Leading energy entrepreneur and Managing Director of Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, will spearhead discussions on Nigeria’s decarbonisation journey at the 2026 Oriental News National Conference, as stakeholders across the energy, finance and industrial sectors converge to chart pathways towards a low-carbon economy.
The conference, organised by Oriental News Nigeria, is scheduled to hold on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Themed “Carbon Capture: Accelerating Decarbonization Initiatives in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry Through Broad Regulatory Reforms,” the summit comes at a critical time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2060.
The conference will examine emerging policy directions, including the proposed National Decarbonization Bill and ongoing implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021. Discussions will also draw from the Decarbonisation Blueprint and Handbook introduced by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to guide emissions reduction across the upstream petroleum sector.
Adesina, a former Chairman of Egbin Power Plc and current Board Chairman of Ikeja Electric, is expected to provide industry perspectives on the environmental impact of fossil fuel emissions and the role of private-sector investment in advancing sustainable energy solutions.
He will also highlight Sahara Group’s net-zero strategy, which is built on three key pillars: expanding cleaner energy sources, improving operational efficiency, and promoting nature-based climate solutions. The company has continued to invest in natural gas as a transition fuel, renewable energy projects, and large-scale reforestation initiatives across several regions of the world.
A major focus of the conference will be the sub-theme: “Addressing Finance Challenges, Investment Strategies, Operational Sustainability, and Climate Change Management.”
The summit will bring together policymakers, regulators, oil and gas operators, manufacturers, financial institutions, development partners and environmental experts to explore practical solutions for achieving Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) objectives.
Participants will examine global best practices in emissions reduction, strategies for eliminating gas flaring, expanding renewable energy adoption, and improving sustainability across industrial operations. Discussions will also address financing constraints, regulatory reforms, and technological innovations that can accelerate the country’s decarbonisation agenda.
Speaking ahead of the event, Convener and Publisher of Oriental News Nigeria, Mrs. Yemisi Izuora, said the conference remains a strategic platform for stakeholders to engage on policy, investment and sustainability issues shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
“Every year, Oriental News Nigeria creates a platform for critical stakeholders in the energy, finance and industrial sectors to discuss regulatory issues and investment opportunities. Our goal is to support both private and public sector initiatives that drive economic growth and sustainable development,” she said.
Now in its fifth year, the annual conference is expected to facilitate robust dialogue on practical decarbonisation solutions, showcase successful case studies, and explore emerging technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), low-carbon hydrogen, digital innovations and alternative fuels.
The event will feature keynote presentations, high-level panel discussions, policy dialogues and networking sessions designed to foster collaboration among industry players and strengthen Nigeria’s pathway to a sustainable, low-carbon future
