- Nigeria aims to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030 through the Mission 300 Initiative, which the World Bank and the Afdb jointly fund.
- President Tinubu approved $1 billion for rural electrification to expand clean energy access nationwide.
- Lawmakers urge an urgent shift to renewable energy as dependence on fossil fuels hinders development.
Nigeria has taken the lead in Africa’s energy access push. By 2030, the country plans to provide electricity to 300 million Africans.
Abbas announced this announcement on Monday, May 5, at the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy in Lagos. The House Committee on Renewable Energy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly hosted the event.
He highlighted Nigeria’s role in the Mission 300 Initiative, a joint project with the World Bank and the African Development Bank. The initiative aims to speed up electricity access across the continent.
“On the continental stage, Nigeria has taken a leadership role,” Abbas said. “Through Mission 300, we aim to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.”
He acknowledged the progress but urged institutions to stay committed and work together to achieve the goal.
Abbas also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving $1 billion for the Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024. He said the fund will help expand clean energy access across the country.
He called the conference timely and critical to ongoing energy reforms and assured stakeholders that the National Assembly would continue to support clean energy policies.
“Our economy’s future depends on how we manage this transition,” he added.
The House Committee on Renewable Energy Chairman, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, also addressed the gathering. He urged stakeholders to take immediate action to fix Nigeria’s energy crisis.
He criticised Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels, despite its rich reserves. He said this approach has failed to deliver stable power and has stunted economic growth.
“The power supply problem is not just technical,” Ogene said. “It blocks development and progress.”
He explained that unreliable electricity keeps businesses from growing, reduces productivity, and limits job creation.
Ogene called for a full shift toward renewable energy. He urged lawmakers to make clean energy central to the country’s strategy.
He promised that the House Committee would continue supporting laws that drive the adoption of renewable energy.
He also urged stronger ties between government agencies, the private sector, and development partners.
“We must build an energy future based on innovation and sustainability,” he said.
Lawmakers, energy experts, and development partners attended the conference. They discussed improving laws, securing financing, and speeding up renewable energy projects.
Speakers urged the government to increase funding, improve coordination, and fix policy issues that block progress.
They also called on regulators to remove obstacles that delay energy access efforts.
Stakeholders said Nigeria’s lead in the Mission 300 Initiative could push other African countries to act.
The conference ended with a strong call for lawmakers to drive reforms and for partners to support clean energy.
The event signalled a renewed push to align Nigeria’s legislative efforts with Africa’s energy goals.