On this episode of ‘WATTS with the Grid? we hear from women in the private sector who have invested or attempted to invest in the global energy space. They address the sector’s opportunities and challenges through an investor lens and also explore Nigeria’s current Power sector landscape from that perspective.
On this episode of WATTS with the Grid, we are joined by Dolapo Kukoyi (Managing Partner, Detail Solicitors) and Habiba Ali (Managing Director/CEO, Sosai Renewable Energies Company). Fresh from COP 29 in Azerbaijan, they share their perspectives on key discussions that featured at the event, such as climate finance, energy access, and the importance of positioning Nigeria to leverage global opportunities.
In this special episode, we feature a group of young women in the Power sector. Chartered Accountant and Portfolio Manager at UKNIAF, Adeola Adebisi; Electrical Engineer and Project Manager at UKNIAF, Aisha Mala Sheriff; Energy Policy Research Analyst at Nextier, Doose Iortyom reflect on their experiences and share insights on critical issues shaping the sector, including valuable advice they would offer to their younger selves.
As UKNIAF we learned several lessons helping to develop the National Integrated Resource Plan which will guide the future of Nigeria’s power sector.
The 2022 Constitutional Amendment expands the power of Nigeria’s 36 States to generate, transmit and distribute on-grid electricity. Before this amendment, State governments’ powers were mostly limited to off-grid electricity supply.
In this episode female executives in Nigeria’s Power sector examine Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023 and its implications for the distribution sub-sector. With the repeal of the 2005 reform act, the new legislation grants states, private investors, and individuals the power to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. This conversation explores what this means for the 11 distribution companies (DisCos) currently serving Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
How can Nigeria bridge the climate finance gap to meet its ambitious targets? Our guests, Chintal Barot (Founder, Co-Sustain Consulting) and Titilayo Oshodi (Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State), share insights on accessing funding, the role of gender in climate finance and why the economic argument is crucial for driving climate action.
Despite Nigeria investing an estimated USD 1.9 billion annually in climate-related activities, this is just 11% of the USD 17.7 billion needed to meet its emissions reduction goals by 2030. In this episode, we ask the critical questions: What’s driving these disparities? How can they be addressed? And what are the emerging opportunities, especially in light of the new Electricity Act 2023, which opens doors for renewable energy development across all 36 states?
Climate finance isn’t just about funding green initiatives—it’s about shaping development priorities that align with sustainable growth.
UKNIAF worked on a project that trialled integrating a solar microgrid with Nigeria’s national grid. The aim was to develop a replicable model for future microgrid interconnections.
Power sector transitions and the flexible advisory approach.
Climate Finance explained in 3 simple sentences…
From concessional loans and green bonds to innovative tools like debt swaps and climate-linked insurance, these financial instruments are key to driving impactful climate action.
Eyo Ekpo, UKNIAF’s Power Sector Team lead speaks with Arise News on the significance of the National Integrated Electricity Policy on the day of its handover on August 28, 2024.
Understanding Climate Finance with UKNIAF…
Understanding Climate Finance with UKNIAF…
Understanding Climate Finance with UKNIAF…
This brief is a primer on climate finance – it aims to help readers navigate the climate finance landscape and quickly focus on the aspects that are most relevant to Nigeria.
Here’s 7 ways in which Climate Finance can be accessed.
Infrastructure needs can be aligned with climate change to enhance energy security, improve agriculture and promote urbanisation.
Here in a nutshell is what you need to know about Climate Finance.
Furera Isma Jumare, Director General, Jigawa State Investment Promotion Agency, shares key learnings from the ‘Roundtable for State Access to Climate Finance’.
Engr. Frank Edozie, Team Lead, UKNIAF, emphasizes focusing on development projects that benefit the climate. Frank advises- “Don’t do climate. Do development projects that have an impact on the climate.”
It’s a big shift in perspective. By prioritizing sustainable development, we can create projects that not only drive progress but also positively impact the environment.
Adaze Aguele Kalu, Hon. Commissioner, Finance, Budgeting and Planning, Edo State, shares key takeaways from the ‘Roundtable for State Access to Climate Finance’.
Dapo Oduwole, DG/CEO, Office of Public Private Partnerships, Ogun State shares his key takeaways from the Roundtable.
Patience Ranami Abah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Bayelsa state represented her state at the Roundtable. Here, she shares her key takeaways from the event.
What makes a project successful?
Climate finance is any financing for credible climate action, including ‘climate aligned finance’.
What are the hurdles to Climate Finance access in Nigeria?
The consultative forum was organized by The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and supported by UKNIAF. It is part of UKNIAF’s support to the Women on the Grid Hub (WotGH).
The forum aimed to provide a platform for electricity customers to share their experiences with electricity access and discuss related problems. The goal was to resolve customer problems either on the spot or at the very least to begin the resolution processes…
The consultative forum was organized by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and supported by UKNIAF. It is part of UKNIAF’s support to the Women on the Grid Hub (WotGH).
As Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture in its energy sector reform, the National Policy Dialogue on Electricity is more than just a series of meetings; it represents a forward-thinking approach to resolving longstanding challenges.
By Stella Odiase and Khadijat Baba-Muhammad
The journey towards a decentralised electricity market in Nigeria is a vivid example of how legal frameworks can lead to substantial institutional and societal changes when coupled with effective policymaker coalitions.
This “Toolkit for Establishing State Electricity Markets.” offers valuable insights and step-by-step strategies tailored to help stakeholders navigate the complexities of the Electricity Act 2023.
In this third and final instalment of a three-part series Stella Odiase, UKNIAF’s Cross Cutting Adviser and a Doctoral candidate at the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex University, reflects on a recent electricity customer interaction, where customer requests were quite straightforward.
In this second instalment of a three-part series Dr. Dalia Sakr, a UNFCCC accredited climate change expert, compares electricity and calorie consumption, pointing out that sometimes responsible behaviour takes discipline.
In this first of a three-part series Jumoke Delano, a multi-jurisdictional lawyer, and former Head of Regulatory Relations at the Abuja Electric Distribution Company, explores the interconnected roles of different players within the power value chain, and their need for cooperation and coordination.
Three Perspectives on Nigeria’s Electricity Tariff Review:
the Utilities, the Climate Change Expert, and the Customer
UKNIAF works to inspire women managers within the Nigerian power sector through the ‘Women on the Grid Hub. Eight trail-blazing women are helping us start this journey.
While electricity in Nigeria is generated through thermal and hydropower, fossil fuels are the main source of electricity generation. Nigeria plans to increase international exports and domestic consumption and at the same time meet emissions and sustainable development goals. Can these two objectives be achieved at the same time? What could be the risks?
Olajumoke Delano, Chi Chi Emenike and Itohan Ehiede discuss these questions with Stella Odiase.
What factors contribute to the myriad of challenges facing the Nigerian power grid?
We developed a DST to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria efficiently identify and prioritise key infrastructure projects.
Regional electricity markets promote inter-state electricity trade, encouraging power security and economic growth.
“WATTS with the Grid?” is a conversation with women who work in the power sector.
What do these women think about the current national conversation on tariff increases? How is the Service Based Tariff faring in terms of improvement in service and revenues? How does the price of electricity impact national commitments to a low-carbon transition?
Stella Odiase leads the conversation with Dalia Sakr, Wola Joseph-Condotti, Tosin Adefeko and Olajumoke Delano.
In 2021, Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan was created with COP26 support, prompting Nigeria’s net-zero commitment by 2060.
How does the changing climate affect electricity infrastructure?
For UKNIAF and its stakeholders, the way forward involves not just acknowledging Nigeria’s commitments at COP28 and the challenges in its path to achieving these, but actively engaging in appropriate solutions that deliver both national priorities and climate outcomes.
