- NEF2026 will convene policymakers, investors, manufacturers and innovators to advance sustainable industrialisation in Nigeria.
- The forum will unveil a UN-ECA report on lithium value addition and showcase innovative energy solutions from student entrepreneurs.
The 11th Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF2026) will bring together policymakers, manufacturers, investors, energy transition operators, entrepreneurs and innovators committed to transforming Nigeria’s resources into industries, jobs and sustainable prosperity.
Dr Oluwole Adeuyi, Chairman of the forum, announced this in a statement issued on Monday, June 23, 2026 in Lagos. The annual conference will take place on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Marcellina Conference Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Organisers will centre discussions on the theme, “Upscaling Value Addition for Sustainable Industrialisation.”
Adeuyi said NEF2026 comes at a critical time as Nigeria and other African countries pursue strategies to create jobs, strengthen industries, increase exports, attract investments and build globally competitive economies.
He also stressed that countries must convert their natural resources, innovation and human capital into value-added products, thriving industries and sustainable prosperity to achieve long-term economic success. “NEF2026 will bring together the people, ideas and partnerships needed to make this happen,” Adeuyi said.
He added that the forum will spotlight multi-billion-dollar opportunities across critical minerals, clean energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, circular economy solutions, industrial decarbonisation, agriculture, technology and sustainable finance.
Adeuyi also revealed that the forum will officially unveil a case study report published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) titled Lithium in Nigeria: Enhancing Sustainable Production, Processing and Value Addition.
Furthermore, Mr Adekunle Makinde, Co-Chairman of the forum, described NEF2026 as a platform designed to drive action and collaboration. He said the event will create opportunities for investors, manufacturers, policymakers, energy utilities and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate and deliver measurable impact.
Makinde explained that organisers designed the forum to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, investors, manufacturers, technology providers, researchers and development partners. “It offers a unique opportunity to connect ideas with investment, innovation with industry and policy with implementation,” he said. He disclosed that more than 400 participants will attend the event, while 25 speakers have already confirmed their participation.
According to him, discussions will focus on strategies that can help Nigeria move beyond exporting raw materials and build stronger local capacity for processing, manufacturing and industrial value addition.
Meanwhile, Makinde confirmed that keynote speakers will include Caroline Emboubou, CEO of All On; Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board; and Abdulrahman Yinusa, Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company Limited.
Other keynote speakers include Mfikeyi Makayi, Chief Executive Officer for Africa at KoBold Metals; Ibironke Olubamise, National Coordinator of GEF-SGP UNDP Nigeria; Abba Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA); and Dr Lanre Babalola, Special Adviser to the President on Power and Energy.
Dr Bamise Olanrewaju, Strategy and Innovation Director of NEF, said Nigeria can leverage the global energy transition to develop competitive industries, strengthen critical minerals value chains and accelerate sustainable economic growth.
In addition, she announced that confirmed speakers and panellists include Engr. Abdu Bello, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO); Adrian Clews, Chief Executive Officer of Hinckley Africa; and Engr. Obadiah Nkom, Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office.
Other panellists include Sascha Raabe, Head of the Global Alliance for Responsible and Green Minerals at UNIDO; Febisola Oyeniyi, General Manager of Enterprise Sales at MTN; Iyanuoluwa Shittu, Programme Officer at the African Climate Foundation; and Emem Umoh, Chief Executive Officer of Women in Conservation (WINCO).
Olanrewaju further disclosed that organisers will hold the finals and awards ceremony of the Tertiary Institutions Students Energy Pitch Contest during the forum. She noted that All On has sponsored the competition for the fourth consecutive year as part of activities marking the organisation’s 10th anniversary.
According to her, the competition attracted 107 teams comprising 370 students from 36 universities and polytechnics across Nigeria. The top 10 finalists will present innovative technologies and business models before a panel of industry experts, investors and development partners.
The finalists will compete for grant prizes and national recognition.
Olanrewaju expressed confidence that NEF2026 will generate new partnerships, investment commitments, technology collaborations and policy recommendations that will shape Nigeria’s industrial landscape for years.
She added that registration remains open to cross-sector stakeholders, energy professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, investment managers, project developers and innovation exhibitors.