My team and I recently held a vital meeting with top representatives of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). This collaborative meeting was convened with one clear purpose: to explore transformative strategies for reactivating the economic potential of our local governments and communities, positioning households as centers of prosperity.
A critical enabler of this vision is ensuring energy security, an essential foundation for driving sustainable growth. ALGON presented the Sustainable Energy Access Project (SEAP), a groundbreaking initiative designed to tackle energy poverty head-on.
This initiative, a collaboration between ALGON and Data Analytics and Solutions Ltd, proposes scalable technologies and innovative financing models to deliver affordable and clean energy to every local government area in Nigeria. I am particularly inspired by the potential of SEAP to directly align with our ministry’s mandate to drive innovation, foster technological advancements, and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7: affordable and clean energy for all.
As we all know, Nigeria faces a profound energy crisis, particularly in rural areas, where the lack of reliable energy hampers development and devastates livelihoods. Energy access is not just an infrastructure issue; it is a social justice imperative. Through the SEAP initiative, it creates a possibility to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions for cooking, transportation, and other essential needs, unlocking the economic potential of our rural communities.
The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is deeply committed to this mission. The ministry’s role in SEAP will include offering technical and policy expertise, fostering partnerships, and crafting a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable energy access. This aligns seamlessly with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of strengthening local government councils as drivers of grassroots development and socio-economic growth.
The SEAP initiative represents an unparalleled opportunity to liberate millions of Nigerians from the grip of energy poverty. It will require significant investments, robust stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building efforts, but the potential rewards are immense. By integrating energy solutions into rural development plans, we can uplift communities, improve livelihoods, and create a platform for shared prosperity across Nigeria.
The discussion included (Hon.) Engr. Bello Lawal, National President of ALGON; Chief Moses Nomeh, Deputy National President of ALGON; Andy Ibekaku, Director of Data Analytics and Solutions Ltd; Elder Okoronkwo Chudu, BOT Treasurer of IPMAN and Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, DG/CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.
With a renewed sense of optimism, the potential of the SEAP initiative will be enormous. The discussion included representatives of ALGON, Data Analytics and Solutions Ltd, IPMAN and the DG/CEO Energy Commission, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, all of whom are key stakeholders in advancing energy security and science and technology backed transformative energy solutions for Nigerians.