NASENI Unveils Plans for Sustainable Rural Electrification at COP28
By Patience Ikpeme
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, is set to unveil the agency’s plans and strategies for sustainable rural electrification in Nigeria using homegrown technologies at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
Scheduled for December 3, 2023, Mr. Halilu will deliver opening remarks and participate in a panel session titled “Advancing Sustainable Rural Electrification through Homegrown Technologies” at the conference, which is being held at the Expo City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
COP28, also known as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), is a crucial global event where governments will discuss and agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The conference will run from November 30 to December 12, 2023, and is expected to attract a diverse audience, including presidents and heads of state, government officials, business leaders, investors, development partners, civil society organizations, academics, and the media.
During the panel session, moderated by Al Amin Idris, CEO of Interface Africa, Mr. Halilu will share insights into NASENI’s ongoing efforts to promote and adopt homegrown technologies for rural electrification in Nigeria. He will also highlight other initiatives undertaken by the agency to advance sustainable rural electrification in the country.
Since assuming office in September 2023, Mr. Halilu has made sustainable rural electrification via renewable energies a top priority. He has established partnerships with government agencies and companies such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) to ensure rural communities have access to affordable renewable energy solutions and housing.
In September, NASENI and REA agreed to collaborate on deploying NASENI solar resources and other renewable energy technologies to increase electricity supply to Nigeria’s rural areas. Similarly, in November, NASENI signed an MoU with Family Homes Funds Limited to promote modern and sustainable building designs for affordable housing across Nigeria. During the MoU signing event, Mr. Halilu emphasized NASENI’s commitment to reducing the cost of building materials and deploying affordable solar energy solutions to enable Nigerians to build and own homes.
Family Homes Funds Ltd is a limited liability company owned by the federal government of Nigeria and represented by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Mr. Halilu’s participation at COP28 underscores NASENI’s unwavering commitment to developing and deploying innovative homegrown technologies to address Nigeria’s energy challenges and promote sustainable rural electrification. The agency’s efforts align with the global agenda of combating climate change and ensuring equitable access to clean and reliable energy for all.