Nigeria Steps Into Leadership Role to Electrify Africa by 2030 – Speaker Abbas
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has declared Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s clean energy transformation, revealing a bold target to help deliver electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Delivering a keynote address at the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy in Lagos, organized by the House Committee on Renewable Energy in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Speaker Abbas described Nigeria’s participation in the Mission 300 Initiative as part of a collaboration with the World Bank and the African Development Bank as a clear statement of continental leadership.
“Through our involvement in Mission 300, Nigeria is stepping up to help light up Africa. We’re working toward providing electricity to 300 million Africans by the end of the decade,” Abbas stated. “It’s an ambitious goal, but one that underscores our responsibility and potential to drive change on a continental scale.”
He praised President Bola Tinubu for approving a $1 billion financing initiative for the Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024, a move that he said is already yielding tangible progress. Of that amount, $750 million is set aside for expanding off-grid solar energy solutions, including 124 new mini-grids and more than 25,000 solar home systems, benefiting over 200,000 Nigerians in underserved areas.
“These are game-changing investments,” Abbas noted. “They show what is possible when government policy, financing, and legislation work in tandem.”
The Speaker emphasized that legislative reform is central to this transition. He highlighted the 10th National Assembly’s creation of a Standing Committee on Renewable Energy, and tax reform bills that eliminate VAT on renewable energy components and compressed natural gas (CNG) technology, critical steps, he said, to attract private investment and lower costs.
“Our legislative agenda prioritizes clean energy access. We’re not only enacting reforms; we’re laying the legal groundwork for long-term sustainability,” he said. “We are also working to provide legal backing to Nigeria’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (REEEP) of 2015, to curb emissions and boost efficiency nationwide.”
Speaker Abbas warned that ignoring the global shift toward renewables would put Nigeria at a strategic disadvantage. He cited recent data showing that in 2024, renewables made up over 92% of new global power capacity, driven mainly by solar and wind energy.
“The global energy landscape is undergoing a structural shift. Countries investing in renewables are shaping the future. Nigeria must be part of that movement not just to meet our domestic needs but to remain relevant and competitive,” he said.
He also called for a unified effort across Africa, encouraging parliaments to strengthen legislation, decentralize energy policy, and support independent power producers. Abbas cited examples from countries like Egypt and Germany that have used strong legal frameworks to drive their energy transitions.
Calling for urgency and unity, he said, “Let us not lose the momentum we’ve built. Let this conference be remembered not just for the conversations it sparked, but for the change it inspired.”
A Continental and Legislative Push for Clean Energy
Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, echoed the Speaker’s call, emphasizing that Nigeria’s reliance on fossil fuels has failed to deliver reliable electricity or unlock full economic potential.
“The persistent power supply crisis is more than a technical challenge, it’s a major obstacle to development,” Ogene said. He called for urgent diversification of Nigeria’s energy sources and confirmed that the Committee is taking steps to ensure government agencies begin transitioning to renewable power.
Ogene also revealed that investigations have been launched into the management of past renewable energy investments, to promote accountability and prevent misuse of future funds.
“This transition is about more than electricity, it’s about jobs, innovation, and a future for our youth,” he added. “Each solar panel installed is a step toward skills development and economic inclusion.”
Regional and Global Support for Nigeria’s Energy Ambitions
The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Hon. Alban Bagbin (represented by First Deputy Speaker Hon. Bernard Ahiafor), praised Nigeria for taking the lead in addressing Africa’s energy crisis and called on other African legislators to follow suit.
Quoting data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Ahiafor noted that while the world is rapidly adopting renewable energy, Africa still has over 600 million people without access to electricity even though it holds 60% of the world’s solar resources.
Ahiafor pointed to Ghana’s renewable energy successes, such as a 50MW solar PV farm and the region’s first floating solar plant, as examples of what is possible with the right legal frameworks and international support.
UNDP: This Is a Defining Moment for Nigeria
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Elsie Atafuah delivered a powerful call to action, warning that the cost of inaction is too high.
“The countries that master the green value chain will shape the future global order,” she said. “Nigeria has the people, the resources, and the influence to lead. But leadership requires vision, courage, and swift legislative action.”
She noted that the world is rapidly reorganizing around energy, minerals, and climate security. The choices Nigeria makes now, she said, will determine its competitiveness and relevance for decades to come.
Atafuah reaffirmed the UNDP’s commitment to supporting Nigeria with policy design, scalable solutions, and financing strategies to accelerate its clean energy journey.
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