Pushes forward with clean energy and eco-friendly development drive.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State — The Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sir Victor Antai , KJW, Ph.D, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, represented the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Chief (Dr.) Samuel Ogbuku, at the TED Countdown Anchor Event at EUI Even Center, Abacha road, GRA Phase 3, Port Harcourt, where he reaffirmed the Commission’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and the fight against climate change in the Niger Delta.
Delivering a keynote address titled “The Next Now: Saving the Niger Delta Environment,” Dr. Ogbuku, represented by Sir Antai, commended TEDxPort Harcourt for creating a platform that promotes dialogue on sustainable development and climate action. He emphasized that the Niger Delta region, though richly endowed with natural and mineral resources, remains one of the most environmentally vulnerable areas in Nigeria due to decades of oil exploration and pollution.
According to him, “Our region, though the energy hub of Nigeria, is at the frontline of climate and environmental challenges. The Niger Delta is not just rich in oil and gas; it is also endowed with fertile lands and abundant aquatic resources now threatened by pollution.”
Dr. Ogbuku explained that these environmental and developmental challenges led to the establishment of the NDDC through the NDDC Act of 2000, with a mission to facilitate the rapid, even, and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative, and politically peaceful.
He noted that the Commission’s “Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative, powered by solar energy, has already begun transforming lives across the region. The solar-powered streetlight programme, he said, is reducing crime, stimulating economic activity, and creating safer communities that once lived in darkness.
The NDDC Managing Director further explained that the solar project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By investing in solar energy and carbon credit initiatives, the Commission is helping to mitigate climate change while advancing clean and affordable energy for all.
He added that beyond providing illumination, the project addresses the fundamental problem of unreliable electricity across communities in the Niger Delta. “Solar-powered streetlights have become a beacon of hope for rural and riverine areas struggling with power outages and unreliable grid supply,” he stated.
Dr. Ogbuku also highlighted other NDDC interventions designed to combat environmental degradation and build resilience. These include shore protection, land reclamation, afforestation, and conservation of the mangrove forests that form the ecological backbone of the Niger Delta. He disclosed that the Commission is working closely with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and multilateral organizations to tackle oil pollution, promote gas flare-out initiatives, and support climate change policies.
As the NDDC marks its 25th anniversary, Dr. Ogbuku said the Commission is embracing innovation to reposition itself for the evolving challenges of the region and the global climate landscape. “It is very clear that we must innovate to effectively address the peculiarities of the Niger Delta,” he stressed. “Conversations like this reinforce the message of hope from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda is providing the strategic direction to make Nigeria a key player on the global stage.”
He concluded by commending TEDxPort Harcourt’s “The Next Now” initiative for inspiring proactive steps toward environmental restoration and sustainable development. “The time to act is now,” he declared. “The future of the Niger Delta and indeed our planet depends on the choices we make today.”
