Survey of Just Transition related needs of enterprises in Nigeria

A just transition is about making the shift to a green economy inclusive and balanced, supporting environmental goals while also enabling businesses, workers and communities to remain productive and seize new economic opportunities. Enterprises are key agents of this transition, as drivers of investment, innovation, employment and economic diversification.

As companies adapt to environmental and climate objectives, a just transition means maximizing the benefits from emerging opportunities while also identifying and managing associated risks. These opportunities can include expanding green and transition-enabling activities, adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies and strengthening workforce skills to support new economic sectors. At the same time, companies must anticipate and mitigate potential risks to their operations, workers and vulnerable groups, including those arising from climate-related disruptions such as extreme weather events. Ensuring decent work, investing in workforce resilience and aligning business practices with international labour and human rights standards are key elements of this process.

Regardless of their size or sector – from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations – businesses across Nigeria have a role to play in contributing to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. This includes improving resource efficiency, transforming high-emitting production processes, investing in resilient infrastructure and technologies and supporting workers through reskilling, occupational safety and health measures and inclusive employment strategies.

In recent years, Nigeria has taken important steps to strengthen its climate and development agenda. The country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) recognise employment creation, skills development, social inclusion and private sector engagement as key enablers of effective climate action. Nigeria has also begun integrating just transition principles into national policy processes, including through the development of Just Transition Guidelines and an Action Plan. At the same time, translating national climate commitments into concrete business investments remains challenging for many enterprises, particularly given persistent barriers to accessing appropriate financing.

To better understand the financing needs of enterprises to make an inclusive and sustainable shift to a low-carbon economy happen, the ILO’s Social Finance Programme and the ILO Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP) are partnering with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to conduct a national survey on just transition-related financing needs. The survey targets enterprises across sectors and sizes, including industries that are highly exposed to climate risks as well as emerging green and transition-enabling activities.

The survey aims to generate direct insights from businesses on:

• Priority investment needs, including low-carbon technologies, business transformation, resilience to climate impacts and workforce transition measures.
• Key financial and non-financial barriers enterprises face in accessing the finance required to support a just transition.

Survey findings are expected to be released in 2026. They will support financial institutions and policymakers in designing more inclusive and responsive sustainable finance strategies, frameworks and financial instruments. The results will also help employer organizations such as NECA identify how best to support their members in accessing the financing needed to contribute effectively to Nigeria’s just transition and broader development objectives.