The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has stated that the Nigeria Energy Acceleration Program will fast-track the deployment of Energy solutions that are reliable, affordable, and climate-friendly.
Nnaji stated this at the official inauguration of the National Energy Masterplan Implementation Committee (NEMIC) of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), emphasizing that the program is not just about policy, but about delivering real impact to communities, industries and households across Nigeria.
The Committee which is saddled with the responsibility of driving a holistic implementation of the masterplan that will see to the realization of the National Energy Acceleration Program and the National Energy Fund amongst others.
A statement from ECN, disclosed that the NEMIC which was constituted on October 17, 2024 by the Commission, reaffirmed their readiness to lead the implementation of the National Energy Masterplan.
The National Energy Fund (NE-FUND) to be developed in line with the Masterplan, was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2021 in the Masterplan. The Fund is designed to support large-scale renewable energy projects and new energy infrastructure across the country. It will serve as a financial platform to attract both public and private investment into Nigeria’s Energy sector.
The fifty-billion-dollar goal gives NEMIC the mandate to source and mobilize funding for the purpose of investing in and developing Nigeria’s core renewable and new energy infrastructure. This includes solar, wind, hydro, and emerging technologies that will help expand access to clean energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and create new jobs in the Energy economy.
The Minister expressed optimism that the committee would deliver on the assignment.
“The decisions and actions taken by this Committee will define Nigeria’s energy trajectory for decades to come.
“This is a responsibility of the highest order, and I am confident NEMiC has the capacity, the vision, and the commitment to rise to the occasion,” he said.
At the inauguration, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, submitted to the Minister a roadmap – a key document outlining the strategic steps for achieving the program’s goals.
The Director General commended the minister’s visionary leadership in driving the process of constituting this Committee.
According to him, the Minister’s support for evidence-based planning, technological innovation, and stakeholder engagement has given renewed momentum to the Energy Commission’s mandate and strengthened the Commission’s resolve to deliver tangible results for Nigerians.
Abdullahi acknowledged the invaluable contributions of development partners, technical experts, and private sector players who have worked with the Commission during the preparation of the Masterplan.
He asserted that the next phase requires even closer collaboration, regular monitoring, and adaptive implementation to ensure that the strategies outlined translate into measurable outcomes.
Development partners and private sector stakeholders were also present to show their commitment to working with the Committee including the management of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited; Polaris Bank; Stanbic IBTC Limited; First Trustee Limited; First Cap Limited, CardinalStone Trustees Limited, and CardinalStone Asset Management Limited; representatives of UNIDO and UNDP; China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) among others.