Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reiterated his commitment to building an Independent Power Plant (IPP) in order to generate electricity power for sale and utilities to boost economic development as well as increase employment opportunities in the State.

The State Commissioner for Energy, Engr. AbdulAzeez Kola AbdulGaniy, disclosed this yesterday during the second quarterly Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing organised by the Ministry of Communications, Ilorin.

Engr. AbdulGaniy said all hands are on deck to generate energy supply in the State and go renewable by generating power through solar, therma and biogas in order to reduce air pollution thereby creating a healthy environment for residents.

The Commissioner explained that this was in line with the 2023 electricity bill passed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, which gives States the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity so as to boost economic growth and development as well as attract investors to the State.

Hon. AbdulGaniy enumerated several accomplishments of the State in the Energy Sector for the months under review, which include: procurement and installation of transformers in different communities in Asa, Moro, Ilorin West and Kaiama respectively.

He added that the “Construction of 11KV dedicated feeder from Agba-Dam, finalised arrangements on the immediate release of 15MVA 33/11KV power transformer to Alagbado and Sobi Communities, were already approved by the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.”

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is passionate about the needs of his citizenry as he will not leave any stone unturned. He has also approved the immediate installation of already allocated transformer to Reke in Asa Local Government Area for improved way of life for the community and its environs”, the Commissioner stated.

Lagos, Nigeria: Nigeria’s leading commercial bank and one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies, Sterling Bank, has changed the course of Nigeria’s energy and transportation sectors with the launch of Qore; its suite of renewable energy-powered transportation solutions. Qore will offer the purchase and financing of electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging stations, conversion of fossil-fuel-powered engines to EV engines, battery swapping services for modular EVs, and more.

Speaking at the launch of Nigeria’s first publicly available EV charging station in Lagos, CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said that the launch of Qore is a significant milestone in the bank’s journey towards powering Nigeria’s transportation sector with renewable energy.

According to Suleiman, “Qore will revolutionise the very idea of how we power movement by providing clean, sustainable and cost-effective options for individuals and businesses, while impacting positively on the sector’s environmental footprint.“

Also speaking at the launch, Group Head for Renewable Energy and Transportation at Sterling, Olabanjo Alimi, further explained that Qore focuses on improving mobility services in Nigeria by providing affordable and cleaner transportation alternatives to petrol and diesel powered vehicles. He described Qore as a “mobility project” that will offer a range of products, including the manufacture and sale of EVs, financing for the purchase and distribution of EVs, and mobility-as-a-service options to cater to first- and last-mile transportation.

Alimi said, “Qore will deliver innovative solutions through partnerships that provide sustainable energy options for vehicles through stations such as this. This will accelerate the adoption of clean mobility solutions that allow interested customers to buy EVs directly, or even convert their existing petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles to run on electricity.”

“Along with the readily available technology to convert petrol or diesel powered vehicles, Qore will drive EV adoption in the Nigerian market by providing charging infrastructure and battery swapping services to quicken the turnaround time of restoring power to EVs.”

He continued by saying that Qore had pioneered, along with the first publicly available charging station in the country, a proprietary payment solution that will allow for direct interaction with the battery management system of vehicles that charge up at the station.

The Group Head concluded by highlighting that this is a watershed moment for the Nigerian EV market, emphasizing Qore’s openness to partnerships and collaborations to increase the creation of EV infrastructure and adoption in the country.

The adoption of Qore’s suite of solutions is already increasing with the acquisition of 100 electric tricycles to power transportation in the Kano metropolis, as well as the conversion of diesel-engine ferries to electric power to improve the commute of individuals and businesses on Lagos’ waterways. The newly launched charging station adds another layer to the robust offerings.

Sterling has set itself apart as the first corporate organisation on the African continent to fully power up its offices with a renewable energy source by installing over 3000 Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels, generating 1 megawatt (1 MW) of electricity. This move will make the structure one of the largest on the continent, primarily powered by renewable energy, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to the growth and development of renewable energy in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the bank recently launched Imperium; an alternative energy solution, to power Nigerian homes and businesses through solar and renewable energy services tailored specifically for Nigeria’s peculiar energy needs.

Renowned for its now famous HEART of Sterling strategy; which focuses major investments in the Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation sectors of the Nigerian economy, its irreverent brand voice and enviable talent management practices, the bank recently completed a major milestone towards the completion of its transformation into a financial holdings company with the relisting of its shares on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The bank has maintained and increased momentum in 2023 with her citation as Africa’s Most Valuable Commercial Bank Brand for 2023 by the African Brand Magazine , in a poll conducted by GeoPoll and Kantar; two of the world’s leading brand research firms, a top three employer in Nigeria by LinkedIn in the social network’s annual Top 25 List, and most recently, one of the top 100 fastest growing companies in Africa by the prestigious Financial Times.

The closing ceremony of the maiden National Conference of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations (REEEA)-Alliance which took place at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday 2nd March  2022 with the theme: “Optimizing opportunities in the Energy Transition Value Chain”, went fruitful as lots of resolutions in the renewable sector was attained.

The Conference which had six (6) Plenary Sessions and six breakout sessions format with Panelists drawn among delegates, amongst topical issues discussed at the plenary sessions include, Mobilizing Investments for Clean Energy; The Green Hydrogen Initiative; Energy Transition: Policy Implementation for renewable energy and energy efficiency resources; Energy Transition: Organizational Perspective; Investment Opportunities in the Energy Transition Value Chain; The Role of Youth and Gender in the Energy Transition; Emergence of Indigenous PV manufacturing –Market Dynamics and Mechanisms, The Role of Research for Technological Development of the Renewable Energy Sector; Market Activation for Affordable Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Solutions-Prospects and Opportunities,    amongst others.   


At the end of the two day Conference, delegates resolved that: To support Nigeria Energy Transition Plan as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari during November 2021 Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow UK; That Nigeria can attain the Net Zero Carbon Emission Pathway by 2060 through more use of gas and solar energy power supply, enhanced penetration of Liquified Petroleum Gas for cooking in the households and services through laying a solid foundation for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas conversion in the transport sector; That most of the fossil fuels(petroleum products)should go to industries as raw materials; We commend the passage into law The Nigeria Climate Change Framework Bill (2021).

According to the Chairman Steering Committee, Dr. Imammudeen Talba while outlining resolutions reached at the event, he said,
“This piece of legislation will serve as a catalyst in our match towards zero-emission pathways; That renewable energy and energy-efficient sources remain a key input in Nigeria’s energy transition; That I should key into the emerging green hydrogen sources and its attendant value chain opportunities; That the youth and women should play a prominent role in the energy transition movement. This should be harnessed through funding, capacity development, and awareness creation amongst them; That the 2015 REEEP should be reviewed and updated to be in line with the present reality; We commend the Federal Government for the zeal shown at ensuring that renewable and energy-efficient sources of energy are mainstreamed as investment with private sector participation; That there should clear and result-oriented pathways in meeting up with the Nigeria’s revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

“This document is key to the realization of Nigeria’s zero emission pathways; There should clear cut roles and responsibilities amongst all energy regulatory and implementing agencies in Nigeria’s energy transition drive in particular, and zero emission pathways in general. There should be much focus from the government on the creation of synergies amongst MDAs in the energy sector; Request the Federal Government to constitute a team to study and align all the policy laws and regulations relating to climate change and renewable energy. That all the MDAs should not relent in their core mandate of driving the energy transition; That science, research, and innovation remain the key to the development of knowledge incubation in the energy transition space;  That the emergence of indigenous PV manufacturing plants in Nigeria will contribute towards boosting the renewable and energy efficiency markets, job creation, and sustainable development of the country;   That the market activation of affordable renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions will enhance access to these solutions amongst the populace, rural and urban; We commend the partners, NESP, GIZ, BMZ and Associations in the Alliance and the funders for a successful conduct of this event; That the Delegates resolve to support the government in her drive towards energy transition, while advising the government to provide the enabling environment for private sector participation.

” While the civil society and the media should be up and doing in disseminating clear information and strong oversight in the implementation of Nigeria’s energy transition plan; Need to have adequate local funding for Renewable Energy in Nigeria.”

The transition plan which was signed by Prof Abubakir Sani Sambo, Chairman, BOT, REEEA-A, Dr. Immamudeen Talba, Chairman Steering Committee, REEEA-A Prof Magnus C. Onuoha, Chairman Planning Committee, 2022 National Conference got the attention of the government as the federal government is open for collaboration in other to attain the zero emission in the nearest future.

The two-day event attracted dignitaries such as Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, Deputy Ambassador of Germany Martin Huth, Duke Benjamin, Head of Programme, Nigeria Energy Support Programme(NESP),  Mr. Christian Moenke Project Manager, BSW Solar. Also in attendance are Dr. Emma Fitzgerald, Independent NED SEPLAT Energy, and Expert Adviser to the World Economic Forum (WEF), MS Gina Elisa Lagunes Diaz, Head of the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office, amongst others. Also in attendance are heads of the critical Ministries, Department, Agencies(MDAs) such as Mr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, MD Rural Electrification Agency(REA); Dr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, MD/CEO Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) and Engr. Tukur Aliyu MD Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), The Honourable Minister of State Power Hon. Goddy Jedy-Agba and DG, Energy Commission of Nigeria(ECN),  Prof Eli Jidere Bala were ably represented, Private sector practitioners, academics, the civil society organization and media, diplomatic corps, development partners, among other numerous participants.