2023 has been a year of change. This is ironic, considering this is happening at the expiration of Former President Muhammad Buhari’s tenure, whose mantra was “Change”. This ranges from the fluctuating exchange rates, the modification of the electricity laws that now transfer energy generation authorities to states, a memorable election, subsidy removal, increase in electricity tariff, to PMS currently selling at N617. This period has been tiring for Nigerians.
In this era of “renewed hope”, the hope of Gen Zs excelling in Nigeria is expiring. This is factored into the ever-devolving situations in Nigeria, breaking them. Starting with unemployment, many youths have sought out alternative employment options, such as starting online businesses and working remotely for international organisations. To efficiently serve their career purposes, they need sufficient energy. The national energy crises have birthed dangerous economic issues such as Nigeria’s skyrocketed brain drain—the youth clamour for a working system to develop themselves. A working system is a society that allows inhabitants to enjoy their rights and basic amenities easily, and a ‘working system” is incomplete without unlimited access to electricity. The leaders of tomorrow wallow in the grimes of energy poverty, creating a depressing environment to nurture and maximise various opportunities to use their progressive talents. Therefore, they gather every resource needed to immigrate to this system.
The majority can’t depend on the national grid, nor can they turn to renewable sources.These energy problems are due to inaccessibility and unaffordability, causing a regression by taking us back to the dependence on fossil fuels. Millions of dollars have been injected into poverty and development projects in Nigeria, national electrification inclusive. Policies have also been made to revamp existing and new infrastructures, but what provisions are made to ensure that while we adapt to the changes, we do not suffer immensely to survive? The energy sector is where to begin.
Energy is a sine qua non, especially in the transition to digitalised era. Most Nigerian SME (small and medium enterprises) businesses depend on energy for efficient production, maintenance and delivery of their products. Large industries also rely on energy to deliver to smaller units. With the current energy situation, now is the time to invest in Nigeria’s renewable energy market. Our diverse renewable sources in Nigeria are sufficient to ensure energy access to its inhabitants. We can start with the diversification and practical justification of our natural gases to support the grid systems and the integration of solar, wind, green hydrogen and other renewable sources to serve as alternatives to our grid. Stakeholders can use renewable energy to support Nigerian development by:
- Creating Mini Grids in Commercial Areas
The recent waves of technological evolutions have made energy indispensable in commercial areas. Markets squares, mega plazas, malls, and even stand-alone stores depend on energy for efficient services. Installing solar minigrid in these commercial areas will aid the preservation of livestock, customer services, production and general management. For some young business persons, the presence of electricity makes their business more accommodating to customers, so they need constant electricity to serve the purposes of their businesses. For heavy-producing industries, wind energy can be very effective.
- Renewable-Powered Workstations
As aforementioned, many Nigerian, especially tech-inclined youths, have sought to work remotely for international organisations. Local organisations have also adopted this system to ensure productivity while saving the cost of infrastructure management. Yet, effective performance can only be partially guaranteed due to the need for a constant electricity supply. A way to solve this problem is to build renewable-powered workstations, which can be located in every residential area or community that could be easily accessible to members of such districts. This could be a wind-solar hybrid power system, solar for the day and wind for the night. Depending on what working hour works best for the people.
- Capacity Building
Gen Zs must be included in the energy access programs to enjoy unlimited energy access in Nigeria. Training them in the energy space would create an opportunity for the youth to participate in developing the nations to meet specific needs. As they are conversant with current technological advancement, they can create unison between new technologies and energy systems that match the specifications of the latest technologies. Capacity building will also curb the vices in our society because it engages the youth to be productive in our community.
This article discusses Gen Zs energy needs, but all age brackets need unlimited access to electricity. Thanks to Benjamin Franklin, Nikola Tesla and Michael Faraday, energy has aided our lives in all ramifications. The government and key stakeholders have a role, but we also play an essential role. The National Association of Energy Economists pointed out that Nigeria’s current energy generation (4,000mw) is insufficient for Lagos state, let alone Nigeria. Before we get to energy sufficiency, we need to manage energy effectively. Because when we save more, we use more!