Nigeria accelerates initiatives to expand energy access-Presidency
Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking bold steps in its energy sector and currently implementing strong policies focused on achieving energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare,made this known in Dar esalam Tanzania, while speaking to journalists during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.
Highlighting Nigeria’s progress in the energy space, Mr Dare emphasised that President Tinubu has accelerated critical initiatives to expand energy access.
“We have something on the table already from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You know about the Siemens Project initiative that was initiated under the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. We have seen how President Tinubu has come in with an accelerated phase of the Siemens initiative, moving it from 5,000 to a higher capacity”, he said.
Dare also hinted at a significant announcement expected from President Tinubu during the summit, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to renewable energy.
“We’ve also seen the efforts being made for solar, clean energy under this same President. He’s not here just for the fun of it. Mr. President will announce a very dynamic, compact initiative coming from Nigeria that will help to push this agenda forward”, he said.
The Mission 300 Summit, which aims to provide 300 million Africans with affordable energy by 2030, has drawn participation from over 20 African leaders and key global institutions, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Dare commended the collaborative efforts, noting the timeliness of the summit.
“Africa coming together to pool its resources—whether it’s hydro, solar, wind, or the emerging green hydrogen—is commendable. With our enormous gas deposits and tropical sunlight, we have what it takes to power the continent,” he said.
On the issue of funding, Mr Dare described the financial framework as a “mixed bag” comprising grants, soft loans, and capacity-building initiatives.
“Very often, the nature of such funding is not just about dollar figures. It’s also about the expertise, training, and capacity that international partners bring,” he explained.
He noted that partnerships are already bearing fruit, with the AfDB committing N75 billion to Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to boost renewable energy development.
The Presidential aide underscored the pillars of President Tinubu’s energy policy to include sustainability, affordability, and accessibility, aligning them with the broader goals of the summit.
“Whatever energy plan comes out of this summit must strike off these three-core areas, and I’m happy these are the pillars of the energy policy of President Tinubu,” he said.
As President Tinubu prepares to unveil Nigeria’s comprehensive energy plan, Mr Dare expressed optimism about the country’s ability to meet its commitments.
“This is a President who is able to make a pitch for his country, win deals, and secure solid commitments for foreign direct investments. Look at what happened in Brazil and what’s happening in agriculture. He’s bringing that same determination to energy,” he added.
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