The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has said Nigeria is assuming a continental leadership role in the race to electrify Africa, with a bold target to help provide electricity to 300 million Africans by the year 2030.
He also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion financing initiative for the Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024.
He made the remark in his keynote address at the opening of the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, which is chaired by Afam Ogene, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Lagos.
The Speaker maintained that Nigeria’s involvement in Mission 300 Initiative, a collaborative effort with the World Bank and the African Development Bank, exemplifies its commitment to advancing clean and inclusive energy access across Africa.
Abbas said the initiative is a strong demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership on the continental stage and advised that the momentum built so far should not be allowed to dissipate.
He further stated that the urgency to transition to clean energy is no longer optional, citing global energy trends that show a decisive shift toward renewables.
Abbas disclosed that in 2024, renewable energy accounted for over 92 percent of new global power generation capacity, driven primarily by solar and wind, bringing the world’s total installed capacity to over 4,448 gigawatts, a 15% year-on-year increase.
The Speaker used the platform to reaffirm Nigeria’s internal strides toward a clean energy transition and highlighted legislative reforms championed by the 10th House of Representatives, including the recent establishment of a Standing Committee on Renewable Energy, which coordinates national efforts in expanding access to clean power.
The Speaker also noted that in 2024, renewable energy accounted for over 92 percent of new global power generation capacity, driven primarily by solar and wind, bringing the world’s total installed capacity to over 4,448 gigawatts, a 15% year-on-year increase.
He referenced international investment figures from 2023, where $1.7 trillion of the $2.8 trillion total global energy investment was directed toward renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric mobility.
Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Afam Ogene, calling for urgent action, emphasized that Nigeria has continued reliance on fossil fuels, despite its vast reserves, has failed to provide reliable electricity, stifling economic growth and productivity.
Ogene acknowledged that while fossil fuels are vital to the economy, the country must diversify its energy sources to ensure sustainability and reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.
