The Minister of Energy, Adebayo Adelabu, has mentioned Nigeria is on observe to realising almost 4 gigawatts every year of photo voltaic manufacturing capability via strategic partnerships.
Adelabu mentioned this on the Nigerian Renewable Vitality Innovation Discussion board organised by the Rural Electrification Company in Abuja on Tuesday.
The discussion board had the theme, “Implementing the Nigeria First Coverage: Facilitating Native Content material Improvement and Manufacturing within the Renewable Vitality Ecosystem.”
He famous that the discussion board was significantly vital as a result of it highlighted the position of innovation and home functionality in reaching the nation’s renewable vitality and vitality transition targets.
“By strategic partnerships, de-formalised air at NRIP 2025, Nigeria is on observe to realising almost 4 gigawatts every year of photo voltaic manufacturing capability.
“This dedication to home manufacturing and innovation is bolstered by the efforts of the REA, which continues to increase entry to unserved communities, promote mini-grids and distribute renewable vitality, and nurture the ecosystem of personal builders and financiers driving the transformation,” he mentioned.
In accordance with him, the Ministry of Energy and the REA are shifting the nationwide narrative from vitality entry to vitality industrialisation and from deployment to native worth creation.
“As we start this discussion board, which is properly aligned with our sector’s priorities of vitality safety, industrial competitiveness, and inclusive development, you will need to present context on the broad coverage reforms and initiatives shaping Nigeria’s energy sector panorama,” he mentioned.
The minister added that NRIP 2025 was not simply one other occasion.
“It’s a declaration that Nigeria is able to lead Africa’s renewable vitality transformation as we journey in the direction of clear, dependable, and sustainable energy for all Nigerians,” he mentioned.
He defined that the theme, “Implementing the Nigeria First Coverage,” speaks to one thing far deeper than manufacturing, because it embodies a daring dedication to nationwide pleasure, industrial competence, and long-term {economic} sustainability.
“Within the energy sector, the Nigeria First Coverage displays a willpower to make sure that the subsequent technology of fresh vitality applied sciences, from photo voltaic panels to battery vitality storage techniques deployed throughout the nation, proudly carry the label ‘Made in Nigeria’.
“A imaginative and prescient that aligns squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our expensive President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises homegrown innovation, worth addition, and industrial self-reliance as the inspiration of our nationwide growth,” he mentioned.
Mr. Adelabu additionally mentioned that the federal authorities was pursuing a complete, multi-pronged strategy to reposition the Nigerian energy sector for sustainability, effectivity, and development.
He mentioned that the strategy would span essential pillars, together with laws, coverage reforms, infrastructure growth, vitality transition, entry enlargement, native content material, and capability growth.
“Every is designed to handle structural challenges, unlock personal capital, and improve service supply throughout the electrical energy worth chain,” he mentioned.
Additionally talking, the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, mentioned that the discussion board was conceived from a quite simple however highly effective concept: that the way forward for Nigeria wouldn’t be imported.
Aliyu mentioned that Nigeria was at the moment one of many primary importers of photovoltaic panels and renewable gear in Africa.
“We wish to reverse that development. The NREIF stands as a platform to attach coverage ambition with market actuality, analysis with funding, and innovation with implementation.
“The vitality transition is accelerating, pushed by advances in photo voltaic expertise, battery storage, and digital vitality techniques. The world over, so much is going on.
“We should convert this immense comparative benefit into aggressive power by constructing industries, nurturing innovation, and driving the form of native worth creation that secures our place within the clear vitality financial system for Nigeria,” he mentioned.
In accordance with him, the theme of this discussion board couldn’t have come at a greater time, because it captures the nation’s collective aspiration to cultivate the expertise industries and capabilities that may energy our vitality future.
“However to safe our long-term sustainability and {economic} competitiveness, we should go farther from deployment to making sure domestication of the worth chain manufacturing within the nation.
“On the Rural Electrification Company, we see this shift as each crucial and a possibility,” he mentioned.
REA additionally signed a memorandum of understanding with some state governments on renewable vitality.