By Abigael Joshua
Nigeria is facing the paradox of abundant energy resources and widespread energy poverty inspite of being Africa’s largest economy.
Dr Michael David, the Executive Director of Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
“Millions of Nigerians lack reliable electricity, forcing households and businesses to depend on petrol and diesel generators.
“The World Bank estimated that 86.8 million Nigerians lived without electricity by the end of 2025”, he said.
David said the rapid adoption of solar energy showed it had become a practical solution for households, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and government institutions seeking reliable electricity.
David acknowledged progress in lithium battery manufacturing, local solar panel assembly and the development of critical minerals.
However, he said Nigeria’s current production capacity remained insufficient to satisfy domestic demand.
He called for a phased industrialisation strategy combining expanded renewable energy access with stronger local manufacturing.
He also called for incentives, affordable financing, technical training, research and improved quality standards.
David said the Electricity Act 2023 had created opportunities for state governments to expand electricity generation and renewable energy development through decentralised energy systems.
He stressed the need for policies that would attract investment, strengthen regulation, protect consumers and promote local industrial development as the renewable energy sector continued to grow.
He said that participants unanimously recommended the adoption of a National Renewable Energy Industrialisation Roadmap to guide the sustainable development of the sector.
David said experts in renewable energy sector agree that the Federal Government must develop a National Renewable Energy Industrialisation Roadmap to strengthen local manufacturing and expand access to affordable solar energy nationwide.
“This position was agreed upon after a dialogue organised by the Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainability Transition (CREST), Bayero University, Kano in collaboration with GIFSEP.
“Participants were drawn from government, academia, the private sector, financial institutions and civil society, said the roadmap would provide a strategic framework for sustainable growth of Nigeria’s clean energy industry.
“They also called for increased investment in technical education, research, innovation and technology commercialisation to strengthen local manufacturing capacity and support the growth of Nigeria’s renewable energy industry.
“They recommended that any future restriction on solar panel imports should be introduced gradually and only after Nigeria develops sufficient local manufacturing and assembly capacity to meet domestic demand. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza