By Gloria Ikibah
An Agripreneur has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the shift toward briquette-based renewable energy as a practical remedy for Nigeria’s unreliable power supply.
Chief Executive of Davidolar Farms founder, Olusegun Alabi, stated this during a briefing with members of the House of Representatives Press Corps on Monday at the National Assembly. 
He emphasised that embracing this option will strengthen agricultural output and drive broader economic advancement, particularly in the pineapple value chain.
He highlighted that energy briquettes derived from waste can generate electricity, produce gas and sustainably power industrial operations at far lower costs than diesel or conventional grid sources.
Alabi further disclosed that the organisation was finalising plans to introduce briquette-powered equipment in its forthcoming pineapple processing plant, adding that the system has already been proven effective through detailed testing and research.
“Briquette energy can effectively replace conventional electricity. Our findings show that the machines we are installing will run fully on briquette power. This is not theory—it is a proven system.
“Once the factory becomes operational, Nigerians will see firsthand that our power challenges can be addressed through local innovation”, he said.
Alabi said that the National Power Technology of Nigeria in Abuja, as an institution is undertaking critical research capable of transforming Nigeria’s power sector, but stressed that stable electricity remains the foundation of national development.
“Many companies are shutting down due to high energy costs, yet briquette technology offers an affordable and sustainable alternative.”
The agricultural entrepreneur also linked efficient energy supply to improved farming practices, noting that many farmers fail to achieve optimal yields—especially in pineapple production—because they lack access to reliable power for processing and storage.
Alabi stressed that widespread adoption of briquette energy could translate into significant financial savings for Nigeria, reducing expenditure on diesel and generator maintenance and preventing the shutdown of agro-processing ventures.
He stated that the cumulative impact would amount to billions of naira saved annually, increased job creation, and improved competitiveness in the agricultural value chain.
He therefore called for greater support for homegrown innovations, saying Nigeria has the resources needed to solve its energy and agricultural challenges.
“Nigeria is a great nation with what it takes to address its problems. We must work together to make the country great again,” he said.
