Written by: Salma El-Saqqa
Professor E. Smaranda Olarinde, Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), called for the necessity of strengthening partnerships between government, academic, and industrial sectors, with the aim of transforming scientific research into practical solutions in the field of clean energy.
Nigeria's Energy Transition Ambitions
These calls come at a time when the Nigerian federal government is aiming for 2060 as a target to build an energy system primarily based on solar power and storage technologies, with aspirations to use green hydrogen as backup energy to help reduce carbon emissions in heavy industries.
Olarinde emphasized that the transition toward clean energy requires sustainable investments in research areas, the establishment of effective policies, the promotion of industrial innovation, and the development of skilled human resources.
Renewable Energy Challenges and Opportunities
For his part, Dr. Mustafa Abdullah, Director General, pointed out that Nigeria possesses massive renewable energy resources but needs innovation and close cooperation to exploit them. He explained that solar radiation in the northwestern regions of the country, specifically in the states of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, represents significant opportunities for solar power generation.
He also noted the vast potential for hydroelectric, wind, and biomass energy, although the installed renewable energy capacity reached approximately 2,638 megawatts in 2024. He clarified that the gap between available potential and current capacity requires intensifying investment in technology and infrastructure.
Industry Obstacles and Green Hydrogen
The report identified several challenges facing the sector, including reliance on the importation of solar panels, inverters, and batteries, inadequate grid infrastructure, a shortage of skilled personnel, and difficulty in accessing financing. It emphasized the need for local manufacturing, improving grid integration, and developing innovative financing models.
Regarding green hydrogen, Abdullah explained that the cost of electricity constitutes between 60 to 80 percent of production costs, making the provision of affordable renewable energy vital for the commercial viability of this technology. He also called for accelerating the approval of the draft National Hydrogen Policy and the establishment of a National Hydrogen Council to promote research and training.
