The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has called on investors to invest in the solar energy sector, Nature News gathered.
The minister made this statement at the 38th National Solar Energy Forum (NASEF), organised by Solar Energy Society of Nigeria, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS) and Energy Commission of Nigeria in Sokoto on Monday, describing the solar energy sector as lucrative and alternative source of electricity.
The Minister, who was represented by Director-General of ECN, Prof. Elijah Bala, commended organisers on the theme: “Solar Energy post COVID-19 Economy” describing it at as apt and timely.
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He said COVID-19 pandemic had ravaged economies with no exception to Nigeria, which he said was 90 per cent dependent on crude oil export coupled with low demand.
“It is a common knowledge that our economy has again gone into recession due to low demand in oil and consequent low price,” Onu said.
He explained that for Nigeria to bounce back and make meaningful progress, focus must be shifted to science and technology-based investment.
Onu also said that the Economic Sustainability Plan 2020 has been composed to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on Nigerian economy and had fully recognised the place of solar energy.
“The solar energy component of the plan was intended to support 250,000 jobs and impact up to 25 million beneficiaries through installation of five million Solar Home Systems and mini-grids.
“Nigeria is endowed with abundant solar energy resources with the potential average daily solar intensity of about 500W/m2 at six hours per day.
“The potential is there to support about 460GW of generation capacity and about 30 times the current annual grid electricity generation in the country,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Usman DanFodio University Sokoto, Prof. Lawal Bilbis, said Sokoto would remain hub of solar energy due to its comparative advantage of sunlight.
He advised governments to explore solar energy as a source of alternative power supply because of its cost effectiveness.
Notable Nigerians bagged fellowship awards at the event.
They included Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Gov. Bello Mutawalle of Zamfara and Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi.
Other recipients included Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonanya Onu and his counterpart in the Ministry of Power, Saleh Mamman. The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, and renowned Automobile Designer, Mr Jelani Aliyu, were also among the fellowship recipients.
