Transition process most critical to advancing energy security — Sanwo-Olu

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday described Nigeria’s ongoing energy transition as the most critical phase in the country’s quest to achieve energy security.

He said recent reforms that unbundled the power sector and granted states authority to generate and distribute electricity would help address the energy challenges faced by citizens. Speaking during the Under2 States and Regions Dialogue at the ongoing London Climate Summit, themed “Advancing Energy Security in a Volatile World,” organised by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Under2 Coalition, Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos State Government was committed to making significant investments in the energy sector.

The governor noted that the opening of the power sector to sub-national governments had created opportunities for states to actively participate across the electricity value chain, from generation to distribution. According to him, the reform would enable states to develop solutions tailored to their unique energy needs.

“I am from a country where I run a state of close to 25 million people, and until very recently, everything concerning power generation and distribution was centrally controlled. Last year, however, the sector was opened up, and states can now participate in the entire spectrum of power generation and distribution,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu explained that Lagos was already changing the narrative around energy sufficiency through innovative initiatives, including the deployment of mini-grid systems to serve smaller communities. He noted that nearly 45 per cent of the electricity generated in Nigeria passes through Lagos, making the state a critical player in the nation’s energy landscape.

He further revealed that the mini-grid projects had significantly improved access to electricity in several communities, with residents who previously received less than 12 hours of power daily now enjoying between 20 and 21 hours. According to him, the improvement has boosted productivity and strengthened local economic activities.

The governor also called for stronger partnerships and collaboration with local and international stakeholders to support power generation and distribution projects at the state level. He stressed that collective efforts would be crucial in addressing energy deficits and ensuring sustainable development.

In a related development, Sanwo-Olu announced Lagos State’s intention to host a Climate Action Week in September. He said the event would provide an opportunity for countries, investors and climate stakeholders to witness firsthand the environmental and sustainability projects being implemented in Lagos and across sub-Saharan Africa. According to him, Lagos is ready to serve as a model for climate action and innovation on the continent.