The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to rural development through improved electricity access, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which emphasizes electricity as a fundamental right for all citizens. This commitment was highlighted during a recent meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and Egypt’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, in Abuja. The discussions centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy expansion, with a particular focus on renewable energy and rural electrification.
Minister Adelabu emphasized Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to connect remote rural areas to power through renewable energy initiatives. He acknowledged the economic challenges of extending the national grid to these regions but stressed that the government is determined to bridge the gap. “Many rural areas cannot be connected to the grid due to economic constraints, but we cannot neglect them. Through our renewable energy program, we are addressing this issue,” Adelabu stated. He revealed that Nigeria has secured significant investments, including $750 million from the World Bank’s DARES project and an additional $190 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to support renewable energy projects.
Adelabu also highlighted Nigeria’s vast renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential, and reiterated the government’s commitment to harnessing these resources for sustainable energy access. He praised Egypt’s achievements in the energy sector, describing the country as a role model in energy infrastructure development. “Egypt has made remarkable strides in energy transformation, and we are eager to collaborate and learn from your expertise. Our goal is to ensure reliable, stable, and affordable energy access for all Nigerians,” he added.
The Minister outlined Nigeria’s progress in the power sector since he assumed office 17 months ago, noting that access to electricity has been expanded to bridge noticeable gaps. However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, including grid reliability, aging infrastructure, and metering gaps. Adelabu assured that the government is addressing these issues through initiatives like the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which aims to improve electricity distribution and accountability.
Ambassador Fouad expressed Egypt’s enthusiasm for collaborating with Nigeria, particularly in closing the metering gap and sharing best practices in energy access. He emphasized the shared goals and mutual benefits of strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. “Nigeria and Egypt have much in common, and there is immense potential for collaboration in the energy sector. We are committed to working together to achieve sustainable energy solutions for both countries,” Fouad said.
The Egyptian envoy commended Nigeria’s efforts to expand power access, particularly through renewable energy projects. He revealed that Egypt is working towards increasing its renewable energy share from the current 14% to 42% by 2035. Fouad noted that both countries rely heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation but are blessed with abundant solar and wind resources, which can be harnessed for renewable energy. “We need the cooperation of Nigeria in this area. We are looking forward to hosting you for an important exchange of ideas,” he added.
Fouad also proposed reactivating a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Egypt on power projects, suggesting virtual meetings as a starting point for collaboration. “We should activate the MoU and begin by holding virtual meetings to identify areas where we can learn from each other. Power is an ambitious plan, especially when it comes to renewable energy,” he said.
