Electricity: Nigeria inaugurates National Energy Master Plan implementation committee

*Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, tasked the Implementation Committee with the responsibility of spearheading the country’s transition to a cleaner, more inclusive and sustainable energy future

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of measures to reposition Nigeria’s energy sector for optimal service delivery to the citizenry, the Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated the National Energy Master Plan (NEMP) Implementation Committee (NEMiC).

Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), on behalf of members of the Committee formally submitted the NEMiC to Chief Uche Nnaji, Honourable Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology.

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Dr. Robert Ngwu, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Minister said disclosed this development in a statement, at the weekend, in Abuja, FCT.

Ngwu noted Chief Nnaji tasked the Implementation Committee with the responsibility of spearheading the country’s transition to a cleaner, more inclusive, and sustainable energy future.

The government emphasised that the inauguration marked the beginning of full implementation phase of the National Energy Master Plan.

The Minister also assured Nigerians that the Committee would deliver real impact to consumers, including households, industries, and communities nationwide.

He stated: “The National Energy Masterplan is not just a document; it is a blueprint for transforming our energy landscape.

“NEMiC must fast-track the deployment of energy solutions that are reliable, affordable, and climate-friendly.

“The work you do will directly influence Nigeria’s economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability.”

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Nnaji as well expressed confidence that the Committee would deliver on the assignment.

The Minister averred: “The decisions and actions taken by this Committee will define Nigeria’s energy trajectory for decades to come.

“This is a responsibility of the highest order, and I am confident NEMiC has the capacity, the vision, and the commitment to rise to the occasion.”

ConsumerConnect reports NEMP is a comprehensive framework designed to guide Nigeria’s energy diversification, strengthen energy security and align national development with global climate action goals.

Constituted on Oct. 17, 2024 by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), NEMiC is tasked with mobilising funding and investing in renewable energy infrastructure.

It also has the responsibility of accelerating the deployment of technologies that expand access to reliable and affordable power.

Over 80 million Nigerian consumers lack reliable electricity while and more than 90 percent of households yet depend on biomass for cooking in the West African country.

Commenting on the development, some stakeholders affirmed the inauguration of NEMiC would represent a bold, strategic move to accelerate universal energy access, drive industrialisation, and position Nigeria as a continental leader in clean energy development.

Among other dignitaries at the event were Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, Managing Director, Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi), and Jide Awolowo, Investments Facilitation Coordinator of the Initiative.

Top Executives from global power and engineering companies such as Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC), Power China International Group, and Energy China attended the forum.

Amb. Abaka Johnson Philbert, alongside representatives of international development organisations, including UNIDO and UNDP, equally attend the event, among others.

The Implementation Committee would oversee projects across solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and other emerging technologies.

Besides, it is advancing the operationalisation of the National Energy Fund meant to channel resources into domestic energy efficiency and infrastructure projects.

According to stakeholders, the Master Plan presents an opportunity to close the long-standing energy gaps while unlocking new economic frontiers in the power ecosystem.