Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, says the informarion sector needs to latch on to renewable energy.
The Minister was speaking at a Public Hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, in Abuja.
Represented by the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr, Jibrin Baba Ndace, the minister said that the information sector, through the instrument of the government media agencies will assist the committee to transmit information for the public to understand more about renewable energy.
He also said that public enlightenment is key to achieving a renewable energy programme in Nigeria.
Mr. Ndace stressed that the minister of Information aligns with the Nigerian renewable energy project which aligns with global best practices.
He pledged that all the platforms of the ministry are available to propagate the decisions of the committee to the public.
The hearing examined the domiciliation of green energy projects, foreign grants and investments received in the renewable energy sector from 2015 to date, as well as the utilization of renewable energy across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, who declared the hearing open, noted that the Investigative Hearing is a crucial parliamentary exercise, mandated by the House leadership and vested with the authority of the House of Representatives and National Assembly.
Represented by Mr. Ibrahim Halims, the speaker urged MDAs and stakeholders to view their participation at the hearing as a patriotic contribution to national development, rather than an adversarial process.
” This fact-finding exercise aims to enhance systemic efficacy, uphold institutional integrity, and promote Nigeria’s progress. As a Parliament, the National Assembly is always concerned with the multidimensional economic implications of poor electricity power challenges as the nation has been faced with in recent years.
“The huge cost implications of running businesses in the nation with generators – whether by big manufacturing companies or Small and Medium Scale outfits – and the overall adverse impact on the cost of living or living conditions of the people and economic and social developments, essentially propelled the National Assembly to alter the former Act of 2005.
” One important objective of the Electricity Act, 2023 is to provide a holistic integrated policy plan that recognizes all sources for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, including the integration of Renewable Energy into Nigeria’s energy mix.
” You will agree with me, ladies and gentlemen, that there is a global quest for safer, sustainable and renewable energy, on account of the glaring impact of carbon emissions from fossil fuels on our environment. The growing effects of global warming and climate change are not only reserved as topic for big climate conferences around the world, but could alarmingly be felt all around us in different forms.
” It has also been argued that self preservation is the first law of life, and to that effect, we may also agree on a consensus that there is a need for a new way of doing things,” Speaker Abbas said.
He also said that on this subject of energy, Renewable Energy is a sure way to go.
” Besides the need for clean energy, there’s also a growing conversation across the board about sustainable development in every sphere of life, or sectors of corporate or governance structures.
” As a Parliament, we understand this development and have made efforts, in line with our legislative responsibilities, to be proactive in putting mechanisms in place to facilitate a seamless transition to the renewable and sustainable development mix. Part of the key steps we have taken to enable this is to make renewable energy a core component of the Electricity Act, making it compulsory for its deliberate integration of the nation’s quest in increasing its energy production and sustainability in order to meaningfully boost the economy,“. he explained.
The Committee
The speaker stressed that beyond putting in place a legal framework that would drive the process, the House of Representatives under his leadership, also thought it necessary to create a committee specifically for the emerging sector in the power industry, known as the Committee on Renewable Energy, chaired by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene.
The Chairman of the committee on Renewable Energy, Mr. Afam Victor Ogene in his opening remarks said that the hearing was to know the plan of the ministries department and agencies to meet the renewable agency needs in the country.
He noted that the committee recognises the importance of renewable energy to national development.
” The Committee on Renewable Energy, which I chair, has been tasked by the Leadership of the House of Representatives with three key assignments, prompting this gathering. Our mandates are: To investigate the domiciliation of green energy projects with inappropriate entities, aiming to prevent substandard implementation and loss of value (HR.80/10/2025).
“To examine foreign grants and government investments received in the renewable energy sector from 2015 to date (HR. 259/06/2024). To assess the utilization of renewable energy in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government (HR. 221/12/2024).
” It’s important to note that the investigation of the ‘Grants and Investments’ for the development of the renewable energy sector in Nigeria since 2015, as mandated by the House on Thursday June 6, 2024, has been ongoing, but was halted at a time to address the uncooperative tendencies by some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government who were directly involved with dealings in investment, procurement, and receipt of grants for the development of the renewable energy sector.” Mr. Ogene said
Economic Wastage
He lamented the economic wastage in Nigeria due to lack of implementation of renewable energy.
He said that addressing the challenges is crucial to economic growth and development.
Mr Ogene noted that the committee has consolidated the three assignments to optimise time and resources, recognising their inter-connectedness and significance to Nigeria’s energy security and socio-economic development.
” These issues are indeed critical. The prevalence of dysfunctional streetlights, often failing shortly after installation, raises concerns about procurement practices, maintenance, and the overall value for public investment. Comparing our infrastructure to global standards, such as those in Europe, highlights potential inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Addressing these challenges is crucial to curbing economic wastage and ensuring sustainable development, ” he said.
Proposed Resolution
The chairman said that the proposed resolution for MDAs to source 50% of their power needs from renewable energy sources presents a mutually beneficial opportunity for the nation.
” This initiative is expected to attract investments, stimulate job creation, and enhance sustainability in the electricity sector. Achieving this objective will require assessing current renewable energy utilization in MDAs, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategies to increase adoption. This approach can contribute to a more diversified energy mix, reduced reliance on traditional sources, and a more resilient energy infrastructure”. He said.
He also said that the inquiry aims to foster collective progress.
The Chairman however frowned at the lack of appearance of the Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Abba Aliyu before the committee.
Members suggested that the Chief Executive Officer of the agency to appear on the floor of the House.
The committee through a motion moved by Mr. Lanre Agoro also called on the Inspector General of Police to arrest the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Abba Aliyu, if he fails to appear before the committee on Wednesday 25th February, 2026.