Renewable energy an integral part of national power architecture – Minister of Power

…says access to reliable electricity remains the strongest driver of economic transformation The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has said that renewable energy, especially solar technology, is not an alternative source of power but an integral part of the country’s national power architecture. This, as he said, access to reliable electricity remains one of the strongest drivers of economic transformation.

The minister spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of the Africa Minigrids Programme’s Nigeria pilot project. The launch was attended by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohammed Falls; the DG, Rural Electrification Agency, Baba Aliyu; the UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, Ms Abunna Eziakonwa; amongst other dignitaries. Tegbe said mini-grids remain one of the most effective and sustainable solutions for bridging Nigeria’s electricity access gap. He therefore said the government will continue to place rural electrification at the centre of Nigeria’s energy development agenda.

He said, “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, access to reliable electricity remains one of the strongest drivers of economic transformation. It powers education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce, digital innovation, and industrial development. For rural communities especially, access to electricity determines whether businesses can thrive, schools can offer quality education, health centres can preserve vaccines, and whether young people can find meaningful economic opportunities within their communities. “For the avoidance of doubt, renewable energy, especially solar technology, is not an alternative source of power. It is an integral part of our national power architecture.

Our approach is to deploy technology appropriately to meet the unique energy needs and realities of different communities. In other words, we are diversifying our power delivery models to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, has access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. “This is why the Federal Government continues to place rural electrification at the centre of Nigeria’s energy development agenda. Through the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, Nigeria is creating a more competitive, decentralised, and investment-friendly electricity market that empowers States, encourages private investment, and expands opportunities for renewable energy deployment. “Mini grids have emerged as one of the most effective and sustainable solutions for bridging Nigeria’s electricity access gap. They provide reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly electricity to communities where grid extension may not be immediately feasible in a centralised approach. “More importantly, mini grids are no longer viewed merely as social infrastructure.

They have become productive economic assets capable of stimulating agriculture, agroprocessing, manufacturing, education, healthcare, digital services, and small and medium enterprises. The Africa Mini grids Programme therefore aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s priorities of delivering universal electricity access while supporting sustainable economic growth.” He also noted that achieving universal energy access requires “strong collaboration among government institutions, development partners, financiers, technology providers, local communities, and the private sector. “It is on this note that the Agency of the Ministry, Rural Electrification Agency, has consistently demonstrated leadership in implementing innovative off-grid and renewable energy programmes that have improved the lives of thousands of Nigerians. Their efforts continue to complement the Ministry’s broader strategic policy of building a resilient and diversified electricity sector.” He noted that UNDP’s support further demonstrates the international community’s confidence in Nigeria’s renewable energy ambitions. “As a government, our responsibility is to continue creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment that encourages investment, innovation, and sustainable financing. The Federal Ministry of Power remains committed to strengthening collaboration with other stakeholders like State Governments, development partners, financial institutions, and private investors to successfully scale up the deployment of minigrid models across the country. “We are also committed to ensuring that renewable energy deployment complements ongoing efforts to strengthen the national grid, improve distribution infrastructure, and achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy,” he added.

He also noted that the celebration of achieving 23 new mini grids through the AMP, “we also recognise that this is only the beginning. Millions of Nigerians still require access to reliable electricity, and thousands of communities continue to possess tremendous economic potential waiting to be unlocked through sustainable energy investments. “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the launch of this programme should serve as a call to action. I encourage investors to explore the enormous opportunities within Nigeria’s renewable energy market. I also encourage the financial institutions to continue developing innovative financing mechanisms for distributed renewable energy.” In his remarks, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, said access to renewable energy is about development, industrialisation, jobs, and opportunity—especially for women and young people.

He therefore said in Nigeria, the United Nations is proud to work alongside the Government, the Rural Electrification Agency, development partners, the private sector and communities to advance sustainable energy as one of our six transformation pathways for accelerating the SDGs. “For Africa, the energy transition is about far more than decarbonization. It is about development, industrialisation, jobs, and opportunity—especially for women and young people.” Fall noted, “Nigeria is uniquely positioned to lead this transition, with abundant renewable resources, a vibrant private sector and enormous economic potential.” The Africa Minigrids Programme, he therefore said, “demonstrates what is possible. Mini-grids are not just energy solutions—they are development solutions. They power schools, health centres, farms and businesses, unlocking livelihoods, strengthening rural economies and connecting communities to opportunity. “Their success reflects the power of partnership.

I commend the Government of Nigeria, the Rural Electrification Agency (UNDP), our development partners, investors, technical experts and local communities for making this initiative possible.” The launch, according to the UN boss, “marks not the end of a project, but the beginning of a larger transition—towards universal energy access, resilient rural economies, climate-smart development and inclusive growth.” He called for continuous collaboration so as to “ensure that the clean energy transition reaches every community. Let us power farms. Let us power businesses. Let us power innovation.

Above all, let us power a future where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.” UNDP challenges Nigeria to scale up renewable energy for all On her part, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa, Ms Abunna Eziakonwa, challenged Nigeria to scale up renewable energy for all. Eziakonwa noted that Nigeria has the advantage of leveraging global funding for renewable energy to scale up national access to electricity. Read Also: Commonwealth Games: Tinubu urges Team Nigeria to win clean, break record She noted that Nigeria has demonstrated competence and capacity with the level of investment already carried out. The second component is that you can begin to develop, experiment, and see pathways to renewables overall.

And I think we’re calling Nigeria the flagship here because of what was said earlier. We have 21 countries, but we have not been able to establish and finish this installation in all countries, because Nigeria already had the capacity through the Renewable Energy Agency. Nigeria was already invested, so it was the easiest route to secure what was already on the ground. And I want to reflect on this because there is Vision 300, and there are lots of programmes and financing at the global level that countries can leverage, but the countries that will be able to benefit from these are those that are ready.

And Nigeria is ready. “And it does make our job easier because we can go out there and advocate for Nigeria because we know there is already infrastructure, there is capability, there is passion, there is commitment from the government side. So we are really excited today for this launch, and I am personally, having been there at the beginning of the launch of the programme overall, to start to see the fruits and understand that actually the model is right, we got it right. I am feeling quite rewarded today, but the real legacy of today’s launch will ultimately be measured not by the number of miniatures we commission or the megawatts we install. I think it will be measured by the businesses they help create, the investments they attract, the farmers whose incomes will increase, and the women whose lungs can breathe more easily. “You know how many women are still having to suffer spiritual problems, and children, by the way, problems because they don’t have clean cooking facilities.

This, and I’ve seen those women on the ground, and the difference having an energy solution, a clean energy solution, is main in their lives, healthier lungs, but also more time in their hands to do other things. It will be measured, I think, by the young entrepreneurs who build successful enterprises and the confidence they inspire in Africa’s ability to power its own transformation. “Honourable Minister, ladies and gentlemen, I think the future is here; this is the future that UNDP is proud to support; it is the future that Nigeria is helping us demonstrate; and it is the future that Africa increasingly has the confidence, the partnerships, and the capabilities to build for itself. So let us embrace this moment as one of great pride for our country and for the continent.”