Reps C’ttee to hold first Nat’l Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy

JONAS EZIEKE, Abuja

 

The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has concluded preparations for the successful hosting of the first national legislative conference on Renewable Energy in Nigeria in May 2025

 

Chairman of the House Committee, Hon.Victor Afam Ogene announced this while giving an update on the conference at a press briefing on Wednesday at the National Assembly in Abuja

 

The briefing he said centered on the developments concerning the Ist National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy, and Expo on Renewable Energy, organized by the House Committee in conjunction with the Office of the Honourable Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), under the Parliamentary Development Program of both institutions.

 

The conference he stated aims at bringing together key stakeholders and industry players to discuss renewable energy legislations, energy transition, renewable energy financing, investment opportunities and related matters, towards developing a national legislative framework on renewable energy.

 

He noted that the recent legislative reforms around the energy sector in Nigeria highlight this growing momentum, thus necessitating the convocation of the 1st Edition of the Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy in Nigeria.

 

The Fifth Alteration Bill 2022(No.33), now Law, empowers states to legislate on electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within areas covered by the national grid – an authority previously limited to off-grid areas.

 

Additionally, the Electricity Act 2023, signed in February 2024, permits states to issue licenses for all electricity activities (generation, transmission and distribution), encompassing lawmaking, regulation, and policy development across the entire power sector value chain.

 

The new National Integrated Electricity Policy, 2025 provides an even clearer framework, that states need to adopt as they set in place their new electricity markets. It is expected that in doing so, renewables will form a large part of the emerging investment opportunities, especially since distributed off-grid solutions powered by solar are Nigeria’s least-cost solutions for unserved and underserved communities.

 

Specifically, the parley aims at facilitating knowledge, exchange as well as promoting dialogue among legislators, experts, and stakeholders on critical legislative priorities, regulatory frameworks, and global best practices to accelerate renewable energy adoption in Nigeria.

 

Other objectives include strengthening legislative collaboration and establishment of a coordinated platform for federal and state lawmakers to harmonize policies, address regulatory bottlenecks, and align efforts in advancing Nigeria’s renewable energy transition.

 

It further aims to develop an action-oriented roadmap, by producing a clear, time-bound legislative action plan with prioritized reforms, investment incentives, and accountability mechanisms to drive renewable energy growth and grid modernization.

 

The International Parliamentary Union (IPU) will be participating in this maiden conference that is billed to take place in May in Lagos.

 

The organizers have also confirmed participation from three African parliaments: South Africa, Ghana, and Gambia, showcasing the House Committee on Renewable Energy’s impact.

 

As a matter of fact, the three-man delegation from Ghana will be lead by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin.

 

Also attending is a Netherlands-based Knowledge platform, that will host a Pan-African Legislative Dialogue session, on Renewable Energy, to be chaired by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abass Tajudeen.

 

The session will focus on how to establish a unified Legislative framework on Renewable Energy development, investment and financing.

 

The outcome of this all-important event is expected to provide Policy & Legislative Reform Recommendations for promoting renewable energy use in Nigeria.

 

It will also provide proposed legislative instruments for increasing private and public sector investment in renewables

 

Moreover, it is expected to strengthen collaboration and coordination between federal and state governments at the legislative level in the energy sector

 

Other benefits are increased public understanding and awareness of the importance of the legislature in renewable energy agenda in Nigeria.

 

In addition, it will provide a robust implementation roadmap for action and a system for tracking progress and a renewable energy technology showcase demonstrating the advances in renewables and opportunities for business partnerships.