Energy
PROF. Nasir Fagge, Director, Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Transitions, Bayero University Kano (BUK), has called for stakeholders’ engagement in the formulation of Nigeria’s solar panel import policy.
Fagge made the call at a high-level multi-stakeholder policy engagement on the proposed solar panel import policy, aimed at balancing energy access with the promotion of local manufacturing on Thursday in Kano.
He said the engagement was organised to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to express their views and contribute to the development of a policy document that would reflect diverse perspectives.
Fagge said: “The collaborating partners considered the implementation of adopting this policy and felt it was important to organise an engagement where every stakeholder would be given an opportunity to express their views on the policy.
“The aim is to aggregate the opinions of stakeholders and develop a policy document that accommodates their contributions, enabling everyone to understand the issues and make informed decisions”.
The director said the initiative aligned with the mandate of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Transitions, which focuses on promoting sustainable energy use, renewable energy development and local capacity building.
According to him, the centre accepted collaboration because discussions around renewable energy and building local expertise were central to its objectives.
Fagge explained that the proposed policy, according to the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, was designed to ensure compliance with Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which promotes local content in manufacturing, particularly in science, engineering and technology.
He added that the policy also seeks to encourage the utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources.
“Every country first examines the resources available within its borders and develops plans on how best to address its energy and environmental needs using those resources.
“Only when it becomes clear that such resources are unavailable should a country seek external support,” Fagge said.
He said although some stakeholders criticised the policy as being sudden and expressed concerns over its possible impact on different sectors, countries around the world prioritised the development of their domestic resources and capacities.
He said Nigeria needed to look inward, especially in areas where it had significant potential, including renewable energy and mineral resources.
Fagge said Nigeria possessed important mineral resources, including rare earth elements, which were critical in the production of modern technologies and smart devices.
He added that the country also had the potential to develop capacity in the production of key solar energy components, including lithium-ion batteries.
“Every nation considers what resources are available to it and plans how to utilise them effectively. Where resources are lacking, external support can be considered as a supplement,” he said.
The director said the engagement would enable professionals and stakeholders to openly discuss the policy, adding that universities remained platforms for academic freedom, constructive criticism and evidence-based recommendations.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the discussions would provide recommendations that would contribute to the final policy document.
The director stressed the need for Nigeria to address the absence of basic industries, which he said had affected the country’s development over the years.
He cited countries such as China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Brazil as examples of nations that had achieved significant progress through industrial development.
“It is important that we discuss what needs to be done collectively to put the country back on the path of sustainable development”, Fagge said.(NAN)
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Tags: Fagge Solar policy