- Nigeria has joined the rest of the world in recognizing renewable energy as one of the most cost-effective means of ensuring energy security.
- Energy is a critical input for sustainable economic growth.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Olorunnimbe Adeleke Mamora, while declaring open the workshop on capacity building in Abuja titled: ‘’Accelerating Small Hydropower Investment’’ in Nigeria, said Nigeria is blessed with a vast amount of renewable energy sources, including Hydropower, wind, solar and biomass, noting that small Hydropower and biomass hold more significant potential towards providing access to firm electricity as well as addressing climate change.
He emphasized that proper investment in renewable energy was key for Energy Security and industrialization in Nigeria and commended United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for facilitating the dialogue that would enhance prosperity in the country through transforming the Energy sector. The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, said that the overall objective of the training was to take Nigeria from middle income to a high-income Country by 2050.
Earlier, UNIDO representative to ECOWAS and Regional Director, Nigeria Regional Office Hub, Mr Jean Bakola, who Dr Otu Osuji represented, said that energy was a critical input for sustainable economic growth, was why in 2015, the Organization, with the support of the Federal Government launched the Scaling of Small Hydropower project in Nigerian, to promote investment in hydropower Technology and strengthen local manufacturing of goods.