By Constance Athekame
The Solar Power Nigeria Coalition has urged political leaders to prioritise affordable, reliable electricity through renewable energy ahead of the 2027 general election.
Mr Joseph Ibrahim, Nigeria Campaign Director, Secure Energy Project and Coordinator of Solar Power Nigeria made the call in Abuja on Saturday during the
clean energy march under the theme “Power the People, Vote for Clean Energy.
Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to accelerate solar mini-grid deployment to tackle energy poverty and extend electricity access to underserved communities.
”Today, we marched with young people, community groups and clean-energy champions, carrying one message: Power the People. Vote for Clean Energy.
He said that 66 years aftor independence, Nigeria does not have reliable electricity adding, that part of the reason is election after election, people have not asked those seeking office how they plan to give them power.
”This time must be different, every candidate seeking elective positions must tell us clearly how they will bring electricity to the people they want to lead,”he said.
According to him, life has become difficult fuel prices are higher than ever, and many families can no longer afford to run a generator.
” Yet our national grid still produces only about 5,000 megawatts for more than 200 million people, and over 86 Nigerians have no electricity at all.
”That means children cannot study in the night, we cannot keep medicine cold and traders must close at sunset, It does not have to be this way..
Ibrahim said that solar mini-grids are small power stations that sit right inside a village or market adding that people can get electricity in few months instead of waiting many years for the national grid to reach them.
”That makes them the quickest way to power every Nigerian home, school and community,” he said.
Ibrahim, however commended Mr Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology for standing with ordinary Nigerians by stepping back from an immediate ban on solar panels import.
According to him, the action has kept solar within the reach of families, shops, ,schools and clinics that rely on solar everyday.
Most participants who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) called for wider access to solar power, support for local manufacturing and greater opportunities for local technicians.