- Speakers at the Diran Fawibe Lecture called for a unified strategy to ensure sustainable energy access and security in Nigeria.
- They emphasised local refining, inclusive collaboration, and investment in homegrown research to tackle energy poverty.
On Wednesday, July 16, energy leaders urged Nigeria to develop a national energy framework and build strategic partnerships to ensure long-term energy access and security.
Speaking at the 3rd Dr. Diran Fawibe Annual Lecture Series at the University of Ibadan, the experts stressed that Nigeria must prioritise affordability, accessibility, and sustainability in its energy strategy.
Themed “Development of National Framework and Partnerships for Sustainable Energy Access and Security,” the event was co-hosted by International Energy Services Limited, the Centre for Petroleum Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), and the University of Ibadan.
In his keynote address, Mr. Austin Avuru, Chairman of AA Holdings and former CEO of Seplat Petroleum, called for urgent investment in refining capacity and energy infrastructure.
“Nigeria must use its natural resources to solve its energy problems,” Avuru said. “We need a framework that guarantees long-term security. The future demands that we act now.”
Also speaking, Mr. Bayo Ige, CEO of International Energy Services Ltd., highlighted the importance of collaboration. “To grow our economy and secure energy independence, we must take collective action and shape forward-looking policies,” he said.
Dr. Diran Fawibe, Group Chairman of International Energy Services, said tackling energy poverty would require coordinated efforts from government, industry, and academia. “Energy access drives employment, education, and healthcare,” Fawibe noted. “Only strong partnerships can support innovation and deliver practical solutions.”
Prof. Rahamon Bello, the event’s chairman and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, called on Nigerian professionals to fund local research. “Our problems are unique. We need local answers. Nigerians abroad are solving global problems. We must invest in our institutions,” he said.
Representing the University of Ibadan Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter Olapegba, underscored the link between energy and development. “Energy drives modern economies. Its availability and sustainability are essential for industrialisation and the SDGs,” he said.
Prof. Olugbenga Falode, Director of CPEEL, echoed this view, stressing that energy security should become a shared national goal.
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Mrs. Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka. Speakers included Mr. Pierrepont Vanhaecke, Prof. Ikechukwu, Engr. Valerie Agberagba, Prof. Ibrahim Sulaiman, and Prof. Days Ayoade, who all voiced cautious optimism for the sector’s future.