The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) has called for more funding, deeper collaboration among industry players, and consistent government support to speed up Nigeria’s shift to renewable power and make electricity more affordable across the country.
Speaking at the maiden Solar & Storage Live Nigeria Conference on Saturday, REAN President and CEO of A4&T Power Solutions, Ayo Ademilua, said Nigeria is blessed with abundant renewable resources such as solar, hydro, wind, and biomass. He stated that tapping these resources fully will improve power supply, boost energy security, and broaden the nation’s energy mix.
Ademilua explained that the conference was put together to link Nigerian renewable energy stakeholders with international manufacturers, technology firms, and investors in order to grow the local clean energy market.
The event assembled policymakers, investors, equipment makers, and project developers to discuss opportunities in solar energy, battery storage, and other clean technologies.
Describing it as the largest renewable energy gathering in Nigeria this year, Ademilua said the goal was to expose local companies to global innovations and attract fresh capital into the fast-expanding sector.
He also addressed concerns about cost, noting that solar technology has become much cheaper over the last 10 years due to technological progress and wider adoption. He added that as global production increases, prices of renewable products continue to fall, making clean energy more cost-effective than fossil fuels in the long run.
“Renewable energy should not be judged only by upfront cost. It is an asset that delivers value for many years, unlike fossil fuels that require continuous spending on fuel,” Ademilua said.
He praised REAN members for partnering with Solar & Storage Live South Africa to bring the conference to West Africa for the first time. The South African edition has run for more than 15 years.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, said Nigeria’s renewable energy space is entering a new phase powered by artificial intelligence, battery storage, and private sector participation.
Aliyu disclosed that REA has deployed AI-driven planning and monitoring tools to map over 750,000 communities nationwide. This, he said, helps government determine the best electrification model for each area, whether mini-grids, solar home systems, or grid extension.
He added that the agency is rolling out AI-enabled smart meters and centralized monitoring systems to improve mini-grid performance and ensure greater accountability.
According to him, battery storage represents the next major opportunity in Nigeria’s power sector, and investors should position themselves as deployment scales up.
Aliyu further noted that programs such as the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up and the upcoming Desert to Power initiative are designed to reduce investment risks and attract private capital. He said collaboration with state governments has also improved, with faster land access, better policy alignment, and stronger investment promotion.
The conference featured panel sessions with regulators, legal experts, distribution companies, and renewable developers. Discussions focused on reforms required to unlock embedded generation, captive power, mini-grids, and energy storage as Nigeria works to expand access and strengthen energy security.
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