By Nankpak Cirfat
As Africa continues to face challenges in economic and social leadership, Nigeria finds itself in a vintage position. The continent’s history of missed opportunities, from gold to oil, is well-documented. However, a new narrative is emerging, fueled by young Africans who are redefining innovation across various sectors. This reality presents Nigeria with a unique opportunity to stand out in renewable energy, a field that aligns with global efforts to combat climate change while offering significant economic benefits.
Nigeria is not only endowed but as religious Nigerians will say, blessed with an abundance of renewable energy sources, with solar power, in particular, holding immense potential due to the country’s high solar irradiance levels. The technical potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is substantial. Additionally, wind energy and hydropower present further opportunities for diversification amongst other innovative clean alternatives.
Should Nigeria decide to go the route of renewable energy, it can significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, which we’ve seen with some state governments and their agencies fully converting to clean energy as we have with Niger state. This transition not only mitigates climate change but also creates economic opportunities. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewables could meet nearly 60% of Nigeria’s energy demand by 2050, reducing oil demand by 65% and natural gas by 40%. what more could we ask for?
Despite these opportunities, Nigeria faces challenges mostly around leadership translating into inadequate infrastructure and financing. To overcome these hurdles, the government and its people must prioritize transparency and accountability while investing in grid infrastructure and implementing supportive public policies to attract investment. viable Public-private partnerships and innovative financing models can help bridge the funding gap.
This may not be a popular opinion, but Nigeria has the potential to become a global leader in renewable energy. By simply leveraging its vast resources and addressing existing challenges, the country, and by extension the African continent, can contribute significantly to the net 1.5 by the Paris Agreement while driving unprecedented economic growth and enhancing energy security, and I am optimistic that this strategic shift could redefine Nigeria’s role in the global energy landscape, positioning it as a model for sustainable development in Africa and the rest of the world.
While we may at the moment play catch-up, the reality is that Nigeria’s future in renewable energy is bright, but it requires decisive action, actions that make her fully embrace this transition, to not only meet its climate obligations but also emerge as a stallion-beacon of innovation and leadership on the continent.
