- The UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association held its sixth public lecture, delivered by Mr Kola Adesina of Sahara Power Group, focusing on challenges and solutions in Nigeria’s power sector.
- Adesina emphasised the power sector’s historical evolution, privatisation impacts, and plans, highlighting the critical role of renewable energy in Nigeria’s energy future.
- Key figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Deputy Governor Naimot Salako-Oyedele, praised the faculty’s contributions and urged current students and alums to support institutional development.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association recently held its sixth public lecture. The focus centred on the ongoing challenges and potential solutions in Nigeria’s power sector. Mr. Kola Adesina, Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, delivered the lecture “The Nigerian Power Industry: Past, Present, and Future.” This event marked part of the faculty’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
Adesina’s lecture covered three key areas: the historical evolution of Nigeria’s power sector, the impact of privatisation reforms, an overview of the industry’s current state, and future plans. He traced Nigeria’s electricity challenges from the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria to the National Electric Power Authority. He also discussed the Power Holding Company and the subsequent privatisation into 11 distribution companies (discos) and six generation companies (Gencos).
“Numerous issues affect the sector,” Adesina stated. He emphasised that these challenges hinder power generation, transmission, and distribution. He noted that resolving these issues does not yield quick results. Despite the government’s ambitious efforts to support the sector, stakeholders still struggle to achieve stability and self-sustenance in the power supply.
Adesina pointed out execution flaws that arose after privatisation. He remarked that many national priorities lack the economic value necessary for development. He expressed optimism about the energy landscape’s future. Adesina emphasised the need for decentralisation, regulatory improvements, and market reforms.
He highlighted the critical role of renewable energy in shaping Nigeria’s energy future. Adesina referred to several policies aimed at enhancing energy access. He stated, “The Renewable Energy Master Plan [2013] aims for renewable electricity to make up 36 per cent of total electricity generation by 2030.”
He also mentioned the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy [2015], which targets an increase in hydropower capacity by about 12 GW and solar capacity by 6 GW by 2030. The Energy Transition Plan [2022] aims to decarbonise the power sector, with a roadmap to achieve 197 GW of solar energy by 2050.
Adesina detailed Nigeria’s vast renewable energy potential. He stated, “Nigeria boasts impressive solar energy capacity, with an average of six sunlight hours per day and a potential of 427,000 MW for solar power generation.” He pointed out the Federal Government’s commitment to solar energy for rural electrification, primarily since it is a cost-effective solution for remote areas lacking grid connectivity.
He also discussed Nigeria’s wind energy potential, describing it as moderate. The country has substantial hydropower capacity, with an exploitable potential of 11,500 MW from its large rivers and natural falls.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who chaired the event, praised the Faculty of Engineering for its contributions to the field. He encouraged current students to follow in the footsteps of alums and return to give back to their alma mater in the future.
Ogun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Naimot Salako-Oyedele, an alumnus, praised the faculty for shaping talented engineers who have significantly impacted the world. She urged both students and alumni to commit to the institution’s development.
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola acknowledged alum achievements and called for support to improve the faculty’s infrastructure. She stressed revising course curricula and enhancing student training to meet contemporary engineering challenges.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Samson Adeosun, and Dideolu Falobi, chairman of the UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association, celebrated the faculty’s accomplishments over the past six decades. They highlighted the institution’s vital role in fostering exceptional talent in Nigeria’s engineering landscape.