Nigerian govt insists on ending solar panel imports

The Federal Government has claimed the importation of photovoltaic solar panels into Nigeria has cost N200bn so far.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu.

Aliyu was speaking at a roundtable held in Victoria Island between the REA and the Lagos State Government.

The REA and Lagos State Government were in Lagos to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the electrification of rural communities in Lagos.

According to Aliyu, efforts are ongoing to change the narrative and domesticate the manufacturing of renewable equipment in the country.

He said he believed that Lagos, being the centre of excellence, is going to lead that domestication drive.

“Over N200bn has been spent on the importation of PV panels into the country.

“While there is a need for that importation, one of the key things our agency is striving for is domesticating the manufacturing of this renewable equipment. Lagos, being the centre of excellence, is going to lead a total war in that domestication,” he said.