The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria is playing a leading role in the race to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, chaired by the Anambra lawmaker, Afam Ogene, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday in Lagos, Dr. Abbas said: “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 it 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.
“Our legislative agenda recognises 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.”
He disclosed that recent legislative interventions made by the lawmakers included the passage of new tax reform bills that eliminate Value Added Tax on renewable energy components and Compressed Natural Gas technologies.
According to him, the reforms were designed to stimulate private investment and enhance affordability in the clean energy sector.
The Speaker hinted that the House is working to provide legal backing for Nigeria’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy of 2015,
“A framework that seeks to boost renewable energy adoption, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide,” he said.
He noted that the urgency to transition to clean energy is no longer optional, citing global energy trends that show a decisive shift toward renewables.
The Speaker argued that in 2024, renewable energy accounted for over 92 per cent 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 per cent year-on-year increase.
He said that of the $1bn approved by President Tinubu, $750m is earmarked for expanding solar energy.
“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,” local media reports quoted the Speaker as saying.
He said that of the $1bn approved by President Tinubu, $750m 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. This is just as he welcomed the launch of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy in March 2025, aimed at unlocking climate finance and enhancing project viability.
GIK/APA