FG Pledges to Make Solar Energy Accessible, Affordable to Nigerians by Next Year

The Federal Government has announced its commitment to making solar energy both accessible and affordable for all Nigerians by next year. This was revealed by the Director-General and CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, during an interview with BBC Hausa service.

Dr. Abdullahi emphasized that for Nigeria to achieve a stable power supply similar to that of developed nations, the country needs to generate 40,000 megawatts of electricity.

“With an installed capacity of 12,000 megawatts, only 5,000 megawatts currently reach the people. We need to generate 40,000 megawatts to meet Nigeria’s energy needs and provide stable power as seen in other developed nations,” he explained.

To address these challenges, Dr. Abdullahi stated that the government has already launched a national energy master plan aimed at resolving Nigeria’s energy crisis and ensuring all citizens have access to electricity.

As part of this initiative, the government plans to establish a plant dedicated to producing solar panels and batteries, making solar power more affordable for Nigerians. “I assure Nigerians that we will achieve this by next year,” Dr. Abdullahi added.

Additionally, the government has taken steps to improve expertise in the sector by establishing a Renewable Energy College. According to Dr. Abdullahi, this institution, currently under construction, will offer free education on energy to help bridge the skill gap in the power sector and support the government’s efforts to enhance energy access.

Nigeria continues to face significant energy challenges, with frequent national grid collapses contributing to an ongoing energy crisis.