The Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress, APC, says it will fully support President Bola Tinubu’s push for renewable energy to help grow Nigeria’s economy.
APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, made the pledge on Monday at the opening of the Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship, MAELF, in Abuja.
The 7-day training program is for young professionals in the energy sector. It will focus on renewable energy, climate action, energy policies, leadership and good governance.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Israel said poor power supply is still the biggest problem affecting businesses and industries in Nigeria.
He said the youth wing is ready to work with the Tinubu government to solve the problem.
“Energy has been a major problem in Nigeria, and the President has said that if he doesn’t fix the energy issue, we should hold him responsible,” Israel said.
“As a party, we must support the President to achieve his energy goals.”
He explained that the fellowship was set up to link young people in the energy space with government agencies and decision makers.
Participants will meet with the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Renewable Energy Agency and other energy bodies to discuss solutions.
“The focus is on renewable energy, biogas and other clean sources. We want ‘UP NEPA’ to be a thing of the past,” he added.
“Small businesses need power. Industrialization needs power. That is why we must bring in new people with new ideas.”
Mr. Israel also announced a N17.5 million grant for the fellows. The grant is supported by Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He said the money and other support will help young Nigerians grow their energy businesses.
He further said that President Tinubu’s big road projects, like the Lagos Coastal Road, Badagry Expressway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway, will only work if there is steady electricity.
“When you build roads, you build industries. You need power at the heart of all of these things,” he said.
One of the fellows, Nafisat Ovurebu, who co-founded Fosun Solar Energy Nigeria Limited, said Nigeria does not lack energy resources, but lacks reliable supply.
“We have abundant energy resources, but that does not automatically translate to reliability,” she said.
She added that programs like MAELF can help find lasting solutions by looking at how power is generated, distributed and funded.
She expressed hope that the fellowship will prepare young professionals to help fix the power sector.
