Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the ongoing energy transition process in Nigeria as the most critical phase in advancing the country’s energy security.

Mr Sanwo-Olu made the remarks during the Under2 States and Regions Dialogue at the London Climate Summit with the theme, “Advancing Energy Security in a Volatile World,” organised by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Under2 Coalition in London.

This is contained in a statement signed by the governor’s special adviser on media and publicity, Gboyega Akosile, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said that recent reforms in the power sector had created new opportunities for subnational government.

The governor said that the unbundling of the electricity sector, which now allowed states to participate in power generation and distribution, would significantly help in addressing the energy challenges faced by citizens.

According to him, Lagos State is leveraging the new policy environment to improve electricity access and strengthen energy sufficiency through innovative power solutions.

“I am from a country where I run a state of nearly 25 million people and, until very recently, everything regarding power generation and distribution was nationally controlled.

“However, the sector has now opened up, allowing states to participate across the entire value chain, from generation to distribution. We are actively changing the narrative around energy sufficiency.

“About 45 per cent of the power generated in the country passes through Lagos, which underscores the scale of our responsibility and opportunity,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos State was developing mini-grid solutions to serve smaller communities, noting that the initiative had significantly improved electricity access.

“We are designing models that allow us to manage and feed smaller communities through mini-grids.

“People who previously had less than 12 hours of electricity daily now enjoy between 20 and 21 hours of supply. This has greatly improved their economic productivity and quality of life,” he said.

The governor also highlighted his administration’s investment in renewable energy, saying that more than 45,000 solar-powered streetlights and poles had been installed across different parts of Lagos in the last year.

He stressed the importance of Africa in the global energy transition conversation, citing the continent’s vast renewable energy potential and mineral resources.

“Statistics show that 60 per cent of solar energy potential is in Africa, while 30 per cent of the world’s critical minerals are located on the continent, which is also home to about 25 per cent of the global population.

“If the world is serious about a successful energy transition, Africa must be at the centre of the conversation.

“To achieve relevance and scale, investments must flow to regions that have historically been underserved,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Sanwo-Olu announced Lagos State’s commitment to hosting a Climate Action Week later in the year, aimed at showcasing climate initiatives and sustainable development projects across the state.

The governor made the announcement during an engagement with stakeholders on the sidelines of the summit.

According to him, the event, expected to be held in September, will provide an opportunity for governments, investors and development partners to witness first-hand the climate-focused projects being implemented in Lagos.

“We have undertaken many tangible projects, and it is important for people to come to Lagos and see them for themselves. The opportunities are real, the infrastructure is growing, and we are ready to engage with global partners.

“We are making a commitment to host our own Climate Action Week in September, where nations and stakeholders from around the world can come and see what we are doing, not only in Lagos but across the sub-Saharan African region.

“We are using Lagos as a test case, and we are fully committed to making the Climate Action Week a reality,” he said.

The governor reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to climate resilience, renewable energy development and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating sustainable growth and energy access. 

(NAN)