Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, Vice-Chancellor, African University of Science and Technology says the institution has been selected to host a 5megawatt solar project on campus.

Onwualu said this at the 43rd National Solar Energy Forum and induction of new fellows organised by the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the project is being funded by the African Development Bank and implemented through the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said that energy remained the single biggest challenge facing businesses and academic institutions across the country.

Onwualu said to institutional clean-energy integration efforts, noting that the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) successfully transitioned its student hostels to solar power.

“Energy is the greatest challenge. Anybody that runs business in Nigeria will tell you that energy is the biggest challenge that we have.

“Today, all our hostels are fully on solar, and we are still moving to expand our capacity to improve campus services, security, and learning.

“This 5 megawatt solar project means our entire campus and surrounding communities will be fully powered by a hybrid solar system.

“We commend the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria for driving their focus on the use of solar energy and other renewable energy resources as an instrument for sustainable development,” he said.

Dr Mustafa Abdullahi, Director-General, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), said that solar energy would remain a vital component of Nigeria’s pathway to net-zero emissions by 2060.

Abdullahi represented by Dr Babagana Tela Director, Renewable Energy, ECN, said the commission was actively translating transition policies into tangible actions using integrated planning instruments such as Nigeria Energy and Emission Calculator 2060.

“As Nigeria progresses along its energy transition pathway towards net zero emissions by 2060, solar energy will remain an important part of our energy future.

“At the Energy Commission of Nigeria, we are translating this transition into concrete action through integrated energy planning, policy development, modeling, research, capacity building and implementation support.

“Our objective is not simply to install more solar systems, but to build a sustainable solar energy ecosystem that can attract investment, create jobs, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

“Government, professional bodies, academia, industry, investors, and development partners must continue to work together if we are to achieve meaningful and lasting progress,” he said.

In her keynote, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, said that reliable, affordable and accessible high-grade energy was the foundation for national development, industrial growth, and job creation.

Ekwunife represented by Prof. Joseph Dioha, Director, Renewable Energy Project, Admiralty University of Nigeria, said that energy shortages remained one of Nigeria’s most critical systemic challenges.

She said that while Nigeria possessed abundant natural energy resources and the necessary technology, policy implementation should take precedence over repetitive planning.

“Without energy, there is no development; wherever you have high-grade energy supply that is affordable, reliable, accessible and acceptable, life will not be very hard there.

“Our energy demand is growing faster than generation, and today, only about 4,000 megawatts of green energy generation is available for more than 200 million people.

“Solar energy is appropriate, handy and positions Nigeria at a distinct advantage to decentralised power generation and economic security,” she said.

She highlighted that decentralising power through mini-grids in rural communities can significantly curb urban migration, lower insecurity, and empower small scale industries.

Dr Sunny Akpoyibo, President, Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN), highlighted the critical intersection between academic research, investor confidence, and renewable energy deployment.

Akpoyibo said that hosting the forum at a university underscored the necessity of science, innovation, and localised research in utilising Nigeria’s vast natural resource base.

He said that the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria would organise a nationwide free post-conference training programmes to equip youths with technical skills in solar installation, maintenance and smart energy systems.

He urged stakeholders to leverage ongoing multi-million dollar renewable energy interventions to build local capacity and drive sustainable economic development.

“The challenge before us is not the availability of resources, but how rapidly and effectively we can deploy those resources to transform lives and grow our economy.

“We must develop technical capacity and skills to meet the fast-growing demands of the renewable energy sector.

“The Solar Energy Society of Nigeria is committed to organising universal, free training programmes to empower youths and prepare them for opportunities in the green economy,” he said.