UGO AMADI
As part of effort to boost energy access in the state, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has restated his administration’s bold commitment to reshaping the state’s energy future through the strategic embrace of renewable electricity—one he believes is key to unlocking widespread economic transformation.
Speaking on Monday during a Roundtable Meeting on Rural Electrification and Sustainable Energy Development, the governor outlined a new energy roadmap anchored on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.
The meeting, held in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), brought stakeholders together to address one of Nigeria’s most persistent development hurdles electricity supply.
“Power is the engine of economic activity,” Sanwo-Olu declared. “In Lagos, we are determined to decentralise and democratise energy, taking power to the people where it’s needed most, our homes, markets, communities, and industries.”
The governor lamented the paradox of excess energy generation in private hands with minimal distribution across communities, calling it an inefficient use of national capacity.
“There are around 4.5 million generators in Lagos. Many use 30kVA or 50kVA and avoid the public power supply,” he said.
The new initiative with REA, he noted, seeks to bridge that gap by delivering structured, sustainable, and community-driven electrification systems.
The state will work closely with the Renewable Energy Asset Management Company to ensure not just power delivery but longevity and scalability.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of grassroots engagement, tasking the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to collaborate with Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Committees (CDCs) in designing tailored energy solutions.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, reinforced the administration’s clean-energy vision, revealing that the partnership with REA would mark a turning point in reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
“This is about creating green jobs, building an inclusive energy economy, and powering the dreams of Lagosians,” he said.
REA CEO Abubakar Ndiye, on his part, pledged the agency’s readiness to deliver a lasting impact. He revealed ongoing efforts to localise the production of renewable energy equipment, positioning Lagos as a key manufacturing and innovation hub.
