By Abbas Nazil
The Nigerian Society of Engineers has called on the Ogun State Government to prioritise renewable energy adoption as a strategic response to rising carbon emissions, power instability, and economic pressures facing businesses and households across the state.
The advice was given by the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Abeokuta branch, Engr. Olumayowa Idowu, during the commissioning of the society’s secretariat equipped with a 6000-watt solar-powered inverter system and an 18-seater Ford Transit bus.
Idowu stressed that renewable energy is no longer a matter of choice for Nigeria, but an urgent necessity as the country seeks sustainable solutions to its long-standing electricity challenges.
According to him, Ogun State is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in solar energy deployment due to its concentration of industrial clusters, commercial hubs, and rapidly expanding residential estates.
He explained that widespread adoption of solar power across major government offices and public institutions would significantly reduce dependence on diesel generators, especially in areas prone to frequent power outages.
Idowu noted that such a transition would not only lower carbon emissions and environmental pollution, but also improve energy reliability for businesses, thereby supporting productivity and economic expansion.
He added that renewable energy solutions offer long-term financial benefits by cutting operating costs for households and companies through reduced fuel consumption and lower electricity tariffs.
The NSE chairman further stated that clean energy investments would enhance Ogun State’s attractiveness to investors seeking stable and sustainable power sources for industrial operations.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Society of Engineers to supporting government-led infrastructure and development initiatives aimed at innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation.
Idowu also emphasised the role of professional bodies in nurturing a new generation of skilled, competent, and forward-thinking engineers capable of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
He urged engineers within the society to continue embracing collaboration, innovation, and environmentally responsible practices that can positively transform the profession and the wider society.
The commissioning of the solar-powered system at the NSE secretariat was presented as a practical demonstration of how renewable energy solutions can be effectively deployed at institutional level.
Observers at the event described the project as a model that could be replicated by government agencies and private organisations across the state.
The call by the NSE comes amid growing national and global concern over climate change, rising fuel costs, and the need for cleaner energy alternatives to drive sustainable development.
