Education
Onuigbo honoured with Solar Energy Fellowship for climate action – EnviroNews
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Sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, has been honoured with a Fellowship of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (FSESN) in recognition of his contributions to climate change advocacy and action.
Onuigbo, President of GLOBE Legislators International, a network of parliamentarians in more than 99 countries, received the honour alongside other prominent Nigerians at the 43rd National Solar Energy Forum/Conference (NASEF 2026).
The recognition comes amid Nigeria’s continuing energy access challenges and growing efforts to promote renewable energy, particularly solar power, as a means of advancing sustainable development, expanding electricity access and reducing carbon emissions.
In a letter of appreciation addressed to the President of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN), Dr. Sunny Akpoyibo, Onuigbo described the fellowship as an acknowledgement of his contributions to climate action in Nigeria, Africa and globally.
He highlighted his role in sponsoring the Climate Change Act 2021, which established a legal and institutional framework for climate governance in Nigeria.
According to him, the legislation provides a framework for advancing climate action across different sectors of the economy while supporting Nigeria’s commitments to climate resilience, low-carbon development and the transition to net-zero emissions.
He noted that the Act recognises the importance of clean and renewable energy in achieving these objectives, underscoring the need for increased investment in and adoption of solar power to address the country’s energy challenges.
Onuigbo said the fellowship represented not only recognition of his past contributions but also a call to greater responsibility in promoting climate action and clean energy development.
“I consider this Fellowship not only a recognition of past contributions but also a call to greater responsibility,” he said.
He pledged to deepen his engagement with the society and support initiatives aimed at expanding solar energy adoption, strengthening climate governance and unlocking the environmental, economic and social benefits of the clean energy transition.
In a separate statement on the recognition, the former member of the House of Representatives reaffirmed his commitment to translating climate legislation into practical action, accelerating Nigeria’s energy transition and advancing the pathway to net-zero emissions.
He described solar power as central to the transition, citing its potential to extend electricity access to underserved and unserved communities, promote green industrialisation, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions.
“Solar energy is central to this transition. Its potential to expand energy access to underserved and unserved, drive green industrialisation, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions makes it indispensable to a sustainable future,” he said.
Onuigbo added that the transition to clean energy should be viewed not merely as an environmental necessity but also as an economic opportunity and a responsibility to future generations.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition and encouraged to do even more in the pursuit of a cleaner, greener and more sustainable world,” he said.
The fellowship highlights the link between climate legislation and renewable energy deployment, particularly the need to translate policy commitments into measurable outcomes for communities and the economy.
For Nigeria, wider adoption of solar energy could help address electricity supply gaps, support local enterprise and reduce dependence on carbon-intensive energy sources.
Onuigbo reiterated the importance of converting the country’s climate commitments into tangible benefits through broader access to clean energy, stronger climate governance and sustainable development.