Nigeria’s transition toward affordable and sustainable energy is accelerating, as the Federal Government, in partnership with private sector players, rolls out new initiatives to localise battery and solar panel production, expand clean fuel alternatives, and build youth capacity in emerging energy technologies.
At the launch of a mobile solar generator and youth bootcamp on Thursday, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, announced major steps being taken to establish local manufacturing of lithium batteries and other solar components. The initiatives aim to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports, lower energy costs, and create jobs.
“Nigeria is richly endowed with lithium, we have it in nearly every state,” Abdullahi said. “It’s unacceptable that we continue importing lithium batteries when we should be producing them here. The government is taking decisive steps to change that.”
According to Abdullahi, recent investment meetings in China and the UK led to the signing of agreements with some of the world’s largest solar technology producers to establish factories in Nigeria. These factories will focus on producing lithium batteries and solar panels locally.
“We already have a pilot solar production plant that generates 10,000 kWh annually, but that’s not enough. We are now working with investors to scale up production to meet the massive demand,” he added.
Abdullahi noted that President Bola Tinubu has committed to transitioning 30% of Nigeria’s energy mix to renewable sources, including solar, wind, and hydro, while gradually phasing out reliance on gas and fossil fuels.
Also speaking at the event, CEO of Citibim Nigeria Ltd, Abdul Gbadamosi, introduced a mobile solar generator designed to serve small businesses and homes while also offering a new income stream for users.
“We’ve built this solution not just to solve the power problem, but to empower people to earn income from clean energy,” Gbadamosi said.
He explained that just like POS agents earn from financial transactions, users of the company’s solar units can rent portable solar capsules to neighbors and generate between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000 monthly.
To support this model, Citibim is hosting a bootcamp to train 120 youths, including students, corps members, and early-career professionals in cutting-edge skills like AI, geo-intelligence, virtual reality, and sustainable energy.
“We’re building a workforce for the green revolution. With support from the government and global partners, we’re creating jobs and future-proofing Nigerian youth,” Gbadamosi added.
On the cleaner fuel front, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative revealed progress toward mass adoption of gas-powered vehicles. The program, launched in 2023 after the fuel subsidy removal, is designed to reduce petrol usage and offer Nigerians cheaper alternatives.
“So far, over 100,000 vehicles have been converted to run on CNG,” said Jide Awolowo, Investment Facilitation Coordinator for the initiative. “We’re targeting 1 million conversions by 2027.”
According to Awolowo, Nigeria has already grown from just 11 to over 60 CNG stations, with 175 more expected by year’s end. Over $1 billion in private investment has been drawn into the sector, signaling its long-term viability.
In preparation for scaling, the program is also focusing on workforce development. With over 300 existing CNG conversion centres, the government aims to expand to 10,000 centres nationwide by 2027 and is partnering with universities to train the needed technicians and engineers.
“We need to build the talent pipeline now,” Awolowo stressed. “If we don’t have trained workers, all our investments in conversion centres won’t matter.”
Why It Matters
For years, Nigeria has grappled with unreliable electricity, fuel dependency, and a ballooning import bill on solar and battery technologies. These new initiatives represent a multi-pronged effort to address those challenges by harnessing local resources, investing in clean technology, and empowering the youth.
Officials say the combined efforts could transform Nigeria’s energy sector within the next two years bringing power stability, job creation, and economic opportunities to millions.
About the Author
