Nigeria, Japan Deepen Bilateral Energy Cooperation

Nigeria and Japan have taken significant steps to enhance their bilateral energy cooperation following a visit by Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, and a high-level delegation to Japan.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Malam Mutari Ibrahim, Director of Promotion and Outreach at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), confirmed that the minister, alongside key stakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector, recently completed a three-day visit focused on deepening collaboration in the energy sector.

The engagement underscores both nations’ commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering greater technological and infrastructural exchange.

The visit was facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He said that the visit provided a platform for engaging with Japanese energy leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, with a focus on enhancing Nigeria’s power infrastructure, improving grid reliability, and exploring innovative energy solutions.

He highlighted key engagements and strategic learnings that took place during the visit.

” The minister and the Nigerian delegation engaged in high-level discussions and technical sessions, gaining insights into Japan’s energy market structure, policy frameworks, and operational models.

”The key areas of focus include the policy and evolution of Japan’s power sector,” he said.

Ibrahim said that the delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the evolution of Japan’s power sector, its regulatory framework, “and how the sector efficiently manages electricity distribution and market operations.”

He said that these insights provided valuable lessons for Nigeria’s evolving power market, electricity management and system operations.

Ibrahim said that the delegation also explored Japan’s advanced electricity load dispatching mechanisms, the operational framework for generation and distribution coordination.

“Grid optimisation strategies, which could inform best practices for Nigeria’s power sector reforms, energy trading and market operations.

” Nigeria’s energy stakeholders examined Japan’s electricity supply system and power exchange market, analysing models that could improve Nigeria’s electricity market efficiency.

”Energy pricing mechanisms, competitiveness, and strategic bilateral meetings,” he said.

Ibrahim also said that the minister and the team further engaged in high-level technical discussions to deepen Nigeria-Japan energy sector cooperation, including a bilateral meeting with the Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

He said that during the meeting, both parties explored opportunities to strengthen economic and energy sector collaborations.

According to him, they also held a strategic session with JICA leadership, where potential areas of support and collaboration were identified to accelerate power sector reforms and investment in Nigeria.

”As part of the visit, the delegation conducted on-site technical assessments of key Japanese energy facilities: DAIKIN Solution Plaza and provided insights into energy-efficient and innovative cooling solutions.

”Emphasising the integration of energy efficiency strategies into Nigeria’s power development agenda.

”They also visited Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and explored Japan’s grid management strategies, resilience planning, and sustainable power solutions.

”This is with a view to adopting best practices to enhance Nigeria’s national grid reliability, key outcomes, and next steps,” he said.

Ibrahim said that the visit resulted in the identification and advancement of key initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector: Short-Term Grid Reliability Measures.

He said the discussions focused on immediate steps that Nigeria could implement to enhance national grid stability and resilience, leveraging Japan’s expertise in grid operations and maintenance.

”The visit also advanced JICA’s potential co-financing support for the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Project, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

”This initiative is set to expand energy access in rural and underserved communities, stimulating economic growth and sustainable development. Long-Term Collaboration & Investment Opportunities.

”The engagements laid a strong foundation for future collaboration between Nigeria and Japan, unlocking opportunities for technology transfer, capacity building, and investments in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.

“A Unified Approach to Power Sector Transformation,” he said.

The minister was accompanied on the visit by Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, and Mr Sanusi Garba, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Also on the delegation were Mr Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Mr Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency (REA).