By Adeyemi Adekunle
Uyo, Nigeria — Amid Nigeria’s ongoing battle with the impacts of global warming and climate change, environmental experts have urgently called for deliberate measures to reduce methane emissions and other greenhouse gases. These efforts are seen as crucial for a cleaner environment and a safer future for Nigeria.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, experts emphasized the significant role of human activities in methane emissions. Dr. Soberekon Afiesimama from the Environmental Centre for Oil Spill and Gas Flaring (ECOSGF) highlighted that human activities contribute about 60% of methane emissions.
He stressed that collective efforts to mitigate these emissions are essential for Nigeria to achieve its target of reducing methane emissions by 45% by 2025 and 60-75% by 2030.
The event, titled “Methane Abatement in Nigeria: A Special Focus on Anthropogenic Sources of Methane Emission,” was jointly organized by ECOSGF, the African Initiative for Transparency Accountability and Responsible Leadership (AfriTAL), and the Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF), with sponsorship from TrustAfrica.
In his presentation, Dr. Afiesimama explained the severe impact of methane on global warming. Since the Industrial Revolution, methane has contributed to over 30% of the global temperature rise and is the second most abundant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, with more than 80 times the heat-trapping potential of CO2.
“Anthropogenic methane emissions are mainly from three sectors: fossil fuels (~35%), agriculture (~42%), and waste (~20%),” Afiesimama stated.
He added that globally, methane emissions from human activities range between 350 to 390 million tonnes annually, with vegetated wetlands contributing about 83% of natural sources.
Dr. Afiesimama further elaborated on the sources of methane emissions in Nigeria, which follow global patterns. The oil and gas sector is a significant contributor, accounting for 35% of anthropogenic methane emissions, with oil and gas operations alone contributing 23% (78 Mt/year) and coal mining 12% (41 Mt/year).
International environmental rights expert, Christopher Inyang, also spoke at the event, pointing out the dire consequences of global warming, which is driven by greenhouse gases like methane. He questioned Nigeria’s ability to meet its methane reduction targets given ongoing issues such as gas flaring in the Niger Delta, including areas like Ibeno in Akwa Ibom and Onne in Rivers State, waste mismanagement, and other human-induced activities.
Inyang lamented Nigeria’s lack of technological advancement in reintegrating associated gas for beneficial uses. He advocated for a green environment and tree planting as effective strategies to combat global warming. “While humans breathe out carbon dioxide, plants take it in and give out oxygen for our consumption,” he explained.
He highlighted the severe environmental degradation in Ibeno due to continuous gas flaring, which he said causes earth tremors that could lead to earthquakes. Inyang also pointed out the mismanagement of waste disposal sites, like the one on Uyo Village Road, which exacerbates methane emissions.
Dr. Afiesimama proposed a combination of technological solutions and behavioral changes in the oil and gas sector to reduce methane emissions. “Seventy percent of emissions can be abated using natural gas for power production, vehicle fuel (CNG), and LPG. Eliminating the flaring of associated gases and implementing regulatory standards across the oil and gas sector are key,” he stated.
He also suggested that the agricultural and waste management sectors could deploy biodigester technology to mitigate methane emissions. Capturing methane for use as an energy source and adopting alternate wetting and drying techniques in rice cultivation were other recommendations.
Ogo Chukwudi of TrustAfrica, in her keynote address, urged the government and stakeholders to prioritize methane abatement in waste management, agricultural practices, and fossil fuel emissions. She pointed out that while emissions from fossil fuel extraction receive significant attention, emissions from agriculture and waste management are often overlooked, yet they are critical areas for methane abatement and climate change mitigation in Nigeria.
Umo Isua-Ikoh of the Peace Point Development Foundation called for activities that would mitigate climate change and restore the environment to its natural state. Dr. Louis Ogbeifun, presenting a policy brief, urged government agencies to implement and enforce methane reduction policies and encouraged civil society organizations (CSOs) to drive advocacy and community outreach.
Professor Essien Udosen of Ritman University condemned the high rates of waste mismanagement and gas flaring, emphasizing their exacerbation of climate change. He noted, “Methane is more potent than carbon dioxide in global warming. The good news is that it can be captured and converted to biogas for cooking or automotive purposes, benefiting both the environment and the economy.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with environmental challenges, the voices from Uyo highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated efforts to reduce methane emissions and combat climate change.
