The House of Representatives will host its first National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy from May 5 to 6 in Lagos State, aimed at advancing Nigeria’s energy transition and legislative framework for renewables.
Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Ogene, announced at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ogene said the conference would bring together key stakeholders, legislators, and industry players to deliberate on critical issues, including renewable energy legislation, financing, investment opportunities, and policy development.
“The conference is designed to develop a national legislative framework that supports renewable energy deployment in Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that recent reforms in Nigeria’s power sector necessitated the legislative gathering, including the Fifth Alteration Bill 2022 (No. 33), now law, which allows states to legislate on electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within areas covered by the national grid — a mandate previously restricted to off-grid zones.
Ogene also cited the Electricity Act 2023, signed into law in February 2024, which empowers states to issue licenses and develop laws for electricity activities across the entire value chain.
“These reforms lay the foundation for decentralised energy markets, where renewable energy — especially solar-powered off-grid solutions — becomes the most cost-effective option for reaching unserved and underserved communities,” he explained.
He added that the forthcoming National Integrated Electricity Policy 2025 provides a strategic framework for states to build their local electricity markets with renewable energy as a core component.
Ogene said the conference would promote knowledge sharing, facilitate dialogue among lawmakers, experts, and investors, and align Nigeria with global best practices in renewable energy legislation and regulation.
Key objectives of the event include:
- Recommending policy and legislative reforms to promote renewable energy;
- Proposing legal instruments to attract both public and private investments;
- Enhancing intergovernmental collaboration between federal and state legislatures.
The conference, he noted, would also deepen public understanding of the legislative role in driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The event is being organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy, in partnership with the Office of the Speaker, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
International participants include the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and delegations from the parliaments of South Africa, Ghana, and The Gambia, who will showcase best practices and support the Committee’s efforts in shaping Nigeria’s renewable energy landscape.
