Abdulrazaq Adebayo, the winner of the Global Sustainability Award, King’s Trust International 2024 has said that Nigeria’s energy-related issues require a collective effort from various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and local communities.
Abdulrazaq disclosed this in an interview with BusinessDay when he said that solar energy presents a promising solution for Nigeria’s energy challenges, given its abundant sunlight and the potential for widespread implementation.
However, he stated that there is a need for partnership among the various organs of the ecosystem such as government, stakeholders, and local communities.
“Collaboration and investment in renewable energy infrastructure are essential to fully realise the benefits of solar energy and create a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape for Nigeria,” he said.
Experts believe that despite the abundance of energy resources in Nigeria, the country has faced significant challenges in managing and distributing energy resources, resulting in a supply-demand gap.
Nigeria faces issues such as power supply problems, corruption, environmental degradation, and fuel supply issues, leading to energy insecurity and problems like social crises and communal clashes.
According to the World Bank, more than 85 million Nigerians lack access to grid power, while many others face unreliable supply.
Though Nigeria can produce around 13,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity it only delivers about 4,000 MW to the grid due to constraints, which means most of its population is solidly dependent on home generators for their power supply.
However, to unravel these challenges, Abdulrazaq said that the energy system which leverages solar technology, offers a viable and impactful solution to these issues.
“The system is tailored to address the specific needs of both urban and rural areas, providing reliable and clean energy that can significantly reduce power outages and improve the quality of life for many Nigerians.
Moreover, with adequate funding and government support, the scalability and efficiency of solar energy systems can be greatly enhanced,” he said.
In addition, he said that the solar energy system he built which won the global sustainability award integrated innovative technologies and sustainable practices, and the solution aims to not only meet immediate energy needs but also contribute to long-term economic growth and environmental sustainability.
He reiterated that the recognition from the King’s Trust International Global Sustainability Award underscores the potential of this system to make a substantial difference.
While the system is a step in the right direction, he said; “addressing Nigeria’s energy-related issues requires a collective effort from various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and local communities.”
He said that deploying his built solar energy system to rural communities has yielded numerous success stories, far outweighing any challenges encountered.
“We’ve witnessed significant improvements in daily life, with communities now enjoying reliable and clean energy that was previously unavailable or inconsistent.
“This access has not only boosted local businesses by reducing operational costs but also empowered community members to engage in activities such as education, healthcare, and small-scale manufacturing, fostering local development,” he said.
In addition, he said; “Importantly, our systems have contributed to environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and traditional biomass, improving air quality and lowering carbon emissions.
“These achievements underscore the transformative impact of sustainable energy solutions in enhancing quality of life, economic opportunities, and environmental stewardship in rural areas.”
