In a fresh push to tackle Nigeria’s electricity deficit and accelerate rural development, the Federal Government on Monday partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Chinese government to launch a Small Hydropower Centre of Excellence in Abuja.
The initiative, funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, is designed to expand renewable energy capacity, deepen rural electrification, and support agro-industrial growth across underserved communities.
The project, the first of its kind in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, will be domiciled at the University of Abuja and is expected to serve as a regional hub for technical training, policy development, and knowledge transfer in small hydropower deployment.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Regional Director of UNIDO, Philbert Johnson, described energy as a critical driver of economic growth, noting that Nigeria’s vast renewable energy potential remains largely underutilised.
“It is a special privilege and great pleasure for me to be with you today at this crucial launch of the China International Development Cooperation Agency-funded project on ‘Establishment of a Small Hydro Power Centre of Excellence in Nigeria’. Energy is indeed a critical input for sustainable economic growth and industrial development,” he said.
Johnson added, “Energy is indeed a critical input for sustainable economic growth and industrial development. Fortunately, Nigeria is endowed with a tremendous amount of renewable energy resources such as hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind. Among these renewable energy sources, Small Hydropower holds great potential towards increasing access to affordable electricity and addressing climate change. Despite Nigeria’s substantial SHP potential, less than five per cent has been developed. This underdevelopment is mainly due to technical, financial, and policy barriers.”
He explained that the new centre was established to address these challenges and unlock the country’s untapped hydropower resources.
“The centre will serve as a hub for knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance, benefiting not only Nigeria but the broader West African region,” he said.
According to him, the project will also promote hybrid energy solutions by integrating small hydropower with solar and wind technologies.
“It will support the integration of renewable energy systems, combining small hydropower with solar and wind to enhance energy resilience and sustainability,” Johnson stated.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would drive socio-economic transformation across rural communities.
“Through this initiative, Nigeria can harness its hydropower potential, improve rural electrification, and drive socio-economic growth, setting a model for similar projects across Africa,” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, described the project as a major step towards achieving inclusive energy access and economic resilience.
“Today’s event represents not just the commencement of a project, but a bold step forward in our collective journey towards sustainable energy access, rural transformation, and economic resilience,” the minister said.
He emphasised the strategic importance of small hydropower in unlocking rural productivity and strengthening agricultural value chains.
“Small hydropower presents a unique opportunity to harness water resources in an environmentally sustainable manner while addressing the energy needs of rural communities and agro-industries,” he stated.
The minister added, “Energy is a critical enabler of agricultural value chains, from irrigation and processing to storage and distribution. By integrating small hydropower solutions into agro-industrial systems, we are enhancing food security, creating jobs, and stimulating rural economies.”
On governance, he stressed the importance of accountability in project execution. Related News
“The role of the Project Steering Committee is pivotal. I urge members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose,” he said.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, assured stakeholders of the institution’s commitment to the success of the project.
“We are aware that this project will provide knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance that will benefit Nigeria and the broader West African sub-region,” he said.
Fawehinmi added that the university would provide full institutional backing to ensure effective implementation.
“This project will help bridge the energy gap needed for industrialisation, and we will ensure synergy with other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind,” he stated.
On his part, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said Nigeria’s abundant water resources present a strong foundation for small hydropower development, despite persistent power supply challenges.
“Nigeria possesses abundant hydropower resources, yet much of this remains untapped. The country still faces significant challenges in providing reliable and sustainable power supply,” he said.
He described small hydropower as a practical solution for Nigeria’s energy needs, particularly in rural areas.
“Small hydropower is a mature and efficient renewable energy solution, particularly suited for rural and remote areas,” Dunhai stated.
He noted that the project forms part of a broader China-Africa-UN cooperation framework aimed at promoting sustainable development.
“Once completed, the centre will serve as a core platform for knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance. It will also promote the integration of hydropower with solar and wind energy to bolster energy resilience,” he added.
Highlighting China’s experience, the envoy said small hydropower has played a critical role in expanding electricity access in his country.
“Small hydropower in China covers roughly one-third of the country’s counties and benefits about 300 million people,” he said.
Dunhai expressed confidence that the initiative would deliver similar benefits for Nigeria, particularly in supporting off-grid power solutions and industrialisation.
The project comes at a critical time when Nigeria continues to grapple with inadequate electricity supply, especially in rural communities where access remains significantly low.
Despite the country’s vast hydropower resources, development has been slow due to funding gaps, weak technical capacity, and policy constraints.
The new centre is expected to address these bottlenecks by building local expertise and providing a coordinated framework for small hydropower deployment.
The initiative also aligns with the Federal Government’s broader energy transition agenda and its push to diversify the energy mix away from fossil fuels, while expanding access to clean and reliable power for millions of Nigerians.
SOURCE: PUNCH NEWS PAPER
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