REAN urges action to accelerate Nigeria’s clean energy transition

L-R Dr Damilola Asaleye, Vice President REAN, Gina Bester, General Manager Solar Portfolio - Africa , Dr Abba Aliyu, MD/CEO REA, Ayo Ademilua, President REAN, Motunrayo Akinfala, CEO REAN. Credit : REAN

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria has urged stakeholders in the country’s energy sector to move beyond policy discussions and accelerate concrete actions that will unlock investment, expand energy access and drive Nigeria’s transition to clean energy. A statement released on Thursday by REAN’s Head of Communications, Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, said the call was made following the Solar & Storage Live Nigeria 2026 conference and exhibition held in Lagos. According to her, the two-day conference brought together senior government officials, regulators, investors, development finance institutions, manufacturers and renewable energy companies to discuss practical pathways for expanding renewable energy deployment, strengthening energy security and building a resilient electricity market. Speaking, REAN President, Ayo Ademilua, described Nigeria’s renewable energy sector as being at “a defining moment,” stressing that solar energy and battery storage had become indispensable to the country’s future energy mix. He called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to unlock opportunities within the industry. “The next phase of Nigeria’s energy transition must prioritise local manufacturing, affordable financing, technical capacity development, innovation, quality assurance and an enabling policy environment that encourages long-term private sector investment,” Ademilua said. Also, REAN Chief Executive Officer, Motunrayo Akinfala, said while Nigeria had made notable progress in renewable energy policy, the industry’s focus must now shift to implementation. “The time has come for us to move from talk to action. We have held the conversations, developed policies and built strong partnerships. Our priority now must be accelerating implementation, mobilising investment, supporting local businesses, enforcing quality standards and delivering reliable clean energy solutions that positively impact millions of Nigerians,” she said. The statement said discussions at the conference focused on attracting long-term investment, fiscal incentives, local content development, expanding state electricity markets, improving access to finance, strengthening local manufacturing, workforce development, product quality assurance and the growing role of battery storage in meeting Nigeria’s increasing electricity demand. It added that participants also underscored the need to eliminate substandard solar products from the Nigerian market through stronger regulatory enforcement, certification systems, installer competency and increased consumer awareness. According to the statement, stakeholders concluded the conference with a commitment to deepen collaboration, strengthen policy implementation and create a more enabling business environment to accelerate renewable energy deployment across Nigeria. REAN also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government, regulators, investors, development partners and industry players to champion policies and initiatives that expand energy access, stimulate investment, create jobs and support Nigeria’s transition to a sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future. Solomon Odeniyi Solomon Odeniyi is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over six years of professional experience. He has covered key national beats including the judiciary, military, and police, and currently reports on anti-corruption and related issues. Solomon’s work reflects a strong commitment to development-oriented reporting, public interest journalism, and accountability.

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