The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Energy Engineering Corporation Ltd (Energy China) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The agreement, which seeks to address Nigeria’s long-standing energy challenges, would leverage innovative partnerships and international collaboration.
Speaking during the signing of the MoU, the Director-General of the ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi alongside the representatives of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Abdullahi emphasized that the agreement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has already initiated transformative reforms in the power sector.
This, he said is in addition to the amendment of the constitution and the signing of the Nigerian Electricity Act 2023, a reform which he said empowers states to regulate their own electricity markets, making the Nigerian Governors’ Forum a vital partner in this initiative.
He commended the Forum for embracing this opportunity to jointly tackle the nation’s energy needs.
The agreement outlines a comprehensive framework to support the expansion of Nigeria’s renewable energy capacity with a focus on solar, wind and hydro-electric solutions.
In addition, the partnership will facilitate the establishment of the Nigeria-China Renewable Energy Research Centre, which aims to boost technological innovation and human capacity development in the renewable energy space.
Speaking on behalf of the NGF, the Gombe state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Commissioner of Finance in the state, Muhammad Magaji stressed the need to empower states in the renewable energy transition.
He also pledged the NGF’s support for the partnership with China Energy to accelerate energy access nationwide.
Similarly, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, stressed the agreement’s role in expanding clean energy access and strengthening state-level energy planning.
