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The Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, has called for stronger partnerships among government, academia and industry to translate scientific research into practical clean energy solutions.
This is coming as the Federal Government has set 2060 as the target for Nigeria to build a power system driven largely by solar energy and storage, with green hydrogen expected to provide backup power and help reduce carbon emissions in heavy industries.
Olarinde said the transition to clean energy required sustained investment in research, effective policies, industrial innovation and the development of skilled workers.
She spoke at the second International Green Hydrogen Summit held at the university on Friday, with the theme “Nigeria’s Pathway to Clean Energy: The Science, Policy and Industry Nexus.”
The Vice-Chancellor urged participants to ensure that the summit produced practical solutions and lasting partnerships capable of advancing Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions.
Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria’s Pathway to Clean Energy: The Science, Policy and Industry Nexus,” the Director-General
Dr Mustapha Abdullahi said the country had significant renewable energy resources but needed innovation and stronger collaboration between government, academia and industry to harness them.
Abdullahi, who was represented by Bolaji Sulu-Ibrahim, said Nigeria needed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies, scientific research and local manufacturing to achieve the target.
He noted that solar radiation in parts of the North-West, particularly Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, ranged between 6.0 and 7.0 kilowatt-hours per square metre daily, presenting considerable opportunities for solar power generation.
Abdullahi added that Nigeria also has vast hydropower resources, wind potential in parts of the North and abundant biomass, but its installed renewable energy capacity stood at about 2,638 megawatts in 2024.
He said the gap between the country’s renewable energy potential and its existing capacity underscored the need for investment in research, technology development and infrastructure.
He disclosed that the Commission was implementing a solarisation programme for public facilities, particularly in the health and education sectors, while its six energy research centres across the geopolitical zones were expected to strengthen research and innovation.
He, however, identified dependence on imported solar modules, inverters and batteries, inadequate grid infrastructure, shortages of skilled personnel, substandard equipment and limited access to finance as challenges confronting the sector.
The DG stressed the need for local manufacturing, improved grid integration, quality standards and innovative financing models, saying that addressing the challenges would require more than laboratory inventions.
On green hydrogen, Abdullahi said electricity accounted for between 60 and 80 per cent of its production cost, making affordable renewable energy crucial to the commercial viability of the emerging technology.
He added that about 1,583 megawatts of underutilised hydropower capacity could complement variable solar generation and support the development of green hydrogen.
He also called for the accelerated approval of the draft National Hydrogen Policy, the establishment of a National Hydrogen Council and the development of a national framework for hydrogen research, capacity building and education.
He urged universities and research institutions to collaborate with the Commission on research and pilot projects, while calling on industries to invest in technologies that could reduce emissions from fertiliser production, refining, cement and steel manufacturing.
