Stakeholders in the power sector have called for the adoption of mini-grids to tackle energy challenges in the country.
This formed the thrust of discussions on Wednesday in Lagos at the 16th Distinguished Electrical and Electronic Engineering Award Laureate organised by the Nigeria Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
The event was themed, “Optimised Design and Interconnectivity Strategy for Distributed Generation in Multi-Community Mini-Grids with Adaptive Grid Integration Pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the theme was particularly timely and important.
Stakeholders in the power sector have called for the adoption of mini-grids to tackle energy challenges in the country.
This formed the thrust of discussions on Wednesday in Lagos at the 16th Distinguished Electrical and Electronic Engineering Award Laureate organised by the Nigeria Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
The event was themed, “Optimised Design and Interconnectivity Strategy for Distributed Generation in Multi-Community Mini-Grids with Adaptive Grid Integration Pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the theme was particularly timely and important.
Tegbe, who was represented by the Director, Renewable and Rural Power Access Department at the Federal Ministry of Power, Sunday Owolabi, said the future of energy generation no longer relies on large central power plants because of their long implementation periods, “dispatch issues, associated technical losses, and complex operating systems, but by adopting distributed generation through mini-grid adoption.
“This is a transformative solution for resolving grid stability and reaching the last-mile energy gap. By integrating decentralized renewable energy resources directly with existing utility distribution networks, it allows communities to generate, share, and balance power seamlessly along the main grid,” Tegbe said.
Tegbe stressed that the Ministry of Power is expanding transmission capacity through the construction of new 330kV and 132kV transmission lines and substations, strengthening the national grid to improve reliability, stability and resilience, “accelerate grid modernisation through digital technologies, smart grid solutions, promoting renewable energy integration to diversify Nigeria’s energy needs in line with our energy transition plan, encouraging local manufacturing technology transfer within the power sector, and creating an environment that attracts sustainable investment across the electricity industry.”
He added that the initiative had already recorded positive outcomes, while noting that much work still lies ahead.
According to him, the digitalisation of the power system through distributed generation has increasingly shaped technological advancement in innovation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, energy storage, smart grids, advanced transmission systems, cybersecurity and the development of resilient infrastructure that supports rapidly growing energy demand.
“It does create a new front-end profession for the electrical and electronic engineering field. I therefore urge the institute to continue developing indigenous solutions that address our unique energy challenges,” he said.
The minister reiterated the need to deepen research, encourage collaboration among academia, professional bodies and industry, embrace emerging technology, and prioritise local content in engineering design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance.
Tegbe maintained that the government alone could not deliver the power sector transformation Nigerians desire, adding that it requires strong partnerships among government, institutions, professional bodies, development partners, private investors, academia and the country’s highly talented engineers.
“I am particularly encouraged by the role NIEEE continues to play in advancing professional excellence, technical standards, capacity development, and policy advocacy. The Ministry of Power will continue to engage professional institutions such as yours in shaping policies and implementing sustainable engineering solutions. To our young electrical and electronic engineers, I encourage you to embrace continued learning, innovation, ethical practice, and professionalism. The future of Nigeria’s electricity industry rests significantly in your hands,” Tegbe added.
He said the creativity and technical competence of young electrical and electronic engineers would determine how quickly Nigeria achieves universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.
He reaffirmed the government’s collective commitment to building a stronger, more resilient and globally competitive power sector that supports economic prosperity and improves the quality of life of every Nigerian.
He stressed that engineering remains the backbone of every industrialised nation, reiterating that the quality of the nation’s infrastructure, manufacturing capacity and technological advancement is directly linked to the strength of engineering professionals.
“As a government, we recognize reliable power supply as the foundation of economic growth, industrial development, job creation, improved healthcare, quality education, food security, and digital transformation,” he added.
He stated that the Federal Government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s electricity value chain through strategic investment, policy reform, private sector participation, and infrastructure expansion. Tegbe commended the leadership of NIEEE for sustaining the platform.
Earlier, the Guest Lecturer, Isaac Agoro, called for a smart distribution grid to enhance power supply. “Mini-grids are currently an indispensable component of Sub-Saharan Africa’s electrification strategy, offering a technically and economically viable route to closing a persistent access gap that central grid extension alone cannot close within the timeframe set by regional and global development targets,” he said.
The President of NIEEE, Felix Adegboye, said, “The landscape of the Nigerian power sector is undergoing a historic shift. With the operationalisation of the Electricity Act, the monopoly of power has cracked, opening the doors for localised energy solutions. Yet, as we push for decentralization, we face a complex engineering puzzle.”
SOURCE: PUNCH NEWS PAPER
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