Hon. Suleiman Umar Says Nigeria Must Focus on Local Manufacturing and Implementation in Renewable Energy Sector

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The Honourable Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Niger State, Hon. Suleiman Umar, has said Nigeria must now focus on local manufacturing, implementation and quality assurance to achieve a sustainable renewable energy future.

Hon. Umar stated this while reacting to outcomes from Solar & Storage Live Nigeria 2026 and the Lagos Solar Forum held in Lagos.

The President of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, REAN, Ayo Ademilua, said renewable energy has become indispensable to the country’s future energy mix. He described the sector as being at a defining moment.

Ademilua called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector. He said the next phase must prioritise local manufacturing, affordable financing, technical capacity, innovation and quality assurance.

REAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Motunrayo Akinfala, said the focus must now shift from policy to action. She noted that the priority should be implementation, investment, support for local businesses, and delivery of reliable clean energy.

Participants at the conference also stressed the need to remove substandard solar products from the market through better regulation and certification.

At the Lagos Solar Forum, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Operations, Prof. Olamide Fagbuji, called for increased local manufacturing of solar panels, batteries and inverters.

He said Nigeria must reduce dependence on imports to strengthen energy security and create jobs. He added that the country’s youthful population can support a competitive green workforce.

Stakeholders at the forum urged the Federal Government to adopt a phased approach to solar imports instead of an immediate ban. They said this will protect energy access while local capacity is built.

Hon. Umar said the resolutions from both events align with what Niger State is pursuing under the New Niger Agenda of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to work with the Federal Government, REAN and partners to expand energy access and support a sustainable energy future for Nigeria.


A.B Makama 

Media Strategist To Honorable Commissioner For Power and Renewable Energy 

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