A leading energy researcher at Covenant University has proposed a comprehensive shift toward decentralized power generation as a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s chronic overdependence on the national electricity grid.
Dr. Ifeanyi Ogunlana, a senior lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, presented his findings during the university’s Renewable Energy Symposium held in Ota, Ogun State. He emphasized the urgent need to embrace localized power systems such as solar mini-grids, embedded generation, and community-based energy cooperatives to ensure energy security and resilience.
“Our national grid is overstretched and frequently unreliable,” Dr. Ogunlana noted. “The future lies in empowering local communities and industries to generate and manage their own energy, thereby reducing the strain on centralized infrastructure.”
According to the researcher, Nigeria’s vast renewable energy potential remains underutilized, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where grid access is limited or nonexistent. He advocated for policy reforms, including tax incentives and reduced tariffs on renewable energy components, to encourage private sector investment in off-grid solutions.
Dr. Ogunlana also called on universities and research institutions to play a leading role in developing context-specific technologies suited to Nigeria’s energy realities. “Innovation must be locally driven,” he said. “We cannot afford to rely solely on imported models that may not align with our unique challenges.”
Participants at the symposium including government representatives, industry stakeholders, and international partners commended the proposal and called for its integration into national energy planning.
The presentation comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with nationwide power shortages and an aging transmission infrastructure. Experts believe a multi-pronged approach, including decentralization, could be key to achieving energy stability and economic growth.
source: independent.ng
