Nigeria's carbon capture opportunity: Turning CO2 into business and jobs without delaying emissions cuts

Nigeria is exploring carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) as a way to diversify its oil and gas economy. The article outlines how captured CO2 could become a resource for chemicals, building materials, and synthetic fuels, while also creating new industries in carbon accounting, verification, and monitoring. But the author stresses that CCUS must not become an excuse to keep emitting unabated, and that the country needs clear regulations, geological assessments, and credible carbon markets. For investors and policymakers, the key takeaway is that Nigeria's carbon economy depends on more than just geology. It requires technical capacity, transparent monitoring, and incentives that tie financial returns to real emissions reductions. The opportunity is real, but it is conditional on building the right infrastructure and governance from the start.