what it is. That only consists of moving emissions.

It didn’t matter where the energy came from, Wright remarked, adding that the main purpose of energy was to promote food security, make people live longer and healthier lives, and expand human opportunity.

He reaffirmed that the Trump administration will not stop Africa, pointing out that because the government deals with numbers, facts, science and economics, and trade-offs, its personnel are the best knowledgeable about climate change.

“However, will we continue to prioritize climate change over human lives and opportunities?” “Definitely not,” he emphasized.

Speaking at the event, which was held close to the White House, other Trump officials declared that the days of avoiding investments in fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy were over.

Troy Fitrell, a former ambassador to Guinea and top State Department official, stated, “There are no restrictions anymore on what kind of energy we can promote.”

Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum (Oil), has consistently stated that it would be unjust to force Africa, which produced a very small amount of emissions, to refrain from using its resources, even in the face of recommendations for Nigeria to stop using fossil fuels.

Lokpobiri reiterated at the recently completed Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) that Nigeria had no intention of depending on foreign funds or assistance to help it make the switch from fossil fuels to greener energy sources. He maintained that significant investment in the oil industry must go on.

To speed up the continent’s hydrocarbon exploitation, a few African nations have established the $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) in partnership with Afreximbank.

Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), had similarly maintained that there was no way for Nigeria to “phase out” fossil fuels right once. Komolafe underlined that Nigeria’s national interests should be taken into account when developing the energy transition plan.

At the event, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, underlined the necessity of enhancing US-African cooperation in order to combat energy poverty, promote sustainable development, and stimulate economic expansion.

Speaking on behalf of Nigeria at the summit, Adelabu emphasized the noteworthy advancements made possible by programs like Power Africa, which he claimed had been essential in boosting investments, facilitating policy reforms, and increasing access to electricity throughout Nigeria and the African continent.

Bolaji Tunji, the minister’s spokesperson, said in a statement that the summit brought together international investors, energy sector experts, and African leaders to address the continent’s energy concerns and open up chances for sustainable development.

The minister also praised the recent introduction of “Mission 300,” a bold plan to bring energy to 300 million Africans by 2030. He emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to using technology transfer, infrastructure development, and capacity building to speed the energy transition and spur economic growth, and he urged for deeper collaborations among stakeholders to accomplish the aim.

The US diplomat reiterated his nation’s commitment to working with African countries to combat energy poverty and advance sustainable development during Adelabu’s meeting with Wright.

He was excited about expanding cooperation in off-grid alternatives, renewable energy, and private sector investments.

According to Adelabu, the event also provided a forum for establishing strategic connections with international investors and business executives.