NASENI Advocates for Local Clean Energy Manufacturing

Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), called for Nigeria to shift from merely deploying renewable energy technologies to manufacturing them locally. Speaking at an event led by Mustapha Abdullahi of the Energy Leadership Fellowship in Abuja, Halilu warned that continued dependence on imports would hinder Nigeria's industrial development.

He highlighted that 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to clean energy, requiring an estimated $15 billion annually to bridge the energy access gap by 2035. In 2025 alone, Nigeria is projected to spend $400 billion on importing solar technology.

Halilu stressed the importance of creating a sustainable energy ecosystem that integrates technology, manufacturing, research, policy, and human capital. He outlined NASENI's initiatives, including a 40-hectare solar industrial park in Nasarawa State, aimed at promoting local manufacturing of renewable energy components and improving energy access across the country.