The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria is pushing for deeper investment and stronger ties between government, industry and the private sector to speed up the country's shift towards clean power. The group also wants sustained backing from policymakers to expand electricity access across Nigeria.
These calls came during the maiden Solar & Storage Live Nigeria Conference in Lagos, where policymakers, investors, manufacturers and renewable energy developers met to explore opportunities in solar technology, battery storage and other clean energy solutions.
Ayo Ademilua, who heads REAN and runs A4&T Power Solutions, said the conference was meant to link Nigerian renewable energy players with major global manufacturers, technology providers and investors. He believed the event would deepen the country's clean energy market.
Ademilua described it as Nigeria's biggest renewable energy gathering this year. The goal, he explained, is to expose local actors to cutting-edge global innovations while drawing investment into the nation's booming renewable energy sector.
Nigeria has vast renewable energy resources including solar, hydro, wind and biomass that remain untapped, he noted. The country should unlock these assets fully to boost electricity supply and strengthen its energy mix.
Many people wrongly believe renewable energy is too expensive, Ademilua argued. Over the past decade, technology improvements and wider uptake have slashed the cost of solar systems significantly.
Renewable energy product prices keep falling as manufacturers scale up production globally, he said. Clean energy is now increasingly more affordable than fossil fuels when viewed over the long run.
"When you invest in renewable energy, you're investing in assets that work for you for many years, unlike fossil fuels where spending on fuel never stops," he told the conference.
Ademilua praised REAN members for backing the conference, which was done with Solar & Storage Live South Africa. The event, held successfully in South Africa for over 15 years, marked its first staging in West Africa.
Abba Aliyu, managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency, said Nigeria's renewable energy sector is entering a new phase shaped by artificial intelligence, battery storage and private investment.
The agency has rolled out AI-powered planning and monitoring tools to map more than 750,000 communities nationwide, Aliyu disclosed. This helps government pinpoint the best electrification solution for each area, be it mini grids, solar home systems or traditional grid links.
REA is also deploying AI-enabled smart meters and central monitoring systems to boost mini grid efficiency and strengthen project accountability, he added.
Battery storage represents the next big opportunity in Nigeria's power sector, Aliyu said. He urged investors to seize emerging chances as the nation scales up renewable energy rollout.
Programs like the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale Up initiative and the upcoming Desert to Power program are built to lower investment risk and attract significant private capital into Nigeria, he noted.
