Industry experts at the 100th Power dialogue, a significant milestone organised by The Electricity Hub, TEH, a subsidiary of Nextier, have described energy as the oxygen for development in any society.
The dialogue which held in Abuja brought together a panel of experts to tackle Nigeria’s energy challenges, and contended that developing tailored policies and frameworks that cater to the unique needs of various sectors is crucial to achieving widespread energy access and boosting agricultural productivity.
The event focused on the critical role of energy access in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, clean cooking, and transportation.
The panellists included Engr. Olayiwola Ajilore, Service Director of Gas Power Services at GE Vernova, GE International Operations Nigeria; Lady Ireene Davis Arinze, Founder of LIDA Network; Sophia Umite-Uka, a Sustainable Energy Expert; and Safiyah Ahmed, Agro-Consultant at Sophie Farms and Investment Services Limited. Each expert shared their valuable insights on how energy access is essential to driving sustainable development across these vital sectors.
Irene David Arinze opened the discussion by emphasising the importance of energy access in vital sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and clean cooking. She acknowledged the milestone of the 100th Power Dialogue and highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to address the growing energy deficiencies affecting these industries.
Engineer Olayiwola Ajilore emphasised the need to shift Nigeria’s energy consumption from residential to industrial and commercial sectors to drive economic growth. He discussed the critical role of reliable electricity in healthcare, with examples of hospitals struggling due to power outages, underscoring the urgency of addressing energy gaps in this vital sector.
He highlighted the evolving role of gas-to-power solutions as a reliable energy source for agricultural processing. He noted that while renewable energy is crucial for sustainable development, gas will play a significant role during the transition period, bridging current and future energy needs.
Sophia Imite spotlighted how clean energy solutions can directly enhance agricultural productivity, especially for smallholder farmers who face significant energy access challenges. She highlighted the importance of effective public-private partnerships (PPPs) to ensure energy access reaches underserved communities.
These partnerships, she argued, must be built on sustainable financing mechanisms and community engagement to be truly effective.
Safiyah Ahmed added that many farmers are impoverished due to inadequate energy resources, emphasising the need to industrialise agriculture through improved energy access.
She focused on the substantial role of smallholder farmers, who comprise over 50% of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce. She also highlighted the lack of energy access in rural areas and how it stifles farm productivity and food security. She underlined the need for tailored solutions considering the varying energy needs of different crops and farming practices.
The panellists discussed the implications of energy access for the transport sector, particularly the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) and the role of gas-powered generators in providing backup energy. They emphasised the importance of infrastructural development and technical know-how for maintaining EVs and the need for energy systems that support the growing demand for electric transportation.
The panel concluded with a solid call to action for all stakeholders, government, private sector, and communities, to collaborate on innovative solutions to address energy challenges. The panellists stressed that developing tailored policies and frameworks that cater to the unique needs of various sectors is crucial to achieving widespread energy access and boosting agricultural productivity.
They highlighted the significance of community engagement and the need for policy prioritisation to ensure long-term sustainability. The dialogue is framed as a critical step in addressing energy access issues in Nigeria, particularly in underserved communities.
The insights provided by the panellists underscore the interconnectedness of energy, agriculture, healthcare, and economic development, advocating for a collaborative approach to overcome existing challenges.
