Summary
Nigeria and the U.S. state of California have signed a five-year agreement at the COP30 Climate Summit to boost cooperation in clean energy, renewable technology, and sustainable development.
Nigeria and the United State state of California have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on clean technology, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
The five-year deal, signed during the UN COP30 Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil, focuses on cooperation in clean transport, green ports, low-carbon fuels, climate adaptation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At COP30, the aim is to create a roadmap of action for the next decade, and the final outcome could include commitments on finance, adaptation to climate impacts, nature, the clean energy transition and possibly phasing down fossil fuel.
Tenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), signed the deal on behalf of Nigeria. She said the partnership demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to attract global investment and accelerate climate-smart growth.
“This MoU with California is about collaboration, technology transfer, and building sustainable partnerships,” Majekodunmi said. “It shows that Nigeria is ready for climate business and committed to identifying opportunities that strengthen our economy while building resilience.”
The agreement will also provide academic exchanges and university partnerships to promote knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and joint innovation across clean energy, aviation, and other green economy sectors.
Director-General Tenioye noted that discussions leading to the agreement began earlier this year following a visit by a California delegation to Nigeria.
The collaboration, she added, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewable energy priorities and Nigeria’s broader goal of diversifying its energy mix.
“We recognise our fossil dependence, but we’re taking deliberate steps toward a sustainable energy transition,” she said. “This agreement marks a step toward cleaner, more resilient growth.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom said the partnership builds on the state’s record of global engagement and climate leadership. He acknowledged that California’s engagement with Africa had been limited in the past but said the agreement with Nigeria signals a renewed subnational outreach.
“We’re now the world’s fourth-largest economy because we recognise that we’re a universal state. We don’t just tolerate our diversity, we celebrate it,” Newsom said.
