Nigeria Need To Tap Solar Energy For Power Generation – Bagudu.

Gbolahan Salman Sokoto

Kebbi State Governor,  Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said it is high time Nigeria explored it’s abudant solar energy to generate electricity .

Bagudu stated this on Monday at Sultan Maccido Quranic institute, Sokoto, during 38th National Solar Energy Forum ( NASEF) organised by Solar Energy Society of Nigeria in collaboration with Usman DanFodio University, Sokoto and Energy Commission.

The Governor who was a guest speaker at the forum  called on relevant stakeholders in the country especially chemical engineers to look into alternative energy at the localand State levels at the same time encourage research activities based on Nigeria’s local resources and challenges.

He further stressed that if energy researchers would not rise up to challenges Nigeria will remain a purchaser or  recipient of energy from foreign countries whom he said Nigeria had comparative advantage over them .

“As you all know Nigeria is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources with an average annual solar incident of about 1,831.06KWH with a total land area of 923,768km’2 he added.

On his part chairman of the occasion and minister of science and technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu represented by Director General of Energy Commission Professor Elijah J. Bala  said the theme of the event ” Solar Energy post Covid-19 Economy is apt and timely.

According to Onu, Covid-19 has ravaged  impact on Nigerian economy which it’s dependent on about 90 percent of it foreign earnings from crude petroleum export as a commodity due to crash in price of oil.

“It is a common knowledge that our economy has again gone into recession due to low demand in oil and consequent low price”.

He however said if the country is to make a meaningful progress and development is to embrace science and technology and innovation.

Onu disclosed that Buhari administration through Federal ministry of science and technology for the first time in the history of this nation , has place emphasis on science , technology and innovation as the instrument for sustainable development

He said Nigeria  Economic Sustainability plan ,2020 , put together to mitigate the effects of Covid19 on Nigerian economy, recognized the place of solar energy in reinvigorating the economy .

In his remark President of Solar Energy Society of Nigeria Prof IJ Dioha said if Nigeria renewable energy is harnessed it will revamp our economy and will create 250000 jobs for our teeming youths.

He called on executive and the legislature to make energy law to give standard that should be implemented.

Earlier the Vice Chancellor of Usman DanFodio University, Sokoto in his welcome address said Usman DanFodio University, Sokoto is a  hub of solar energy because of its comparative advantage of sunlight.

He advised governments to look into solar energy as a source of alternative power supply because of its cost effective

Notable Nigerians including Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto, Dr Muhammad Bello of Zamfara, Sen Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and others received award at the event. Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar was represented by Prof Junaidu Sambo the Waziri Sokoto