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Nigeria Targets Electricity Access for 300 Million Africans by 2030 – Speaker Abbas

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1 year ago

May 5, 2025

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By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria is taking a frontline role in the push to expand electricity access across Africa, to help power about 300 million people on the continent by 2030.

The Speaker disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy, organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held in Lagos on Monday.

The conference brought together lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners to explore renewable energy solutions and legislative frameworks for boosting access and affordability.

Abbas praised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion funding package for Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024, and described it as a major boost for energy inclusion.

According to him, Nigeria’s participation in the Mission 300 initiative, a joint effort with the World Bank and African Development Bank demonstrates the country’s growing commitment to clean, sustainable energy for underserved communities.

He said: “This initiative speaks to Nigeria’s readiness to lead by example on the continent. It is about more than power, it is about development, opportunity, and progress.

“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.

“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”.

Speaker Abbas pleaded that the momentum built so far should not be allowed to be lost and that the resolutions should lead to concrete outcomes, including model legislation, greater investments, and the adoption of new technologies.

The Speaker reaffirmed Nigeria’s internal strides toward a clean energy transition, highlighting the legislative reforms championed by the 10th House of Representatives, which includes the recent establishment of a Standing Committee on Renewable Energy, that coordinates national efforts in expanding access to clean power.

“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”.

The Speaker cited recent legislative milestones by the House to include: passage of new tax reform bills that eliminate Value Added Tax (VAT) on renewable energy components and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technologies. These reforms, according to his, are designed to stimulate private investment and enhance affordability in the clean energy sector.

He assured that the House is also working to provide legal backing for Nigeria’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (REEEP) 2015, a framework that seeks to boost renewable energy adoption, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide.

Speaker Abbas further noted that the urgency to transition to clean energy is no longer optional, citing global energy trends that show a decisive shift toward renewables. He 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 also 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.

“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.”

He pointed to legislative successes in countries such as Egypt, Germany, and members of the European Union, where robust legal frameworks have accelerated clean energy expansion. He called for African parliaments to emulate such examples through strong laws, decentralized energy strategies, and support for independent power producers.

Speaker Abbas commended the Tinubu administration for key energy policy reforms, particularly the Electricity Act of 2023, which devolved control over the power sector to sub-national governments, thus encouraging localized energy solutions and private-sector participation.

He said of the $1 billion approved by the President Tinubu, $750 million is earmarked for expanding solar access in underserved areas, resulting in the deployment of 124 mini-grids and over 25,000 solar home systems, benefiting more than 200,000 Nigerians.

“Such bold investments are game-changers,” the Speaker said. “They show what is possible when policy, financing, and legislation align.”

The Speaker reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to its Energy Transition Plan, which lays out a path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. He also welcomed the launch of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy in March 2025, aimed at unlocking climate finance and enhancing project viability.

He emphasized that legislative support, policy innovation, and private-sector engagement are all required for the success of Nigeria’s green transition.

Abbas said that legislators must enact and enforce strong legal foundations, while the executive branch must implement these policies with urgency and integrity.

“The private sector must invest boldly, and civil society must foster awareness, inclusion, and accountability,” he added.

He urged participants to take full advantage of the conference to develop concrete resolutions, model legislation, and partnerships that will deliver tangible results.

“Let us not lose the momentum we’ve built,” Abbas said. “Let this conference be remembered not just for the conversations it sparked but for the change it inspired,” he said.

Speaker Abbas underscored the importance of continental collaboration. He lauded the participation of fellow African parliamentarians and emphasized the value of cross-country learning in strengthening regional capacity for renewable energy development.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, called for urgent action, as Nigeria’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, despite its vast reserves, has failed to provide reliable electricity, stifling economic growth and productivity.

Ogene noted 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.

“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,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of legislative action, Ogene stated the recent steps by the House to ensure government agencies transition to renewable energy sources for their operations.

He also revealed that the Committee had launched investigations into the management of past renewable energy investments, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in future projects.

“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,” Ogene added.

Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said the Conference was not just a testimony to the increasing urgency to address energy challenges, but also a call to policymakers, legislators, investors, community and innovators to take action towards shaping a sustainable energy future.

Represented by Ghana’s First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, he called on African legislators to play a central role in driving the continent’s transition to renewable energy, emphasizing that sustainable energy is vital for Africa’s development and climate goals.

Ahiafor applauded Nigeria’s efforts in convening stakeholders to identify legislative and policy gaps in the renewable energy sector. He stressed the need for inclusive policies that attract investment, expand energy access, and support local industries.

Citing global data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), he noted that over 80% of new electricity capacity in 2023 came from renewable sources, signaling the rapid pace of the global energy transition.

However, he cautioned that Africa remains underpowered, with more than 600 million people still without access to electricity despite holding 60% of the world’s best solar resources.

He spotlighted Ghana’s progress in the sector, including utility-scale projects like the 50MW solar PV farm and the sub-region’s first floating solar plant.

He also highlighted Ghana’s off-grid initiatives and favorable policies like net metering, tax incentives, and green financing through programs such as SUNREF and the Green Climate Fund.

Ahiafor emphasized the importance of legislative backing in energy reform, referencing Ghana’s Renewable Energy Act and other key laws.

He also reiterated Ghana’s commitment to international agreements like the Paris Accord and Sustainable Energy for All.

He urged African nations to work collaboratively across borders to power homes, schools, and industries with clean, affordable energy, stressing that a just and inclusive transition is essential to ensure no community is left behind.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Atafuah, said the cost of inaction was too high.

She said the world is reorganizing around energy, minerals, and climate security, adding that the next superpowers will be those who master the green value chain.

Atafuah said Nigeria has the people, the resources, and the influence to lead but leadership requires courage, vision, and legislative action.

She said today, the world stands at a critical moment with rising planetary challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity stress geopolitical realignments. amidst even more significant

Atafuah said this is a defining moment for Nigeria’s development journey, where energy is not only a development necessity but a cornerstone of economic competitiveness, national security, and global positioning.

She said as countries across Africa and around the world make bold strides to secure their energy futures and critical mineral assets, the choices Nigeria makes today will shape its trajectory for decades to come.

She said UNDP and the United Nations stand ready to support, through scalable solutions, policy design, technical assistance, financing models, and strategic partnerships.

She urged that the Conference should mark the deepening of Nigeria’s energy and mineral economy, clean, competitive, and globally relevant.

News

Buhari’s minister, Sylva finally dumps APC

Published

7 minutes ago

August 31, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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Ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has dumped All Progressives Congress (APC).

His resignation was contained in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed and electronically transmitted to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In the letter, Sylva accused the ruling party of abandoning the ideals on which it was founded, saying he could no longer remain in the party.

He also described the APC as a floundering ship whose fate appears irredeemable by the load of its iniquities.

The resignation letter were also sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party.

The former Governor of Bayelsa State said his decision followed extensive consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.

“Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with immediate effect,” he stated.

Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, accused the current leadership of abandoning the ideals that initially attracted him and other Nigerians to the party.

He said their actions have shown that the basic standards of morality and decency have been abandoned by the leaders who now believe that ‘all is fair in politics.’

“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.

“Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a Party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics,’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.

“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it,” he said.

Sylva alleged that the current APC leadership and the federal government have disappointed a lot of Nigerians.

“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp.

“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities,” he said.

The former Governor called on Nigerians to vote out the APC in the 2027 elections and free the country from a political stronghold.

“I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” he stated.

He also accused the EFCC of conducting itself like an arm of the APC rather than an independent institution of state.

Sylva acknowledged that his resignation could expose him and his associates to increased scrutiny or investigation by the anti-graft agencies and other security forces.

“I am deliberately putting the EFCC in copy of this letter because, of late, it has conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State.

“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take,” he stated.

News

SAD! Unknown gunmen k!ll popular comedian, Aiza in South East

Published

20 minutes ago

August 31, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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Unknown gunmen have struck in Awka, the Anambra State capital, killing popular comedian Isaac Nwosu, a.k.a Aiza, and one other person.

The ace comedian, who was gunned down with the other victim on Sunday, August 30, 2026, is widely known in Awka and its environs by both residents and politicians who hired him during campaigns to promote their candidacy.

He came to limelight in the political field of Anambra State in 2003 when he threw his weight behind former Governor Peter Obi during his battle in court to return to office.

The Anambra State Police Command has condemned yesterday’s killings in the strongest terms. The Command in a statement this Monday morning by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said it has intensified the ongoing manhunt for the perpetrators.

It called for the support and cooperation of members of the public to assist in bringing the suspects to justice.

According Ikenga, information gathered so far reveals that three unidentified persons, travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla, with registration number yet to be ascertained, reportedly shot two persons at separate locations within Awka.

He said: “Upon receipt of the distress information, Command operatives immediately mobilised patrol teams to the affected areas and commenced efforts to track down the assailants.

“Upon arrival at the scenes, the operatives recovered the bodies of the victims along Capital City Road, Amaenyi, and S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo, Awka, respectively. The victims were taken to a hospital, where they were subsequently confirmed dead by medical personnel.

“While one of the victims is yet to be identified, the second victim has been identified as Isaac Nwosu, male, also known as “Aiza.”

The operatives also recovered from the scenes the sum of N7,550, one Moniepoint ATM card and a pair of slippers”, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has condemned the dastardly act and described the killings as unacceptable and a direct affront to the peace and security of the State.

He further directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for discreet and comprehensive investigation, even as security operatives have intensified patrols, surveillance and intelligence gathering across Awka and adjoining areas.