In its bid to close the electricity gap in Nigeria, the Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious energy access programme to transform Nigeria\u2019s energy sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It said the programme will require $23.2bn, out of which $15.5bn will be provided by the private sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A statement by the spokesperson to the Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji, disclosed that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is spearheading the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tunji said the programme is also fallout from the just-concluded Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit held in Dar es Salam, Tanzania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two-day summit, which brought together African leaders, business executives, and development partners to advance the continent\u2019s ambitious energy agenda was hosted by the Government of Tanzania, the African Union, the African Development Bank Group, and the World Bank Group, and aims to accelerate electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThrough the energy access programme, tagged National Energy Compact, the government aims to increase electricity access from four per cent to nine per cent annually to close the energy gap, boost access to clean cooking solutions from 22 per cent to 25 per cent annually, expand renewable energy\u2019s share in the power generation mix from 22 per cent to 50 per cent, and mobilise $15.5bn in private investment to drive last-mile electrification,\u201d Tunji explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the efforts align with UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, which seeks to ensure universal access to modern energy services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While unveiling the programme, the minister said it would expand electricity access, increase renewable energy adoption, and improve clean cooking solutions for millions of Nigerians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith 150 million Nigerians already electrified, Nigeria remains committed to ensuring universal access to affordable and sustainable energy by 2030,\u201d the minister had said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adelabu reportedly noted that while the roadmap for expansion is clear, challenges such as vandalism of power infrastructure pose a significant threat to Nigeria\u2019s electrification efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He expressed worry that transmission towers, pipelines, and distribution equipment are being targeted, disrupting supply and deterring potential investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister emphasised that protecting power assets is crucial to ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply and sustaining progress, adding that, \u201cthe government is intensifying efforts to curb vandalism through enhanced security, stricter penalties, and improved surveillance technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to him, achieving Nigeria\u2019s electrification targets requires significant investment, and the government is prioritising private sector participation to unlock additional resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe compact outlines a $23.2bn investment target, with $15.5bn expected from private investors. These funds will be directed toward expanding power generation, strengthening transmission and distribution networks, and integrating distributed renewable energy solutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recognising that achieving universal energy access demands collective action, the government called on development partners, philanthropies, and the private sector to join the \u201ctransformative\u201d journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy implementing the action plan in the National Energy Compact, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in Africa\u2019s energy transition and creating opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and industrialisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs the Mission 300 initiative gains momentum, Nigeria\u2019s strong commitment to energy sector reforms, infrastructure expansion, and investment mobilisation will be crucial in shaping the future of electricity access across the continent\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PUNCH reports that Nigeria, with over 200 million population is still struggling with 4,500 megawatts of electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Efforts made in 2024 to ramp up power to 6,000MW were unsuccessful due to vandalism and incessant grid collapses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the moment, over 250 companies and institutions have dumped the national grid to generate their own electricity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In its bid to close the electricity gap in Nigeria, the Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious energy access programme to transform Nigeria\u2019s energy sector. It said the programme will<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_rishi_post_view_count":147},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","rishi-post"],"rishi__cb_customizer_meta":"","comments_count":"0","yoast_head":"\n