The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says Nigeria is on track to realising nearly four gigawatts per annum of solar manufacturing capacity through strategic partnerships.

Mr Adelabu said this at the Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) organised by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The forum had the theme ”Implementing the Nigeria First Policy: Facilitating Local Content Development and Manufacturing in the Renewable Energy Ecosystem.”

He noted that the forum was particularly significant because it highlighted the role of innovation and domestic capability in achieving the nation’s renewable energy and energy transition goals.

”Through strategic partnerships, de-formalised air at NRIP 2025, Nigeria is on track to realising nearly four gigawatts per annum of solar manufacturing capacity.

“This commitment to domestic manufacturing and innovation is reinforced by the efforts of the REA, which continues to extend access to unserved communities, promote mini-grids and distribute renewable energy, and nurture the ecosystem of private developers and financiers driving the transformation,” he said.

According to him, the Ministry of Power and the REA are shifting the national narrative from energy access to energy industrialisation and from the deployment to local value creation.

”As we begin this forum, which is well aligned with our sector’s priorities of energy security, industrial competitiveness, and inclusive growth, it is important to provide context on the broad policy reforms and initiatives shaping Nigeria’s power sector landscape,” he said.

The minister added that NRIP 2025 was not just another event.

”It is a declaration that Nigeria is ready to lead Africa’s renewable energy transformation as we journey towards clean, reliable, and sustainable power for all Nigerians,” he said.

He said that the theme, ”Implementing the Nigeria First Policy”, speaks to something far deeper than manufacturing, as it embodies a bold commitment to national pride, industrial competence, and long-term economic sustainability.

“In the power sector, the Nigeria First Policy reflects a determination to ensure that the next generation of clean energy technologies, from solar panels to battery energy storage systems deployed across the country, proudly carry the label ‘Made in Nigeria’.

”A vision that aligns squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises homegrown innovation, value addition, and industrial self-reliance as the foundation of our national development,” he said.

Mr Adelabu also said that the federal government was pursuing a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to reposition the Nigerian power sector for sustainability, efficiency and growth.

He said that the approach will span critical pillars, including legislation, policy reforms, infrastructure development, energy transition, access expansion, local content and capacity development.

”Each is designed to address structural challenges, unlock private capital, and enhance service delivery across the electricity value chain,” he said.

Also speaking, the managing director of REA, Abba Aliyu, said that the forum was conceived from a very simple but powerful idea: that the future of Nigeria would not be imported.

Mr Aliyu said that Nigeria was currently one of the main importers of photovoltaic (PV) panels and renewable equipment in Africa.

”We want to reverse that trend. The NREIF stands as a platform to connect policy ambition with market reality, research with investment, and innovation with implementation.

”The energy transition is accelerating, driven by advances in solar technology, battery storage, and digital energy systems. Across the world, a lot is happening.

”We must convert this immense comparative advantage into competitive strength by building industries, nurturing innovation, and driving the kind of local value creation that secures our place in the clean energy economy for Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the theme of this forum could not have come at a better time, as it captures the country’s collective aspiration to domesticate the technology industries and capabilities that will power our energy future.

”But to secure our long-term sustainability and economic competitiveness, we must go further from deployment to ensuring domestication of the value chain manufacturing in the country.

”At the Rural Electrification Agency, we see this shift as both necessary and an opportunity,” he said.

REA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some state governments on renewable energy. 

(NAN)