The federal government of Nigeria has announced ambitious plans to make solar energy accessible and affordable for all citizens by next year. This initiative was revealed by Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, the Director-General/CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, during an interview with BBC Hausa service.
Dr. Abdullahi underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to significantly enhance its energy generation capacity to resolve the country’s ongoing power challenges. He noted that Nigeria requires 40,000 megawatts of electricity for a stable power supply akin to that of developed nations. Currently, the nation's installed capacity stands at 12,000 megawatts, with only 5,000 megawatts available for public use. “To meet Nigeria's energy needs and provide stable power, we need 40,000 megawatts,” he explained.
To address these issues, the government has launched a national energy master plan aimed at closing the energy deficit and ensuring reliable power supply for all Nigerians. A key element of this initiative is the establishment of a plant dedicated to manufacturing solar panels and batteries, which is expected to help lower the cost of solar power for citizens.
“I am assuring Nigerians that by next year, we will have achieved this goal,” Dr. Abdullahi stated, emphasizing the critical role of solar energy in bridging the country’s energy gap.
Additionally, he revealed that the government is taking proactive steps to enhance expertise in the renewable energy sector. A Renewable Energy College is currently under construction, which will provide free education to train professionals and address workforce shortages in the power secto