During a recent press briefing, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, emphasized the federal government’s strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development through strategic investments in education and research.
In a significant development, the federal government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with nine Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) to deliver reliable solar power to key governmental agencies and institutions across the country. This agreement will benefit several major entities, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
At the ceremony in Abuja, Abba Aliyu, Chief Executive of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), highlighted that the recent enactment of the Electricity Act enables subnational governments and private developers to contribute to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution for communities. He detailed ongoing efforts by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to develop comprehensive electrification plans targeting education, agriculture, health, and security sectors.
“With the MoU signed with the NPTF, we aim to extend our electrification initiatives to police infrastructure, while our collaboration with the NADF focuses on minimizing post-harvest losses,” Aliyu explained. He also noted that the NIS plays a crucial role in migration management and border control, necessitating reliable electricity for their operations.
In total, pushing past previous agreements, the government has now secured a collective generation capacity of over 1,500 megawatts planned to roll out across the nation within three years.
Aliyu mentioned that these partnerships will be funded by a $750 million initiative aimed at invigorating $1.1 billion in private sector investment for renewable energy. “This funding serves as a capital subsidy to encourage private investors to contribute toward establishing essential electricity infrastructure in the country,” he added.
Olufemi Akinyelure, head of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), also spoke about the strength of integrating private investments and technical expertise through these partnerships, which are supported by the REA’s frameworks and oversight. He underscored the RESCO model’s flexibility, noting, “The Pay-As-You-Go payment system allows low-income households and businesses to access clean and reliable energy affordably, while RESCOs manage installation and maintenance, ensuring a seamless experience.”
Doris Uboh, Executive Director of the REF, discussed the collaborative potential of the public and private sectors in leveraging renewable energy opportunities. She revealed that in 2024, the Capital Projects Division has earmarked N111 billion to implement 440 major projects nationwide, including extensive solar installations in rural areas.
In his remarks, Mohammed Sheidu, Executive Secretary of the NPTF, stated that the solar infrastructure rollout would significantly enhance the operational capacity and welfare of the police force. “By reducing reliance on conventional energy sources, we aim to provide our personnel with sustainable and reliable power, enabling them to serve and protect more effectively,” he noted.
Additionally, Minister Lawal outlined plans to elevate the Federal College of Forestry in Ibadan and Jos to degree-awarding institutions as part of broader investments in forestry education and research. Speaking at the college’s 85th anniversary, he commended its dedication to addressing vital environmental issues and the role it plays in producing experts who shape policy and conservation efforts.
“We stand firm in our commitment to environmental protection and development, acknowledging education and research’s crucial role in this endeavor,” he declared. “Together, we can forge policies that advocate for sustainable practices while supporting communities reliant on forestry.”
Senator Yunus Akintunde, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, assured attendees that the National Assembly would address the exclusion of monotechnics from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as requested by the college provost. He pledged the Senate’s support for the institution’s goals while encouraging management to explore additional revenue-generating avenues.
