Nigeria has been urged to increase investment in solar energy in a bid to resolve its power challenges.
Prof. Siyan Peter, Department of Economics, University of Abuja, gave the charge at the first annual Legislative Summit on Renewable Energy held in Abuja.
In his lecture titled: THE SOCIO-POLITICAL IMPERATIVES FOR A RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM FOR NIGERIA, Siyan noted that renewable energy was the fastest means of providing affordable power to the country’s under-served population mostly in the rural areas.
He added that with Nigeria’s power industry now taken off the exclusive list of the Constitution, States, Local Governments as well as local communities can now invest effectively – especially through solar energy.
“The United Nations’ SDG Goal 7 submitted that, her member states should ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Solar energy is the surest way of providing power to Nigerians across board,” he said.
“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with the largest GDP in the continent but her electricity generation and access to electricity is far below what is obtainable in other country in the continent.
“Nigeria’s highest rate of electricity access in Nigeria is in 2016 and 2021 which stood at 59.9%. This implies that electricity access in Nigeria requires improvement for Nigeria to live up to its counterparts in Africa.”
Opportunities
He stated that this can only be done by scaling up the energy mix to accommodate more renewable energy sources.
“By deploying renewable energy sources, there’s a chance to significantly cut down global warming emissions from fossil fuels, particularly in electricity production.
“Shifting away from coal and gas plants can boost public health by reducing air and water pollution-related illnesses. Various natural resources like wind, sun, plants, heat from the earth, and moving water offer abundant and renewable energy potential.”
Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies (NILDS) canvassed for the prioritization of renewable energy and empowerment of state and local governments
He said this was needed so they can establish their own legislative frameworks and directly invest in renewable energy initiatives.
Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) gave the organizers a thumb-up for providing stakeholders a platform to engage with other field experts and exchange ideas on renewable energy solutions for Nigeria.
He said NASENI remains commited to advancing renewable energy access in the country, working with other government agencies and key players in the private sector.
The legislative summit was organized by the National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies (NILD) in collaboration with ASOLAR Systems.
Present at the event were: Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, represented by Senator Agom Jarigbe, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., represented by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy.
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