Nigeria Energy Platform Launches Project on Africa’s Energy Transition

The Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access, ACSEA Nigeria Platform has launched its project to ensure a People-Centred Energy Transition in Africa.

The Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action, Friends of the Earth and national Coordinator, ACSEA Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo in his welcome address during the launch in Abuja Nigeria said the aim of ACSEA was to ensure that Just Energy Transition occur within an improved energy access.

“The prime focus of the project is the promotion of renewable energy access in Nigeria. In general, clean energy access is limited due to energy poverty. Through the ACSEA Nigeria platform a Just Energy Transition movement building for energy transition is imperative,”he said.

Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo said the ACSEA project launch is important to address issues of energy governance to allow for decentralised energy systems that are socially driven and to promote community energy in off-grid, mini-grid and standalone systems.

The Director-General National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) Mr. Ahmed Bolaji Nagode commend Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and the Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access (ACSEA) for all their work and contributions towards establishing this project.

He said the project was aimed at strengthening civil society actors to influence national and regional policies on renewable energy that respond to the energy needs of the masses and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“I want to appreciate the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) who fund this project through the International Climate Initiative (IKI),” he said.

“This project will also equip the CSOs and CBOs with updated skills, knowledge, and tools to engage in renewable policy development and program implementation monitoring and to strengthen their voice at the local, continental, and global levels, “ he stated.

Mr. Ahmed Bolaji said the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) can always count on the NAPTIN’s readiness and commitment, as a strategic partner and ally, to support their efforts at any level and at any time; especially through capacity building on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Nigeria.

Lateefah Ibrahim