By Fatima Saka
LAGOS — Dr Imamuddeen Talba, Pioneer Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA-A), has called on the Federal Government to harmonise renewable energy and climate policies to end duplication and improve implementation in Nigeria’s energy transition.
Talba made the call on Thursday at the fifth International Investment and Partnership Conference of REEEA-A in Lagos, warning that fragmented policies across government institutions were slowing progress in the renewable energy sector.
According to him, overlapping responsibilities among ministries, departments and agencies had resulted in competing initiatives, with institutions pursuing separate policies rather than operating under a coordinated national framework.
“We have had disjointed policies about renewable energy and climate change across different government institutions, resulting in competing policies,” Talba said.
“That is why we are not moving anywhere. Everybody wants to go to different ministries and agencies, and eventually, everybody is doing his own thing.”
He urged the government to establish a harmonised policy framework across relevant institutions to provide clearer direction for renewable energy development, investment and climate action.
Talba also raised concerns over the influx of substandard solar and other renewable energy equipment into the country, saying poor-quality products had eroded public confidence and discouraged investment.
He recalled the constitution of a committee involving the Ministries of Finance and Power, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, urging it to ensure that imported renewable energy equipment meets internationally recognised standards before entering the Nigerian market.
“Most of the equipment do not work, and that is why people do not have confidence in them,” he said.
“You have a project that is supposed to last for 10 years, but within two or three years, it has stopped working.”
The renewable energy expert further called for a national policy on the management and disposal of expired solar panels and other obsolete renewable energy equipment to avert future environmental and health hazards.
He said REEEA-A should support government efforts to develop appropriate frameworks for safely managing renewable energy waste.
On climate finance, Talba urged Nigeria to adopt a more strategic approach to international climate negotiations by attending global conferences with comprehensive data, bankable projects and clear investment proposals.
“We go to these meetings, sign memoranda of understanding and come back without deliverables,” he said.
“We need a comprehensive presentation that will enable us access international funding.”
Talba cited South Africa’s success in attracting international support for its energy transition, saying Nigeria could improve its access to climate finance by strengthening its data and project preparation.
He also advocated stronger collaboration between government institutions, private-sector operators and other stakeholders to develop investment-ready climate and renewable energy projects.
Talba called for comprehensive data collection on Nigeria’s coastline to guide climate adaptation and investment planning, urging REEEA-A to work with relevant government agencies to assess coastal vulnerabilities and projected risks over the next 10 to 20 years.
“This will go a long way in providing the structure and information needed to address climate change challenges along the coastline,” he said.
Beyond policy reforms and climate finance, Talba stressed that Nigeria’s renewable energy strategy must shift from dependence on imported equipment to local manufacturing.
“We should start thinking about manufacturing renewable energy equipment in Nigeria. We have the necessary materials and everything required,” he said.
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He urged the incoming leadership of REEEA-A to provide effective direction and prioritise policy harmonisation, equipment standards, climate finance, local manufacturing and stronger stakeholder coordination.
Talba described the conference as an “excellent and commendable initiative” and congratulated participants, organisers and members involved in the election of the alliance’s new leadership.
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