The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has declared that Nigeria is taking a leadership role in Africa’s renewable energy revolution, setting a bold target to help provide electricity to 300 million Africans by the year 2030.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion financing initiative for the Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024.
Speaker Abbas made the remarks on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy, organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy, chaired by Hon. Afam Ogene, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, held in Lagos.
“On the continental stage, Nigeria has assumed a leadership role. Through our participation in the Mission 300 Initiative with the World Bank and the African Development Bank, we are working to provide electricity to three hundred million Africans by 2030,” Abbas stated.
While acknowledging the progress made so far, he stressed the need for continued collaboration across all sectors.
“While progress has been made, the road ahead requires sustained effort. The success of this transition depends on coherent actions across all institutions. Legislators must establish sound legal foundations. The executive must implement with integrity and urgency. The private sector must invest in innovation and scale. Civil society must foster awareness, inclusion and accountability. This conference, therefore, provides an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment,” he added.
He urged that the momentum generated should lead to tangible results such as model legislation, increased investment, and the adoption of innovative technologies. Abbas also reaffirmed Nigeria’s internal strides, noting the establishment of the House Standing Committee on Renewable Energy and ongoing legislative reforms, including recent tax reform bills removing VAT on renewable energy components and Compressed Natural Gas technologies.
“Our legislative agenda recognizes energy reform as central to our national priorities. Strategic Objective 8.5 aims to promote renewable energy development while ensuring access, efficiency, and environmental responsibility,” he stated.
The Speaker also highlighted legislative efforts to provide legal backing for Nigeria’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy of 2015, which seeks to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He warned that clean energy transition is no longer optional.
“This is a structural reorientation of the global energy economy,” Abbas said. “Nigeria must align with this reality to stay relevant, competitive, and environmentally responsible.”
Referencing successes in Egypt, Germany, and across the European Union, Abbas called on African parliaments to adopt strong legal frameworks, decentralised strategies, and to support independent power producers.
He commended the Tinubu administration’s reforms, especially the Electricity Act of 2023, which devolved power sector control to state governments, encouraging localised energy development.
He provided more details on the $1 billion presidential initiative, noting that $750 million is earmarked for expanding solar access in underserved areas through 124 mini-grids and 25,000 solar home systems, benefiting over 200,000 Nigerians.
“Such bold investments are game-changers,” he said. “They show what is possible when policy, financing, and legislation align.”
Abbas reiterated support for the national Energy Transition Plan, targeting net-zero emissions by 2060, and hailed the launch of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy in March 2025.
“The private sector must invest boldly, and civil society must foster awareness, inclusion, and accountability,” he said. “Let us not lose the momentum we’ve built. Let this conference be remembered not just for the conversations it sparked but for the change it inspired.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Afam Ogene, called for urgent legislative and policy reforms, noting that Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels had not translated to reliable electricity.
“The persistent power supply challenges we face are not just a technical issue, they are a barrier to our national development. To move forward, we must embrace renewable energy as a critical component of our energy strategy,” Ogene stated.
He disclosed that the House had launched investigations into the management of past renewable energy investments, stressing transparency and accountability.
“The transition to renewable energy is not just about power generation; it’s about creating economic opportunities, especially for our youth. Every solar panel and clean energy initiative represents potential jobs and skills development,” he added.
Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, represented by First Deputy Speaker Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, said the conference was a call to action for African policymakers and legislators.
He noted: “Sustainable energy is vital for Africa’s development and climate goals,” while citing the International Renewable Energy Agency’s data showing that over 80% of new global electricity capacity in 2023 came from renewable sources. Yet, more than 600 million Africans still lack access to power.
Ahiafor highlighted Ghana’s progress with utility-scale solar farms, floating solar plants, off-grid systems, and favourable policies such as tax incentives and net metering. He urged Africa to work collectively to ensure clean, affordable energy access.
The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Atafuah, said the world is being reshaped by energy and climate challenges, warning that the cost of inaction is too high.
She said: “The next superpowers will be those who master the green value chain. Nigeria has the people, the resources, and the influence to lead—but leadership requires courage, vision, and legislative action.”
Atafuah called the moment a defining point in Nigeria’s development journey, stressing that energy is now central to economic competitiveness and national security. She assured that the UNDP is ready to support Nigeria with scalable solutions, policy design, financing models, and strategic partnerships.
She added: “This Conference should mark the deepening of Nigeria’s energy and mineral economy—clean, competitive, and globally relevant.
