Energy: NASENI, REA partner to deploy affordable renewable technologies across Nigeria

*Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure collaborates with Rural Electrification Agency to deploy solar resources and other renewable energy technologies in rural areas, as well partner with NITDA to advance local content development in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a bid to increase electricity supply to consumers’ homes and businesses, Mr. Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and Mr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), are collaborating to deploy NASENI’s solar resources and other renewable energy technologies.

NASENI disclosed the commitment was the outcome of discussions between the two Chief Executives held Friday, September 15, 2023, in Abuja, FCT, when Halilu visited the Rural Electrification Agency.

Segun Ayeoyenikan, Director of Information at NASENI, stated that the visit of the agency’s EVC/CEO to REA’s office was part of his efforts at engaging with stakeholders to promote the adoption of its renewable energy technologies to boost power supply to consumers in the rural areas.

The regulatory agency also noted that Halilu, who  recently became the new Executive Vice-Chairman of NASENI, said: “The focus is to hit the ground running by nurturing effective collaborations with the right stakeholders who will assist NASENI to fulfil its mandate of providing the science and engineering infrastructure base for Nigeria’s businesses and economy to thrive.”

“The strategy, going forward, for NASENI includes knocking on the doors of potential end-users of the Agency’s technology and engineering products, making off-take of our Research & Development (R&D) easy, while also bringing the direct impact of our work to bear on the Nigerian economy.”

The agency stated the two government agencies’ CEOs also pledged to work together to bring down the cost of solar power installation in rural areas, through efforts such as increased local production of solar panels by NASENI.

Core objectives of agencies’ collaborations with REA, NITDA

According to Salihijo, Managing Director/CEO of REA, the overall goal of the collaborative effort is to facilitate the Federal Government’s plan to achieve the electrification of Nigeria’s rural areas in record time.

The Director of Information at NASENI said earlier Friday, Halilu had visited Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on a similar mission towards  advancing local content development in the West African country.

The two CEOs as well emphasised the need to look inwards and develop local content (human and material) capacity to transform the Nigerian economy.

Ayeoyenikan further stated Halilu sought to leverage the long-standing relationship between himself and NITDA Director-General, and also between the two organisations.

The essence these efforts is to share experiences and best practices in management and in resource optimisation, said NASENI.

Abdullahi also disclosed that NITDA’s strategy of focusing on changing both the mindsets and skill-sets of the staff of the Information Technology (IT) regulatory agency underscores the two critical factors that have helped the Agency achieve up to 62 percent of its goals and objectives within two years, ahead of its four-year projection.

The NITDA Chief further assured Halilu that the same approach would work for NASENI, as long as there is a well-thought-out strategic plan, and clarity of vision and goals in the organisation.