…launches Workers’ Charter of Demand on Just Transition for Trade Unions in Nigeria.

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

As Nigeria moves towards renewable energy, stakeholders has called for policies that protect workers’ rights from job losses and exploitation, emphasizing the need for a fair and inclusive transition.

This call was made at the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Just and Green Transition for Trade Unions in Nigeria Project, themed “Energy Transition, Opportunities, and Dilemma for a Just and Green Transition”, organized by FES in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather, and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE) on Thursday in Abuja.

The Resident Representative of FES Nigeria, Lennart Oestergaard, stressed that the shift to clean energy must not come at the expense of workers’ livelihoods.

He highlighted the climate crisis, citing rising temperatures and extreme weather events as signs that urgent action is needed.

However, he cautioned that without proper planning, workers in traditional energy sectors could suffer.

He said, “As Nigeria transitions to a greener economy, we must ensure that workers are not displaced or exploited.

“A just transition means ensuring job security, fair wages, and social protections for those affected by the shift away from fossil fuels.

“We feel the climate crisis in our daily lives, from flooding to heatwaves; But the transition to a green economy must not forget the people—workers and communities—who will be directly impacted.”

During his remarks, the Team Lead at GGT-Nigeria, Tunde Selman, presented the Workers’ Charter of Demand on Just Transition for Trade Unions in Nigeria, outlining key labor rights in the clean energy shift.

According to him, the Workers Charter is a call to action, not only a document and It offers a road map for making sure that workers’ rights are not sacrificed for economic growth.

In order to ensure that Nigerian workers are not disadvantaged in the transition to renewable energy, Selman underlined that a just transition must include organized policies that address social justice and economic prosperity.

He said, “The Workers’ Charter is not just a document; it is a call to action.

“Economic development must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability and social justice.”

The Executive Secretary of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Dr. Tosin Akande, warned that without strong policies, many workers could lose their jobs.

She said, “A clean energy transition cannot succeed if workers are neglected.

“We must invest in reskilling and upskilling programs to ensure that workers in the fossil fuel industry can transition into renewable energy jobs.”

During a panel discussion, labor leaders urged the government to implement policies that protect workers while advancing Nigeria’s climate goals.

They also called for increased investments in renewable energy infrastructure and social protection programs.

The event ended with a commitment from stakeholders to push for policies that balance environmental sustainability with workers’ rights, ensuring a just and inclusive transition to clean energy.